Would you have spotted him?

This is another image from my vacation recently. There is a small zoo in Myrtle Beach that has a nature trail which is home to thousands of birds. The trail only goes through a small section of the habitat but the birds are spread out over a huge area. We spotted this American Bittern (?) along the creekside resting. I had to do a double take to make sure it was a bird. It blended in so well. The first is a shot showing the bird in its habitat, the second is a crop of the bird itself. C&C welcomed and appreciated. Please provide advice for a guy still learning with only a 210mm lens.

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I'm sure I'd have missed him! It's a lovely shot - but I don't think it's a bittern - maybe an immature Night Heron? But I'm certainly no expert.

Nice shot, it doesn't look like you need any advice to me. I think it's a immature Black-Crowned Night Heron. I am also no expert.

Excellent shots...and well spotted.

Nice find of the juv Yellow-crowned night heron Mike. The nature camoflauge is amazing, isn't it?

Great shots Mike.

Nice shots Mike.

we have a similar looking (in shape) here, though this one is much more camoflaged.

well spotted and a great capture

nwyman wrote in post #2023513
I'm sure I'd have missed him! It's a lovely shot - but I don't think it's a bittern - maybe an immature Night Heron? But I'm certainly no expert.

Thanks for the comments and the ID. Looking back through my book I see that it does resemble the Heron after all.

Sp00ks wrote in post #2025430
Nice shot, it doesn't look like you need any advice to me. I think it's a immature Black-Crowned Night Heron. I am also no expert.

Haha. Advice is always welcomed, no matter what. Thanks for the comment.

Sindri Skulason wrote in post #2025679
Excellent shots...and well spotted.

Thank you Sindri.

cfcRebel wrote in post #2027730
Nice find of the juv Yellow-crowned night heron Mike. The nature camoflauge is amazing, isn't it?

Yes Fee it certainly is. I guess to grow up in the wild these guys have to blend in sometimes.

Paul A wrote in post #2027777
Great shots Mike.

Thanks Paul, glad you liked them.

Stephen Stephen wrote in post #2027818
Nice shots Mike.

Thanks Stephen.

wayne_eddy wrote in post #2029508
we have a similar looking (in shape) here, though this one is much more camoflaged.

well spotted and a great capture

Thanks Wayne.

Good eyes and nice capture Mike.

Reyno wrote in post #2032125
Good eyes and nice capture Mike.

Thanks Reyno. I bet if I walked through there again I wouldn't see it. Shows just how lucky I got.