A common year round resident in the Lowcountry. And still, I hardly ever get a chance for a decent photograph.
I noticed a few along the edge of a swamp/marsh area, assuming they would be long gone when I found an opening in the tall grass.
Surprise, a couple stayed right there waiting.
We used to hear these a lot here in the Spring on the Canadian prairies — not so much now with urban sprawl.
I do like seeing their red eye, but if they detect you they are so noisy it gets all the other birds all crazy like ha.
Same as a Gallinule. Loud and no way to sneak around them.