If the Spoonbill had not initiated the nearby walk I would say this is too close. You never want to make an animal uncomfortable.
As the photograph shows he clearly was keeping a close watch of me. I took the shots and he kept going. I couldn’t ask for more than that.
Yes, he knows that you are there but he let you to take this photo!
That is one great moment!
Yes, like all the big wading birds they are very shy. The water level was low so food must have been easier and he was not missing out. LOL