I feel certain that the poolside mystery bird is a juvenile Great Blue Heron,
perhaps even a fledgling that can't even fly well yet.
Just about everything from the posture of the bird to the angle of the photo
makes the ID less straightforward, but nothing is really inconsistent with
Great Blue Heron.
Great Blues have really dark, slate blue flight feathers, and I think that is
what we are mostly seeing in the feathers other than the neck and head. The
bird is also sitting in a posture that I've seen nestlings assume when young.
The bill seems really black, but I think it is, again, just the angle, looking
down the top edge rather than in profile. Certainly the dark cap, gray cheek,
pale eyes, and gray neck also fit. OH, and the long black, toes.
Thanks to my ole buddy James Kiser for sending along the photo!
bpb, Louisville
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