Purple Gallinule

The Purple Gallinule is such an outrageously colored bird, that I have been wanting to see one for a while. They turn up in the Midwest, but they are truly at home at Okeechobee. There is always a pair near the observation pier, and one is always on the nest. Despite being so gaudy, she does well at hiding. It is cool to see their long yellow toes and how well they navigate the floating plants.