Purple Gallinule: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, Florida, USA, January 2025 — The same Purple Gallinules were still feeding in the floating weeds along the edge of Alligator Alley when we came back around on the tour cart in the afternoon. Gotta love those feet! Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Green Heron: Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, Florida, USA, January 2025 — This is the most common posture of the Green Heron…with its long neck folded down under the feathers so it looks like a much smaller bird. Part of its particular charm in the heron family. This was taken from one of the tour carts that circle the wetlands many times a day. After my Point and Shoot for Birds and Wildlife class, I decided to eat my lunch and then get on the next tour. My first time enjoying the Wetlands on wheels, and I can highly recommend it. The tour guides/drivers are all volunteers, and they are out around the wetlands at least a few days a week, so they know where the birds, and other wildlife, are. And, while walking the berms has its own advantages, the ride was very much appreciated. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Blue-grey Gnatcatcher: Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, Florida, USA, January 2025 — We found this little Blue-grey Gnatcatcher in the thicket (hummock?) at the corner of Otter and Night Heron, along with a few Yellow-rumped Warblers, and I got to practice my bird-in-the-brush techniques. I need all the practice I can get 🙂 Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 @ 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Black Vulture: Orland Wetlands Park, Christmas, Florida, USA, January 2025 — As in Count Dracula. There are hundreds of Black Vultures nesting in and around Orlando Wetlands, and this one was catching some late morning sun. Hard to resist the pose. 🙂 Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Grey-headed Swamphen: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, Florida, USA, January 2025 — Just down the berm from the Purple Gallinules, a couple of what used to be the Purple Swamphens were feeding on the floating vegetation. This is most likely the Grey-headed Swamphen, formerly a sub-species of the Purple, now considered its own species. Swamphens are native to Europe, Africa, Asia, and New Zealand, but a population has become established in Florida over the past few years. No one knows quite how. And if you thought the Gallinule had long toes, check out the toes on this bird…necessary to support is extra weight (it is a size bigger than a Gallinule) on the floating vegetation. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Palm Warbler: Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, Florida, USA, January 2025 — The warblers were few and dull at Orlando Wetlands in January…mostly Yellow-rumps and Palms in their winter plumage. This one was along the edge of the berm on Alligator Alley while I was photographing the Gallinules. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Purple Gallinule: Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, Florida, USA, January 2025 — It is not hard to find a Purple Gallinule at Orlando Wetlands. They are not as common as the Common Gallinule (no surprise there 🙂 but there are good numbers of them, and they are often quite close to the berms, feeding in the floating vegetation along the shore. When the sun is out full, they are a sight to see. And you have to love (or at least admire) those toes! Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Limpkin: Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, Florida, USA, January 2025 — An ancient bird, highly specialized to eat Apple Snails, so its own range is restricted to that of the Apple Snail. That beak is adapted to be just the right size and shape to pluck the snail out of its shell. I watched this Limpkin work that magic several times at Orland Wetlands. It is always a struggle, but the Limpkin seems to manage it often enough to thrive. I looked up Limpkin to see where the name comes from. Apparently early settlers observed that some Limpkins appear to limp as they move among the floating vegetation. I can’t say that I have ever noticed, but there you have it. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.