Crazy about Coots. (56k warning)

[ngannet]

I stopped by a small lake last week in Belmar, NJ. This is a lake surrounded by houses and within viewing distance of the ocean. Love it there. There are so many lakes throughout the area and they all are surrounded by houses, and the birds which are normally quite skittish, are tolerant of human activity. Even Hooded Mergansers are more approachable. I was driving by and these guys were feeding right along the edge of the road. I included the second one because you can see the road in the BG. Can't wait to get back there and see what else Winter brings.

http://www.pbase.com/ngannet/image/71485909.jpg

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http://www.pbase.com/ngannet/image/71485911.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/ngannet/image/71485929.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/ngannet/image/71486261.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/ngannet/image/71486263.jpg

[seanm]

Superb shots, all of them. There is a great atmosphere in these, well done.

[canonloader]

You got lucky, I've never seen a Coot out of water. Great shots, all of them. They look like a bunch of chickens. Wonder what it is they're eating. :)

[ngannet]

Thanks guys. Canonloader: I've never seen them feeding like that either. I thought they were a bunch of guinea hens or something til I pulled over. Whatever they were eating, it must have been plentiful. The flock numbered close to 50 I'd say and they weren't too concerned with me.

[canonloader]

Well, I think you got incredibly lucky. Not with these birds, but finding and making the connection with the little neighborhood lakes. I bet it turns into a treasure trove over the winter. :)

[dancinec]

Very nice series of coot shots, they are eating the grass. The coots are real problem around golf courses because of the divots they create as they feed and of course, the waste products left behind. I have had coots chase me in public parks because they thought I was going to feed them.

[ngannet]

Yes, these areas and also along the coastal jetties and into the ocean makes it a well-known winter spot. In the summer, it is unbearably crowded and relatively birdless, but in Winter, it has hosted some of the most sought-after birds. In this very lake with the coots, one year an Ivory Gull was found. An extremely rare find in NJ or anywhere really other than pack ice, where it is basically non-migratory. Doubt I'll ever get that lucky! I'm happy to get close to the coots, mergansers and wigeons that are common in this lake.

[ngannet]

Very nice series of coot shots, they are eating the grass. The coots are real problem around golf courses because of the divots they create as they feed and of course, the waste products left behind. I have had coots chase me in public parks because they thought I was going to feed them.

Ha! I never heard of coots chasing people...wow, they are really unafraid of people then. I guess they were eating the grass, never saw them do that before on land. Thanks for the comments!