Common Gallinule among the lily pads at Green River this morning.

I walked the dogs along the dike at the wetlands there. It was an unseasonably cool 65 degrees with a strong northwest wind, due to Hurricane Ian passing from the west to the north of us yesterday.

The Category 4 hurricane was a terrible blow to the Gulf Coast 100 miles to our west. We escaped with a little extra yard work and a pool full of leaves.

Gallinules look a bit like ducks, until they “stand up.”

They are members of the rail family and their long toes help them walk on top of floating vegetation and mud. I think this one is standing on lily stems.

Help with hurricane relief here: Hurricane Ian – Volunteer Florida.