An American Coot:
One of the main advantages of being an old coot is that I get to go out and play and take pictures of American Coots, and more, while you’re probably stuck inside at work.
Although today’s sunshine didn’t reach the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge until nearly 2:30, when I had to leave, it didn’t rain at all. Needless to say, after nearly a month of rain, and rain predicted for the next two days, it was a great day.
For awhile I thought I might have to settle for this close-up of a Bufflehead duck, which was all right with me because it’s probably the best shot I’ve ever taken of one because I’ve never managed to get this close before:
Still, my heart gave a leap when I discovered a family of four otters playing in the small creek that ran along the trail:
I did have a number of problems getting clear shots of them because of the underbrush between us, but I sat and watched them for nearly five minutes as they played and hammed it up for the camera.
One of them actually seemed to take pity on me and emerged from the creek to show just how handsome he really was:
I’ve been looking for these guys off and on for nearly six months now, but the wait made the final encounter even more special.