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Saturday, February 6, 2010

American Coot (Fulica americana)

I mentioned yesterday that I saw some larger, more distinctive birds while out at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary a few days ago. Here is one, an American Coot (Fulica americana). I can see why people become quite enthusiastic about bird-watching because I experienced a distinct thrill when I spied this bird poking about amongst the reeds that line the shore of Swan Lake, since I had never seen one before. (Or never noticed one before - which is pretty much the same thing.) These birds have been around for several hundred thousand years and remind me once again that I should look more closely at what I see instead of wandering around half-asleep.

5 comments:

Dean Lewis said...

".. wandering around half-asleep "
LOL

It is true though that to see these things, your 'alertness/awareness' has to rise. lol
Often, it means just staying in one spot, very still, and just waiting. I know we miss a lot as we trumble along oblivious to what we are passing. Very seldom do we just happen across such cool stuff at the exact moment of arriving.
Did I mention how Leonard Cohen came walking by me on the causeway last year? Only had to wait fifteen years, but it was worth it. LOL

JoJo said...

I had no idea the bird population was so diverse!

Three Rivers, Michigan said...

Nice photo of the coot, plants, the light glistening on the water - and I love watching the coots. They don't just dive, they leap into the air and pounce on whatever is underwater!

Stefan Jansson said...

A favorite bird. I have taken a few photos myself of this type of bird.

CE Webster said...

Nice picture. You're right sometimes we don't really see what is right in front of us. Glad you noticed this one.