American Coot

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American Coot

March 25, 2013 by Mike Powell

Have you ever tried to take photos with an umbrella in one hand and your camera in the other? Mixed snow and rain fell during most of today and things were pretty quiet in the marsh today. I walked along the slushy boardwalk with an open umbrella, trying desperately to find something to photograph.

I was surprised to come across an American Coot (Fulica americana) for the first time in the park, although I saw lots of them earlier in the month when I was visiting in Georgia. This coot was by himself—I didn’t see any other coots and he was not hanging out with ducks either.

Posted in Birds, Nature, Photography, wildlife | Tagged American Coot, Canon 55-250mm zoom lens, Canon Rebel XT, coot, Fulica americana, Huntley Meadows Park | 7 Comments

7 Responses

on March 25, 2013 at 11:45 pm | Reply Charlie@Seattle Trekker

I use to come across hikers in the mountains who where strolling along in the rain with umbrella in hand. I have to admit I dismissed the practice then, but more recently I have become a firm believer that it is all about pleasant. If it helped you to get this wonderful photo then great.
on March 26, 2013 at 4:29 am | Reply Bren

Morning Mike, I think coots are fascinating birds to watch.. just love how big their feet are and they seem such a strong-willed bird that isn’t frightened of anything.

Now if this bad weather continues in the UK, I am thinking of getting myself an hands-free umbrella 😀

https://emporium24.de/euroschirm-umbrella-telescope-handsfree-p-72158.html?MEid=ve28q5hvkq991dmifg75mbg8a5
- on March 26, 2013 at 4:55 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks for the additional info about the coot. The hands-free umbrella looks pretty interesting, though I suspect that it could be a problem when there is wind. Yesterday my umbrella got turned inside-out when there was an unexpected gust.
  - on March 26, 2013 at 5:05 am Bren
    
    My husband used to work by a canal in London and he said there was a coot that ruled the canal.. the ducks, the swans had no chance.. this bird apparently even ruled the other coots… He said it was fun to watch the way he bullied the other birds.
on March 26, 2013 at 5:17 am | Reply Ed

Great shot, I just spent 3 days with my dad….who is an Old Coot..;-))
- on March 26, 2013 at 5:39 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  You know, Ed, that “Old Coot” is the first thing that I think of when I hear the word “coot,” not a bird. Do you think that young people today understand the expression?
on March 26, 2013 at 9:35 am | Reply Sue

Despite the nasty weather, spring seems to be in full swing in your area. That’s a plus, even with the occasional downpour.