Tuesday, April 16, 2013

American Coot/Wild Bird

Public display of affection

If you went to a very strict school - as I did - you'll understand my shock get the joke about my capturing this "public display of affection."

These are two American coots (Fulica americana), proof that not every bird that swims is a duck. 

Swimming off to her nest?

Truth be told, I had never seen one out of the water before. The second photo in this set seems much more familiar.

Contemplating the future?

Apparently on land they look more like chickens than ducks, but these coots never let me see them walking around.

I am joining Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE

at

55 comments:

  1. JeanneApril 16, 2013 at 6:23 AM

    Awww, making her nest! Such lovely birds!

    ReplyDelete
  2. LowellApril 16, 2013 at 7:36 AM

    I didn't know that. I think I've seen Coots here. Oui?

    And you're just plain silly: alligators don't cover themselves with duck feathers, unless of course, they forget to wash after dinner.

    ReplyDelete
  3. JillApril 16, 2013 at 7:38 AM

    I adore the contrast of the black heads and white beaks. Lovely shots.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousApril 16, 2013 at 8:11 AM

    Nice photos of the coot.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Buttons ThoughtsApril 16, 2013 at 8:21 AM

    I have never seen "An Old Coot":) or a young one either. Great shots. B

    ReplyDelete
  6. MadSnapperApril 16, 2013 at 8:22 AM

    i did not know there was a bird named coot. mother called daddy the old coot a lot... so I guess that makes him an American Coot.. i like that 3rd shot

    ReplyDelete
  7. DarlaApril 16, 2013 at 8:55 AM

    Like others said, "Old Coot" is a familiar family phrase. Nice to see the original.

    Darla

    ReplyDelete
  8. Judy April 16, 2013 at 8:55 AM

    I have to say this is one I have never seen or heard of before. Great shots!

    ReplyDelete
  9. rainfield61April 16, 2013 at 9:33 AM

    Chicken or duck?

    Duck or chicken?

    It is just a name.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sallie (FullTime-Life)April 16, 2013 at 9:51 AM

    We get rafts of coots in the fall at "our" lake in Oregon...I enjoy watching them...but have never seen them in the spring (thus missing the PDA ;>)

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousApril 16, 2013 at 10:29 AM

    I had the luck, a couple of weeks ago, to see them on land. Here's a link, if you'd like to see their huge feet!
    http://www.shewhocarriescamera.com/2013/04/cruising-part-deux.html

    ReplyDelete
  12. TexWisGirlApril 16, 2013 at 10:31 AM

    they are such unique birds!

    ReplyDelete
  13. KarenApril 16, 2013 at 11:18 AM

    Funny looking birds, I do like the white beak.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Coloring Outside the LinesApril 16, 2013 at 11:22 AM

    I've never seen one walking around before either- cool!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Gail DixonApril 16, 2013 at 11:50 AM

    Come to think of it, I've never seen one waddling around here either. Very nice compositions.

    ReplyDelete
  16. HansHBApril 16, 2013 at 12:22 PM

    Great photos, cute bird!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Kenneth Cole SchneiderApril 16, 2013 at 12:31 PM

    Underrated for its lack of color and cranky ways, your photos show the subtle beauty of the lowly coot! Very nice.

    ReplyDelete
  18. SnowcatcherApril 16, 2013 at 12:36 PM

    I love the reflection in the second shot. I've known of coots, but I don't think I've ever seen one in real life, so it was fun to see them in their environs.

    ReplyDelete
  19. CarlettaApril 16, 2013 at 12:45 PM

    Love those wavy reflections in the second shot as well.
    Yep, when I was in school there were no PDA's allowed. Holding hands wasn't much encouraged either. :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. RedPatApril 16, 2013 at 1:34 PM

    You get the greatest bird shots!

    ReplyDelete
  21. SusanApril 16, 2013 at 1:35 PM

    Never been close enough to see them very well. Love the photos!

    ReplyDelete
  22. The CrankyApril 16, 2013 at 2:11 PM

    Nothing like a couple of silly old coots in love!

    ReplyDelete
  23. MalyssApril 16, 2013 at 2:24 PM

    They strangely seem to be a mix between ducks and hens. Never saw such birds.
    I was surprised by your below post, ice in april?!!as you say, enough is enough!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Rosemary AubutApril 16, 2013 at 2:27 PM

    Lovely shots, great composition, color and light! Gorgeous birds!

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousApril 16, 2013 at 2:52 PM

    Beautiful photography of the coots ~ love the captions too ~ ^_^

    Thanks for asking ~ we are all okay gratefully ~ ^_^

    Crazy world it is becoming.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Phil SladeApril 16, 2013 at 2:58 PM

    I think they call that "Doing what comes naturally" despite their religious or secular upbringing. Good work EGG.

    ReplyDelete
  27. MaggidApril 16, 2013 at 3:46 PM

    I Love, Love, Love your blog.
    I didn't know a coot was a bird . .
    Have you ever heard someone say, "You Old Coot!"

    I wonder what they mean.

    Wonderful day to You,
    -g-

    ReplyDelete
  28. NatureStopApril 16, 2013 at 3:57 PM

    Great shots!Have a great day!

    Shantana

    ReplyDelete
  29. kayerjApril 16, 2013 at 4:21 PM

    sweet pictures--spring is coming.

    ReplyDelete
  30. NancyApril 16, 2013 at 4:21 PM

    Perhaps you'll also see some offspring!

    ReplyDelete
  31. mickApril 16, 2013 at 4:28 PM

    Great photos of the Coots among the reeds.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Carole M.April 16, 2013 at 4:54 PM

    you picked up some sweet shots of the coots

    ReplyDelete
  33. eileeninmdApril 16, 2013 at 5:23 PM

    Cute post! Great shots of the Coots! If you ever see them out of the water check out their crazy looking feet.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hootin AnniApril 16, 2013 at 5:38 PM

    I'm hoping real soon, that one area that these coots are so abundant, that I'll spot some babies!!

    ReplyDelete
  35. DeniseinVAApril 16, 2013 at 6:20 PM

    Those are lovely photos and such cute birds.

    ReplyDelete
  36. NatureFootstepApril 16, 2013 at 6:28 PM

    very different from our cots. Nice to see it.

    ReplyDelete
  37. LifeRamblingsApril 16, 2013 at 8:50 PM

    such beautiful coots.

    ReplyDelete
  38. SandyCarlsonApril 16, 2013 at 10:20 PM

    These are some cozy coots!

    ReplyDelete
  39. LONDONLULUApril 16, 2013 at 10:31 PM

    Very lovely to see and a sweet sight for the day - thank you for your kind words re: Boston today, especially as you've lived there and know what the marathon means.

    ReplyDelete
  40. StephanieApril 16, 2013 at 10:45 PM

    Aha, now I know what bird it was that I photographed on the weekend. Nice shots!

    ReplyDelete
  41. AnonymousApril 16, 2013 at 11:32 PM

    What lovely pictures of the coots! And sweet to see them necking like that...

    ReplyDelete
  42. CindyApril 17, 2013 at 12:04 AM

    Great shots.

    ReplyDelete
  43. AnonymousApril 17, 2013 at 3:33 AM

    Love birds in disguise!

    ReplyDelete
  44. isabella kramer - vereditApril 17, 2013 at 4:11 AM

    Springtime everywhere - love the conception.

    sincerest
    veredit

    ReplyDelete
  45. Minoru SaitoApril 17, 2013 at 6:25 AM

    Hi! These birds look very unique.
    I enjoyed your post very much.
    Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  46. IndraniApril 17, 2013 at 10:56 AM

    There may be some eggs there in the nest.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Small City ScenesApril 17, 2013 at 11:19 AM

    Excellent. That first picture looks like staged art. Great. I like these shots.
    We have plenty of Coots out this way too. MB

    ReplyDelete
  48. PerthDailyPhotoApril 17, 2013 at 11:53 AM

    PDA's amongst the birdlife, shocking EG..did you feel a little like the paparazzi zoning in on these stars :) I love watching the coots!

    ReplyDelete
  49. A Colorful WorldApril 17, 2013 at 2:13 PM

    Lovely photos of the coots!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Debra at HOMESPUN: http://www.thehomespun.com April 17, 2013 at 6:20 PM

    I had never even heard of this bird!!

    Learn something new every day! :)

    ReplyDelete
  51. NeilApril 17, 2013 at 8:25 PM

    Great series.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Stewart MApril 18, 2013 at 6:36 AM

    If these are like the Coots here, they are bad tempered!

    But they are fun to watch!

    Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW.

    Stewart M - Melbourne

    ReplyDelete
  53. ArijaApril 18, 2013 at 7:01 AM

    Beautiful to behold with the broken reed mirrored in the water.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Mary Howell CromerApril 18, 2013 at 7:41 AM

    American Coot, and now I know the answer to my question. These are all wonderful images and this past Winter we have had some of these birds on a lake near us. I cannot get very close as you have, but had some images to share. I was not absolutely certain that they were Coots, but with your excellent share, I am convinced.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Wally JonesApril 18, 2013 at 6:06 PM

    Nice post on a great, but often overlooked water bird!
    Loved it!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting my little corner of the world. I hope you enjoyed your stay here. Please leave a comment before you leave so I can visit your blog.