What a nice surprise awaited me tonight, as I headed down the garden steps. Frenzied activity on the hillside, just on the other side of the fence and bird feeders... a sudden whirring of wings, accompanied by a croaking call - kuk-kuk-kuk - and I watched as four American Coots flew down to Lily Pond and disappeared in the pond-side brush. The mallards sometimes land on this banking, looking for cracked corn and spilled seed, but this is the first time I've seen Coots here. They occasionally frequent a nearby fresh water pond, but not our sizable swamp.
Photo: Courtesy www.weforanimals.comFor more information on this waterbird, go to 'All About Birds' at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The flock of resident Mallards wasn't thrilled with their guests. Last I heard, they were waxing vocal, quacking loudly at these unusual visitors. I will be on the lookout for a repeat performance... maybe they'll visit again, soon. Indeed, this is what makes swatting mosquitoes from the swamp, all summer, well worthwhile.
©Deb Lambert 2008
©Deb Lambert 2008
4 comments:
From the title, I was picturing an old guy wearing a hat with ear flaps & a flannel shirt. This is much better.
Very funny! That crossed my mind... that, or maybe the title was meant for the backyard birdwatcher (me), who's always taking inventory of the diverse visitors to these environs.
Anyway, I wasn't sure if referring to them as Fulica americana would be as meaningful as the common name. Have you ever seen these waterbirds up close? They have huge, gnarly chicken-like feet. I once fed some, in with a group of geese and ducks, so I got fairly "up close and personal."
But, before I even saw the 4 last night, that odd croaking squawk gave then away. It was a neat experience.
Deb, I'm trying to envision having a swamp nearby... at least within walking distance! How Great would that be?
:-)A much better vision than you in a hat with ear flaps & suspenders!:-)
Not only nearby, Shady, but right at the bottom of my hill. The hill is too steep to climb down (about a 35ยบ angle and LONG). I actually own a chunk of it, but of course, it's a protected wetland area... which means you get permission before doing anything, even the level area of your backyard, above the hill - well, at least some of us do... 'nuff said.
'Lily Pond' sounds a bit euphemistic, but #1) it's a really BIG ole swamp and #2) it was originally a fresh water pond, connected to a BIG pond, about a 3 minute walk from here; hence, the name. And it supported yellow water lilies, up until about 8 years ago. We still have bull frogs, spring peepers (no peeping, yet) and tree frogs.
As roads were built up and "improved" the connection between the two ponds was cut (probably around the 1920's or 30's). So, we have a swamp with a fancy-schmancy name. Last year, with the dry summer, it totally dried up in late July/early August. Some years, with better rainfall, it stays fairly full. It often seems more like a pond.
And, despite the Buick-sized mosquitoes, the area is so rich in wildlife - the water being such a natural attractant - that I do feel fortunate to garden swamp-side.
Ear flaps - no. Ear muffs, in winter - yes. And although my dad wore suspenders for years, I'm not tempted. This old coot favors T-shirts and baseball caps... the kind with the ponytail hole in the back. For now, it's sweatshirts and windbreakers... Deb
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