Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Coots and Seahawks at Coulon Park
It’s been a busy week, but I managed to get out for a walk on a beautiful, blue winter’s day.
I came across a covert of Coots feeding in the grass,
and admired their unique feet.
Then I saw the walkers, dressed up for the big event.
The Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots meet again in the Superbowl, this weekend.
Go Seahawks! š
~ Susanne
P.S. Update: About those strange coot feet! Here’s what the Audubon website says,
“While its shape might look strange to the human eye, the curious configuration of the coot’s foot makes the bird adept at getting around both on water and on land, unlike most other waterfowl. Comparable to webbing on a duck’s foot, the palmate toes help a coot push through the water. On land, the lobes fold back when the bird lifts its foot, which facilitates walking on a variety of surfaces like mud, grass, and even ice.”
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 
Coot feet are kind of creepy to me! š
They’re strange, for sure! š
Those are weird feet for sure. Are you going to watch the game?
I don’t watch them all, but I will watch the Superbowl. How about you?
I’m not sure if I can since I don’t subscribe to any of the streamers broadcasting it
Oh, didn’t think of that.
I wonder why their feet are like that? xx
Me too! So I looked it up and Audubon says this, “While its shape might look strange to the human eye, the curious configuration of the coot’s foot makes the bird adept at getting around both on water and on land, unlike most other waterfowl. Comparable to webbing on a duck’s foot, the palmate toes help a coot push through the water. On land, the lobes fold back when the bird lifts its foot, which facilitates walking on a variety of surfaces like mud, grass, and even ice.”
Thanks a lot for doing that. You wonder why other waterfowl don’t have the same arrangement xx
I was curious and wanted to know, too! š
Wow, I’ve never seen a coots feet, Susanne. Very unique! Oh those Coulon Walkers–GO Seahawks! Fun post!
Thanks, Terri. Coot feet are cute feet! Go Seahawks! š
I love coots though I haven’t seen any around here. I love seeing grass. I have been looking at snow for a long time!
We’ve had a mild winter, while the rest of the country is suffering. Rain today, after last week’s clear and sunny (though cold), I’ll take it!
This looks like a lovely walk. I don’t think I’ve seen Coots before.
It’s a wonderful park on the shores of Lake Washington. There are always lots of birds, including Coots. š