An American Bittern strikes a pose

Just a video today as I spent the weekend out of state (more on that in a future post). American Bitterns are medium-sized herons with relatively small bodies and long necks heavily streaked in rich brown. They nest throughout eastern North America but can be quite elusive, blending in beautiful with their marshy environs. They freeze when attempting to hide their presence, tipping their bills up to further resemble cattails and reeds. They’re rarely out in the open, but during migration interesting things happen, especially in the big city. This American Bittern was in a North Side cemetery last week, hanging around a tiny pond.