The Common Gallinule (Note that American Ornithologist Union has split the American species from the Common moorhen and renamed it the common gallinule) lives in freshwater and brackish marshes with tall vegetation. It has long toes that make it possible to walk on soft and floating vegetation. It is a good swimmer in spite of not having webbed feet.
The spurs on the wings of the chicks allow them to climb into the nest or to grab vegetation.
Black-necked stilts are easily seen as they wade through shallow water on their long red legs.
On one of our driving loops we saw this stilt sitting on her nest. For some reason, I think she has a quite contented look to her.
It is amazing at how well camouflaged the chicks are in the marsh grass.
There were several families of black-bellied whistling ducks.
The parents give a sense of contentment as the ducklings sleep.
This was an older family where the coloration on the chicks seems older and a little different.
Even though it WAS hot, it was so much fun to be out enjoying the birds at Brazoria NWR.
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