GALLINULES
There are three birds that to my simple mind are gallinules: purple gallinule, common gallinule (formerly called a swamphen) and gray-headed swamphen. They all have the same scientific naming roots.
Purple gallinules are likely the most colourful bird in the area, except maybe the painted bunting.
They, and the other two types, have huge feet. The purple gallinule has a single set of white tail feathers.
The common gallinule lacks the colour, has two sets of white tail feathers but shares the same large feet.
The gray-headed gallinule, a new one to me, is an escapee, originally from Asia. Same large feet, as colourful as the purple gallinule, but with a solid bright red forehead "plate"
Maybe they'll take the prize for the biggest feet?
COOTS
A very common water bird. Neophytes might mistake them for ducks on a quick first glance. They are rarely seen alone. Usually in "rafts" of a few or many.
They will run on the water to cover shortish distances, rather then fly.
In the shot below, in addition to the one bird, there are four trails left by other coots seconds before.
PIED GREBE
There were a good number of grebes to be seen. Hadn't seen apparent pairs before, but I suspect it was the breeding season for them as well.
SORA
Soras are a bird in good numbers but rarely seen.
They spend their time at the water's edge, normally within the reeds.
We were photographing a green heron when we saw movement of another well camouflaged bird nearby. It was a sora.
