Here's an image I took this evening. Shot this one all manual, and with a fill flash.

These are a very timid bird, and spend most of their time in the brush. Fortunately for me, he at least made a couple cameo appearances and I managed 3 shots of him. This is the first time I've ever seen one:
http://canonbob.smugmug.com/photos/149552196-L.jpg

Nice environmental for a handsome bird.

I've only encountered one once - in the dead of winter. It was unusual by other people's accounts as they should have all migrated from my area. Anyway, it would bury itself in the midst of bushes/hedges to make my approach nearly impossible so I know exactly what you're talking about. Like in your case, my bird did pop out once in a while so I could get an unobstructed shot.