Gallinule Among Hyacinth

Over the last several years Bayou Sauvage NWR has been a reliable location not far from home for getting various species in their natural environment. However for the past few years the population of many species, particularly the long legged waders, has dramatically declined. I believe that there are a couple of factors, the most likely being a combination of a less reliable food source, and in this case, the refuge has no apparent management plan for invasive plants like these water hyacinth, which in many areas have completely overtaken the open waters. After all, what little food sources like crawfish and other critters most waders rely on are either more scarce or just hidden under the quagmire.

This particular location is in a canal that has been completely overtaken. Fortunately for the Purple and Common species, plants are a food source, and they can easily navigate by walking effortlessly with their huge feet on top of all the vegetation. Last weekend was the first time I've found and been able to photograph a Purple, far less numerous here than their Common cousins. It was not a very good image in the bright sunny conditions, but the best I could manage. Full height original cropped to 4x5 aspect.

7D2 400 DO II +1.4X on Wimberley I, ISO 400 1/2500 f6.3 -1/3EV