{"id":7020,"date":"2013-01-05T05:59:58","date_gmt":"2013-01-05T12:59:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/?p=7020"},"modified":"2025-10-04T17:59:52","modified_gmt":"2025-10-04T22:59:52","slug":"american-coots-on-a-cold-winter-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2013\/01\/05\/american-coots-on-a-cold-winter-day\/","title":{"rendered":"American Coots On A Cold Winter Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"American American Coot’s large lobed feet – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1\/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light<\/span><\/p>\n

I am unable to pass up opportunities to photograph American Coots. They aren’t as majestic as raptors, they aren’t as cute as hummingbirds, and they certainly aren’t as colorful as Cardinals, Tanagers or birds from the parrot family, but they are great subjects.<\/p>\n

I believe every bird is a worthy subject.<\/em><\/p>\n

Photographing American Coots on a cold winter day walking on snow and ice was fun and challenging.<\/p>\n

Looking at the huge lobed feet of American Coots is enough to make me laugh. Yesterday I just could not resist these birds.<\/p>\n

\"American American Coot coming on to the ice from the water- Nikon D300, f6.3, 1\/1000, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light<\/span><\/p>\n

With every click of my shutter I am improving my skills as a photographer. I learn more about the subject and become closer to the natural world. Even when I mess up a shot I am learning.<\/p>\n

I’ve mentioned before that I enjoy challenges and American Coots<\/span><\/a> are definitely a challenge to photograph with their dark plumage and ivory-colored bills.<\/p>\n

Getting the right light and exposure is critical for bringing out the details in the plumage without blowing out the whites of the bill. Add snow-covered ice on a pond and that increases the difficulty.<\/p>\n

This coot makes me think of the popular game “Angry Birds” because it does look grumpy. I’ve never played the game, I have only seen the ads for it and the cartoonish “Angry Birds”.<\/p>\n

\"American American Coot walking on snow-covered ice – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1\/1600, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 357mm, natural light<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, I am addicted to bird photography but I am equally addicted to the birds themselves because each one is different and holds its own beauty.<\/p>\n

Life is<\/em> good.<\/p>\n

Mia<\/p>\n

Click here<\/span><\/a> to view more of my American Coot photos plus facts and information about this species.<\/p>\n

PS: My day started off at 7F yesterday and at the time this post is being\u00a0published it is currently\u00a06F!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Looking at the huge lobed feet of American Coots is enough to make me laugh. Yesterday I just could not resist these birds.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":159322,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[137,1022,697,26],"tags":[4004,4010,2772,2773,3983,4121,4064,4094,1984,4050,4095,373],"class_list":["post-7020","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-american-coots","category-davis-county-utah","category-farmington-bay-wma","category-utah","tag-adult","tag-american-coot","tag-coot","tag-coots","tag-frost","tag-fulica-americana","tag-ice","tag-marsh","tag-pond","tag-snow","tag-wetlands","tag-winter"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t