After shoveling more snow I wanted to go to my local pond to see what was there. My jaw dropped when I found a foraging leucistic American Coot. The light was dreadful because of the heavy, snow-filled clouds overhead. I took photos of the wonky looking coot anyway.

Foraging leucistic American Coot, Salt Lake County, UtahForaging leucistic American Coot – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 800, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The leucistic American Coot was way out on the pond but it was so unusual in appearance that didn’t matter much to me. It foraged by itself for aquatic vegetation in the dreary light and lightly falling snow.

Leucistic American Coot in low light, Salt Lake County, UtahLeucistic American Coot in low light – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 800, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I was happy to get the American Coot with the plumage aberration in front of an out of focus coot with normal plumage for comparison in the same frame. The odd coot chased off the normal one eventually. I just didn’t have enough shutter sped to capture the chase without blurry birds.

Leucistic American Coot in winter, Salt Lake County, UtahLeucistic American Coot in winter – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 1250, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I truly wish the light had been better and that the leucistic American Coot had been closer to me but I have waited a long time to take these photos. I’ve wanted to find a leucistic coot since the first time I saw a photo of one online years ago.

Now I have and I hope that this odd looking coot hangs around so I can take photos of it in much brighter light. It looks kind of pretty. The snowy white feathers mixed in with the normal dark plumage is interesting.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to view more of my American Coot photos plus facts and information about this species. Click here to see posts on other leucistic birds that I have found and photographed.