While walking a trail at Resaca de la Palma Preserve during the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival, my sister, a local bird guide, and I paused to watch waterbirds spread across a broad marshy lake. Suddenly, a Common Gallinule came splashing down in front of us. With wings outstretched to slow its descent, it touched the shallow water in a spray of droplets, then ran across the surface before settling into a smooth swim. The birds unusually long toes—perfectly adapted for life in marshes—allow it to run over soft mud and floating vegetation, turning what looks like chaos into a beautifully controlled landing.
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