Purple Gallinule

[ropawi]

Just got back from Florida. This Purple Gallinule was at Viera Wetlands.

[rpk717]

Paul,

Nice sharp image. These guys are beautiful. I'll never forget the first time I saw one, it was many years ago and I had never heard of them. I only saw it for a few seconds before it jumped back into the cover. The people with me did not see it and would not believe the description. After a time I even questioned myself.

[Photobiologist]

Great image, I like the way the colors on the gallinule match both the water & the land...

[mrsisu]

Really a spectacular bird and difficult to photograph. Can you tell us a bit more about the Viera Wetlands. Have read a little about it and hope to visit there in Feb.

[ropawi]

Viera Wetlands is a great place. There are several ponds that are part of a waste treatment plant. You can drive or walk around the ponds. Most of the Birds are close to the edges. The weather was bad so I didn't get many good shots, but I hope to go back with the group in February.
Here is a list of some of the birds we saw.

Bald Eagle Lots of Coots
Purple Gallinule Grebe
Glossy Ibis And a variety of ducks
White Ibis
Moorhen
Crested Caracara
Anhinga
Red Shoulder Hawk
Great Blue Heron
Little Blue Heron
Green Heron
Limpkin
Hooded Merganser