This is a shot from about 7:00 AM at the Marine Park Nature Preserve. Not such a good shot, although i like the rock textures. I could not get closer than this to this bird. I spent so much time waiting for it to get "used" to me being there. It was fishing in the marsh water just below these rocks and as I inched up it finally flew up to the rocks. So I grabbed a shot for my efforts and left it be.
It seems to have the markings of an American Bittern, but this bird was only about 8 inches to a foot from head to toe as seen here. Maybe a Least Bittern? Green heron?
Still looks to me to have the markings of the American bittern, but a bit small for one.
What do you think?

WHAT DO I THINK?????

You mean.... Paul what do you KNOW it is ;)


JUVENILE GREEN HERON :) ID 'd from first summer by the dots on the trailng edge of the wing :D

LEAST BITTERN is VERY rare in nj/ny and NEVER will be this dark. the CORY's RACE of LEAST BITTERN shown in some books was last seen in the 1960's!!!!!!!!!!!

American bittern is 3x the height of a least and 2x the height of a green heron(which is more like 1.5 feet long and YES about a foot when crouching)

AMERICAN BITTERN YOU SAID???? :D

I will post one for YOU and PENNY since she COMPLAINED I haven't posted an image lately ;)

Thanks for your clearing it up for me.(AMERICAN BITTERN YOU SAID????)
No, just said it seemed to have similiar markings and coloring , But I knew it was way too small. It is real tough to get close to these birds, at least here where i usually look for them. This was taken with a 500mm zoom. Would not let me get much closer.