These Purple Gallinules were literally up to their knees in Water Lettuce, a troublesome invasive exotic plant (FWC), earlier this season.
The Purple Gallinule “readily accepts weedy conditions brought on by eutrophication and feeds on exotic weeds such as water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata).” (Birds of the World).
I’m watching to see if they’ll prefer munching on delicate purple Fireflag flowers like these instead, now that they’re in bloom. 💜💕
Birder's Journey 
Amidst the marsh, a colorful display, 🌾 Purple Gallinules in their watery ballet. 💜 Knees deep in Water Lettuce’s grasp, 🌱 A troublesome sight, in nature’s clasp.
Eutrophication’s embrace, they withstand, 🌊 Feeding on weeds from distant land. 🌿 Water Hyacinth and hydrilla, their feast, 🌸 In weedy conditions, a marshland beast.
Now, Fireflag blooms in purple hue, 🔥 A delicacy for gallinules, so true. 🌷 Watching closely, as nature plays, 🕊️ Gallinules’ preferences, in marshland arrays.
In the dance of seasons, where waters meet, 💧 Purple Gallinules, with agile feet. 🦩 A sight to behold, in marshland’s song, 🎶 Where nature thrives, all year long.
💜🌾🌱🌊🌿🌸🔥🌷🕊️💧🦩🎶
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Love this, Yishai – great descriptions of this beautiful world!
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Your photos show such amazing detail. Both bird and blooms are beautiful.
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Thank you so much for your kind words, Tanja!
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Eat the water lettuce! Eat the water hyacinth! You love the hydrilla! Eat the invasive plants!
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Love how you’re cheering them on, Amy!😁
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You caught the light perfectly in these photos of the beautiful purple gallinules, BJ.
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These gorgeous birds are so photogenic and so irresistible, Jet. Thanks so much for stopping by!
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Eutrophication? Wow!
that’s as pretty as the gallenule🐓
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Cool word, eh, Berny?!😉
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Love the colorful Gallinules. Their bill always reminds me of candy corn.
I keep thinking someone will figure out how to market that water lettuce so we can be rid of the stuff. (“Coming Soon To a Whole Foods Near You!”)
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The purple gallinules are just gorgeously.
Lol!! Good idea to get Whole Foods in on this!
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That red sure stands out. Wally’s likening of the beak to candy corn is right on.
I had to look up eutrophication: ‘the process by which a body of water becomes enriched in dissolved nutrients (such as phosphates) that stimulate the growth of aquatic plant life usually resulting in the depletion of dissolved oxygen.’
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lol… yes! I also had to look up the word eutrophication and it makes perfect sense in this situation. I had really wondered about them immersing themselves in the water lettuce. ☺️
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Spectacular birds – and your photographs of them and of the Fireflag are lovely.
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Much appreciated, Ann! They are always such a joy to spot in the marsh.
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Only had the privilege of seeing a PG once in my life while in Florida last year – I was mesmerized by their coloring, so much more brilliant than those Commons
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Such striking birds, very nice photos!
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Thank you, Belinda! These beauties are among my favorites. 🩵
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