calling howard platt

I need the help of my friend Howard.


He seems to know the names of more birds than Bill Clinton.


From the moment we began pulling the water hyacinths out of the laguna, we saw new visitors to our small patch of open water.


The ibis, pictured above, was one of the first.  Or, at least, I think it is an ibis.  That large, down-turned beak is a pretty big hint.


The open water seems to give some wading birds an advantage at catching fish.  I have enjoyed that same bird-eye view:  watching the fish in the newly-cleared water.


This bird is a bit shy, though.  Every time someone approaches the laguna, it flies off to another spot.  In the case of my photograph, it decided to go on safari on a bed of sea lettuce.  (That almost sounds like a dish that would cost $50 each in a fancy San Francisco eatery.)


I have looked at my bird sources, but I cannot identify it.  Perhaps, it is a juvenile.


Anyone want to take a shot?

Howard?