Wild Bird Wednesday - Coot

I've been absent the last couple of weeks due to a wonderful vacation heading up the California coast through Cambria and Big Sur to Pacific Grove.  Absolutely magnificent scenery and wildlife - can't wait to post some pics once I finish going through them.

In the meantime, here are some Coots:

 

 

I grew up next to a lake and Coots were very common along with the mallards, geese and swans, but I never really paid much attention to them.

 

 

 

Only recently really noticed their red eyes and green feet. 

 

 

 

And then there's this rare, two-headed version..

 

 

KJ

 

 



Wild Bird Wednesday - What's That Grackling Noise?

For such common birds, these guys emit the most unusual sounds.  They could easily be mistaken for the sound track to some kind of tropical jungle movie.

 

 

Female Great-Tailed Grackle. 

 

 

Another shot of the female up in a tree.  The males are larger, glossy black all over and have an unusual tail that they hold in an inverted V shape when flying.

 

 

 

KJ