Bittern in the reeds

This normally shy and peaceful Bittern ( a member of the Heron family) had just raised its neck and feathers and chased away a coot (which is now submerged to the bottom left of the photo). The Bittern was once extinct in the UK, but is slowly making a comeback after being reintroduced some years ago. Taken at a nature reserve in Kent, England in 2022.

Image dimensions: 7063 x 3973 pixels