Sharing a boardwalk with a young night heron

I was mostly alone.

 
A guy on a bicycle was the only human I saw on a back trail at Baytown Nature Center on a 90-degree morning.

Then I saw this Night Heron on the right side of the boardwalk (below).

Other birds had taken flight when I approached the walkway. It is a no-fishing area so the shorebirds are less tolerant of people.

But this immature heron stayed.

Was it just curious? Defiant? Hurt?

 
We scrutinized each other.

I asked silently: "Is it OK if I pass by?"

This is the look I got.

Is that a yes?  Or is that no?