Althouse: Coots on Lake Mendota at 7:18 a.m.

October 22, 2023

Coots on Lake Mendota at 7:18 a.m.

15 comments:

Original Mike said...: We were treated to Trumpeter Swans during our last week up north. We've seen them before as the season winds down on our lake. This time there were 2 adults and 4 children. The adults were all white with black beaks, The children were as large as the parents, but more gray with red beaks. It was great watching them tool around, one parent on point, the other bringing up the rear, with the kids in between. They spent a lot of time in front of our house, as it's shallow with plenty to eat on the bottom. Great fun watching them dining, heads down and butts in the air.; 10/22/23, 9:44 AM
Original Mike said...: Oops, Tundra Swans.; 10/22/23, 9:46 AM
Jamie said...: Have they changed the name of Trumpeter Swan? I am devastated! The Trumpet of the Swan was one of my favorite books when I was a little girl. EB White had such a touch.

I haven't watch the video yet, but I will now. The still image is pure art.; 10/22/23, 10:39 AM
Laughing Fox said...: Years ago I got to see swans on Lake Menomin (by the town of Menomonie, WI). As we watched, the whole flock took off, so we followed them for a while, off eastward to Eau Claire. I had always wondered by pure white was good camouflage, but when they flew, we could hardly see them as more than a sort of ripple in the sky.
By the way, what is the origin of the expression "old coot" for old man?; 10/22/23, 10:41 AM
tastid212 said...: Videos of coots never get old.; 10/22/23, 10:58 AM
Iman said...: Old coots?; 10/22/23, 11:11 AM
rehajm said...: A couple have showed up here. Early birds.; 10/22/23, 11:29 AM
Birdwatcher said...: Wow! So many together. First time I have seen that. Also, beautiful sunrise.; 10/22/23, 11:35 AM
Owen said...: Not quite a chicken
Nor is it a duck
Your heart does not quicken
Nor stop wonder-struck

Still they flock in such numbers
You'll never compute
And leave you the humbler
For seeing the coot; 10/22/23, 12:23 PM
gilbar said...: Someone yesterday, mentioned a book about the SS Ohio..
While reading up on her, and Operation Pedestal i found a movie with William Holden, called:
The Malta Story
which is free on Amazon Prime. It had actual footage of the Ohio (the still on wikipedia of her getting hit with One of the many torpedos, and the still of her entering the harbor, are apparently from newsreels). The story isn't Just about the Ohio, but she plays a BIG part..
All in all, it was a VERY good movie.. sad, but good; 10/22/23, 1:09 PM
Scott Patton said...: Is that a syncopatic woodpecker in the background?; 10/22/23, 1:19 PM
Ann Althouse said...: I've seen tundra swans on Mendota in December.

October is the time for the coots.; 10/22/23, 3:39 PM
Original Mike said...: "Coot" was the nickname of our next door neighbor when I was growing up. He was a big bird hunter. I don't even know what his real name was. It was always "Coot" (well, for me, it was Mr. Mulcarick).; 10/22/23, 3:40 PM
Narr said...: Wait, you knew "Coot" Mulcarick? THE "Coot" Mulcarick?

Never heard of him, but I kind of wish I had.

I'm waiting for the trumpeter coots to fly over on their way to the tropics.

I can only recall one friend with an animal nickname--Toad, which became Toad-oh, then Todo.; 10/22/23, 4:56 PM
Rusty said...: tastid212 said...
"Videos of coots never get old."
Stop by the house. I'll put on a show.; 10/23/23, 8:38 AM