I met this Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) over a month ago while touring the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive but I only recently found these photos on my camera.

This tiniest member of the North American heron family is often overlooked since it slinks through thick reeds instead of crouching over open water like it’s larger relatives. When threatened this slender bird will morph into “bittern pose”, stretching out its neck in an effort to blend in with the surrounding plants. That’s when those long stripes really come in handy!

That behavior is actually referenced in it’s binomial, the first part from Ancient Greek ixias refers to a reed-like plant, while the species name is Latin for slender.

In all my years of birding I’ve heard their distinct call multiple times but this is one of the very few times I’ve seen one and by far the best photo session. Thanks, little one!