Mud Hen

American Coots, sometimes called “Mud Hens” are the largest and most aquatic rails in North America. This means they spend a lot more time in the water swimming and diving compared to other rail species. That are among the most common and widespread water birds in North America. I have found it difficult to approach coots to make good images, especially out of the water. In my experience they tend to swim away as soon as they see a canoe or dive when they feel nervous. It was a memorable day in April when I was able to closely approach this coot. They stayed out of the water and allowed me to drift past as I photographed. The angle of this image shows their anatomy well, highlighting their jolly, roundish form and lobed, long toes which aid in walking on aquatic vegetation and in taking off in flight from the water. Coot water take-offs remind me of a loon’s and involve long paddling steps across the surface until they attain flight speed. One aspect I appreciate about these images is the sense they give of early spring in The Marsh. Muddy shores with dogwood and willow stems cut in the fall by beavers for winter feed piles are distinctive at this time of year. By mid-May the habitat changes dramatically as vegetation growth soon hides the banks and the coots.