Sometimes it takes a visitor to capture what you take for granted. I stumbled onto the photos of Raymond Barlow while doing a search on Lakeland. All this time here and I’ve never photographed a Purple Gallinule. Barlow travels down from Canada, visits Lakeland for the day, and gets a photo like the one at left. The advantage of talent over luck.
I wrote him to find out what brought him to Lakeland. It was the lure of the bird. Barlow’s friend, Orlando native Jack Rogers, had posted some photos of the Purple Gallinule. Barlow had to get a closer look. When the family came to Florida for a week at Disney, Barlow packed everyone up for a few hours on Lake Parker. He liked what he found, “We arrived around 9:30 am, February 10th, 2007 and really had a nice time visiting here… the park was clean, the people very friendly, and the birds were everywhere!”
“I took pictures while saying hi to the passers by, and worked very hard to try and catch some good action shots., My wife and partner Daisy would feed these birds, trying to get them to jump, and run across the water, while I crawled around in the wet grass attempting to catch a nice shot.” — Ray Barlow
Ray and family had a picnic, took a few more shots, and headed back to the hotel. Another productive day for a wildlife photographer and his family. You can find his favorite shots from the day in his Lakeland gallery. Don’t stop there. He’s got a great number of wonderful pictures in other galleries. During his week in Florida he also shot photos at Merritt Island and the Viera Wetlands.
Ray didn’t know about the recent gator attack on Lake Parker. Like any good Floridian, I sent him the information. Even after reading that he wrote, “We look forward to returning to Florida very soon I hope, and finding more interesting places, and nice looking birds to photograph.”
I’m looking forward to seeing those photos.
Bio: The short line? Father, husband, writer. My online presence is primarily through as the editor, writer, and occasional photographer for the news sites, Lakeland Local, a sampling of the news, concerns, and events for Lakeland, Florida, and Metro i4 News, which covers the Interstate 4 corridor in Central Florida. Both sites feature the work of myself and other contributors. As a hobby, I manage a forum and some web sites that feature a pulp fiction series written by Lester Dent -- Doc Savage Organized, Doc Savage Info, and Flearun.
Ray Barlow
3 years ago
Thanks Chuck for doing this report on my visit to Lakeland, I am honored by your very generous words.
kind regards, ray
PATTI
3 years ago
We have these on Lake Bonny & we hand feed them! They will even sit on your knees to take the bread out of your hand!
They are beautiful! They are so fun to watch too…running across the water while they flicker their wings.
Thanks for taking such beautiful pics..I used one for my desktop on the computer!
Bill Webb
3 years ago
Generally speaking, bread isn’t good for birds unless it is heavily laced with seeds. Even then, birdseed or other bird foods are better. Gallinules will eat various kinds of greens.
I have no problem with feeding wild birds — they’re not going to forget how to get “real” food if they need to; it’s hard-wired into them — but we should try not to screw up their dietary intake. This also true of the miscellaneous ducks that frequent our lakes and ponds.
tammy swofford
3 years ago
What a beautiful bird! I came to your site, from another site which also had a picture of the same bird, but not with wings flapping joyfully.
Thanks for putting a smile on my face in Dallas.
Tammy
Koz Bartow
3 years ago
Hi, Chuck. Fellow Lakelander who stumbled into your blog & became fascinated. This is an incredible picture — thanks for sharing it! I have suggested to Mark Stevens, host of Mayhem in the A.M. (WLKF 1430 AM) that he interview you on-air so Lakeland can find out about you.
Chuck Welch
3 years ago
Thanks, I appreciate the kind words. That is a great picture…and I want to remind everyone again the photographer, Raymond Barlow, has a website with many other wonderful photos.
Me on Mayhem in the AM? I think interviewing me would be better suited for “The Lullaby Hour.” God forbid I put people to sleep on their morning drive.