Subject: [Tweeters] Unusual Coots in Vancouver
Date: Mar 13 17:12:06 2011
From: Lyn Topinka - pointers at pacifier.com



hi all ... last fall I noticed an odd-headed Coot at my local pond
... being "only a coot" I basically thought "how interesting" and
then proceeded to ignore him, concentrating on the other more
interesting inhabitants of the area ... early this March, a second
"odd-headed" coot was there with the first guy ... I finally began to
take notice ... and take pictures ...

this weekend with the help of Scott Carpenter and then Ian Paulsen
leading us to a 1988 article by Don Roberson, the "odd headed" coots
have a name ... they appear to be "White-shielded American Coot morphs" ...

here's a webpage I've done up with images of both Coots, plus any
other Coot which just happened to show up on friday ... included on
this page are links to the above mentioned article if anyone is
really interested in Coots ...

http://columbiariverimages.com/Birds/KingsPond/kings_pond_odd_coots.html

these coots are at "Kings Pond" in Vancouver, Washington, and is
found via google maps ... this is a local "kid's feed the ducks" type
pond ... however it has limited viewing area and borders on private
property ... the easiest way to see the Coots is to scatter seed on
the road and EVERYONE on the pond comes squawking ... as I told
Scott, "a loaf of bread is more important than a spotting scope" (GRIN) ...

my thanks to Scott Carpenter for his help and enthusiasm, and to Ian
Paulsen for finding the article ...

Lyn
Vancouver, Washington



Lyn Topinka
http://EnglishRiverWebsite.com
http://ColumbiaRiverImages.com
http://RidgefieldBirds.com