I spotted him last minute as he jumped up from the reeds.

I have found if I don’t get good focus, right away, don’t even bother to shoot.

Even with my good Sigma or Canon lens all the grass, shades, etc will cause a problem. My Tamron I use with a clear background since I can never focus on something like this.

I think good focus on this is when I can see the definition in the white wings and feathers.