A few days ago, I was able to photograph one cute coot scooting past me at my local pond on a bright sunny Utah morning. The action tickled my funny bone.

Cute Coot scoot, Salt Lake County, UtahCute Coot scoot – Nikon D500, tripod mounted, f8, 1/1600, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

This American Coot was being chased by another coot that was outside of my view on the left side of the frame. We can’t see the chaser, only the chasee.

I saw and photographed several coot chases that morning but this series of images made me smile the most.

Coot scooting on a fall morning, Salt Lake County, UtahCoot scooting on a fall morning – Nikon D500, tripod mounted, f8, 1/1600, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

It was as if this coot knew I was taking photos of it, so it gave me the best eye contact, scooting poses, and splashing water that it could. I couldn’t help but laugh as I took photos of the scooting coot.

Maybe the other people at the pond heard me laugh, maybe they didn’t. That really didn’t matter to me because I couldn’t stop my laughter.

Scooting Coot being chased, Salt Lake County, UtahScooting Coot being chased – Nikon D500, tripod mounted, f8, 1/1600, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The series of this scooting coot was only nine images long, I selected the first three photos to share this morning. The chase happened fast and ended just as quickly.

I’m fortunate that the American Coots at my local pond are so active, apparently that is not always the case with this species. Sometimes coots in other locations just float around, eating, and not doing much else.

The coots at my local pond get cranky, fight for feeding territories, chase each other, squabble, squawk, and scoot. They sure keep me entertained and I like that.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to view more of my American Coot photos plus facts and information about this species.