American Coot with food – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
After I finally got my site moved to the new server I took a much needed break and went to the local pond to see what birds were there in the late afternoon light. The north wind was bitter cold and it made my fingers smart but it felt so good to be away from my desk and the computer screen.
The birds that came in the closest were Pied-billed Grebes and American Coots so I focused on both species as they dove under the water in search of food.
American Coots are almost always amusing to me because coots make a lot noise, they squabble often, they fight, can be messy eaters, they have large, funny looking feet and catching some of their behaviors in photos can be fun.
One of the American Coots brought up a bill filled with aquatic vegetation so I focused on it because I know they can look funny while they are trying to gulp down their food. I wasn’t disappointed when the coot shook the water off of the green vegetation it had brought up from the bottom of the pond. Water droplets were flying everywhere.
American Coot vigorously shaking its food – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
At home when I could see the photos I had taken on a much larger screen I nearly choked on my laughter when I saw this image of the coot vigorously shaking its food, the coot almost looks cross-eyed and I wasn’t aware that they could physically do that.
Spending just a few minutes outside in the clear air photographing an amusing American Coot was exactly what I needed after spending so much time at my desk during the move to the new server.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my American Coot photos plus facts and information about this species.
Great shots! The second one made me guffaw out loud! 😀
Funny photo I am glad you caught it . Many birds can see that way, I am not sure how clearly. Some can see even better when they open their beak and look down between the mandibles. I don’t know if you can get that shot in the wild. Possibly with a great blue heron, egrets or bitterns. You would have to be head on when they are tossing the food up and positioning it to swallow. Have you watched American Bitterns, they seem to always be looking under their beaks with the beak pointed up in the air. It gives them a snobby look. It all make me smile.
I have seen the funny behavior often in the rehab when we have to feed birds who are not self feeding due to health conditions.
Big smiles – and thanks.
Cool photos Mia
The photo of the coot shaking his food is hilarious ! Thanks ,Mia…that definitely brought a smile to my face this fine morning! Thanks again….
The photos of the Coot shaking his food are great!