A Sunday Morning Walk to Newton Park

This past Sunday morning we took a longish walk to Newton Park on the shores of Lake Apopka here in Winter Garden.  This park is about five miles round trip from our RV park.  Barry had already walked here several times this season, but I had usually been busy with laundry and working out in the park's gym when he took his walks here, so this was the first time I had joined him.  I couldn't resist going along this time as it was such a gorgeous day and a pleasant walking temperature.

The pretty spring flags were flying brightly on this breezy March morning.

​Here we are on the shores of Lake Apopka, matching the blues of the water and sky perfectly.  We actually didn't plan it that way, but it worked out well for the photos! 

The seagulls were enjoying a Sunday morning communing...until we spooked them by getting too close.

Two types of Gallinules, Common and Purple, are year-round residents along these shores.  Here's the Common, with his bright red beak and mid-face.  He is also known as the Common Moorhen.

The Gallinules, among other shorebirds, enjoy shelter in these grasses and aquatic plants.  You can hear them even when you can't see them.

As Barry walked on ahead (on the right in the photo above), I dawdled and was rewarded with the sight of this glorious Purple Gallinule searching for his breakfast.  His iridescent feathers of blue and green and bright yellow legs glowed in the sunshine.  So exotic!

He found something good to eat!

It was a perfect day and time for a walk and refreshing to get away from the constant humanity surrounding us at the busy RV park.  We'll have to do this again!