Every fall hundreds of coots stop off in the Minneapolis area on their way south. At Medicine Lake near where I live, I love to see them bobbing and swimming at the edge of the lake and in marshes near the lake.
For some reason I am endlessly fascinated with these birds.
Perhaps it's their compact size or the fact that they are somewhat like ducks but also quite different from ducks.
It seems like they are always foraging and eating. It takes a lot of energy to migrate and their stop-over in Minneapolis allows them to fuel up before heading further south.
Look at the beak and bright red eye on the middle coot.
Look at the size of those feet! Aren't they amazing?
I'm always sad when they leave because it means that winter will arrive soon.
I find them beautiful and intriguing and love to watch them.
Credits:
Photos by Marilyn Lamoreux Photography LLC, Minneapolis, MN