[obol] Least Bittern-probably not?

[Lars and Gail Norgren]

      Proceed with caution before you become
another Fourth of July statistic in pursuit
of the greedy eater of mistletoe. Greg Gillson
sent me several pictures of a bird I presume
he photographed at the same site as the putative
least bittern. They are extremely detailed,
some showing plenty of down on the crown. A
juvenile Green Heron. This was the only alternative
I considered when making the id. I eliminated it
based on the very pale color of the bird and its
size(I had a mallard and a kingfisher close by).
I'm very curious to know if Greg got closer, or
simply possesses some august technology. Perhaps
the mid-day lighting made the down more evident.
His pictures make it look like the bird was in the
ditch right next to his car.
Lars Norgren
Manning Oregon