Youngster Looking Around

I got a few brief looks at this juvenile little blue heron as he was fishing in the salt marsh. I say brief look because he didn't stick around long.
That's a shame because I really like these attractive and interesting wading birds.

At a quick first glance they appear almost identical to the similar sized snowy egret.
But the snowys start life all white and remain all white throughout their lives.

The little blue heron begins it's life all white but will gradually turn into a patchwork of blue and white as it becomes a 'tweener'.
Then it will eventually become a nice looking all blue adult with some spiffy maroon accents.

Looks like he might already be getting some darker tail feathers. 

Cool, fun birds.