Morning coffee on our pond. This is not a special wildlife-attracting pond. It’s just a little decorative pond with mown grass around it. In flies a purple gallinule, lands at the edge of the pond, take a drink, and proceeds to walk all around it, nibbling. That was probably the first time he touched ground in 600 miles; flying across the gulf. A southern swamp bird that walks around on floating vegetation. Not wary or skittish at all today; too tired. Just needs a drink, something to eat, and some rest. A purple gallinule. Right out in the open. How cool is that?
Of course the coot had to paddle straight over to check him out.