Paddybird (breeding plumage)

As I was returning from a walk I spotted this bird outside my neighbour's house. All the houses have rainwater drains outside the boundary wall and weedy roadside verges. There are 2-3 large lakes nearby and during the monsoons water overflows into these drains. Usually tiny murrels are common..snakes use these drains as highways...I hope this heron had a good breakfast...it was definitely stalking something.