{"id":5244,"date":"2013-01-09T18:54:21","date_gmt":"2013-01-09T23:54:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?p=5244"},"modified":"2013-01-09T20:19:38","modified_gmt":"2013-01-10T01:19:38","slug":"american-coot-at-blackwater-nwr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?p=5244","title":{"rendered":"American Coot at Blackwater NWR"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<!-- Facebook Like Button v1.9.6 BEGIN [http:\/\/blog.bottomlessinc.com] -->\n<iframe src=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/like.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fhughvandervoort.com%2F%3Fp%3D5244&amp;layout=standard&amp;show_faces=false&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;colorscheme=light\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowTransparency=\"true\" style=\"border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height: 30px; align: left; margin: 2px 0px 2px 0px\"><\/iframe>\n<!-- Facebook Like Button END -->\n<p>I had planned to return to Blackwater, and the weatherman predicted a very good day, so I made the hour and a half drive, arriving about 8:00 AM.<br \/>\nI was greeted by a Kingfisher, Bald Eagles continued in good numbers, and I captured an American Coot, a first for me.<br \/>\nSeveral other birds cooperated, and I&#8217;m going to have to go back before the Winter is over.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5231\" style=\"width: 526px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5231\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5231\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5231\" data-attachment-id=\"5231\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5231\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Kingfisher-38.jpg?fit=516%2C432&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"516,432\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Belted Kingfisher \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;This Belted Kingfisher  flew shortly after I spotted him, but even this distant shot is decent.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Kingfisher-38.jpg?fit=516%2C432&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Kingfisher-38.jpg?resize=516%2C432&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Belted Kingfisher\" width=\"516\" height=\"432\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5231\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Kingfisher-38.jpg?w=516&amp;ssl=1 516w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Kingfisher-38.jpg?resize=150%2C125&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Kingfisher-38.jpg?resize=358%2C300&amp;ssl=1 358w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 516px) 100vw, 516px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5231\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This Belted Kingfisher  flew shortly after I spotted him, but even this distant shot is decent.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5233\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5233\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5233\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5233\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-89.jpg?fit=1508%2C1552&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1508,1552\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Great Blue Heron \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-89.jpg?fit=584%2C601&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-89.jpg?resize=584%2C601&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Great Blue Heron \" width=\"584\" height=\"601\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5233\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-89.jpg?w=1508&amp;ssl=1 1508w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-89.jpg?resize=145%2C150&amp;ssl=1 145w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-89.jpg?resize=291%2C300&amp;ssl=1 291w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-89.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5232\" style=\"width: 1194px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5232\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5232\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5232\" data-attachment-id=\"5232\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5232\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-88.jpg?fit=1184%2C888&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1184,888\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Great Blue Heron\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Great Blue Herons are easy to find at Blackwater, but I&amp;#8217;m still slightly shocked to see them in trees.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-88.jpg?fit=584%2C438&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-88.jpg?resize=584%2C438&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Great Blue Heron\" width=\"584\" height=\"438\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5232\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-88.jpg?w=1184&amp;ssl=1 1184w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-88.jpg?resize=150%2C112&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-88.jpg?resize=400%2C300&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5232\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Great Blue Herons are easy to find at Blackwater, but I&#8217;m still slightly shocked to see them in trees.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5243\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5243\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5243\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5243\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-70.jpg?fit=940%2C784&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"940,784\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Bald Eagle \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-70.jpg?fit=584%2C487&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-70.jpg?resize=584%2C487&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Bald Eagle \" width=\"584\" height=\"487\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5243\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-70.jpg?w=940&amp;ssl=1 940w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-70.jpg?resize=150%2C125&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-70.jpg?resize=359%2C300&amp;ssl=1 359w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/american-coot-at-blackwater-nwr\/bald-eagle-71-2\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5275\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5275\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5275\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-711.jpg?fit=672%2C640&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"672,640\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Bald Eagle 71\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-711.jpg?fit=584%2C556&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-711.jpg?resize=584%2C556&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Bald Eagle 71\" width=\"584\" height=\"556\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5275\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-711.jpg?w=672&amp;ssl=1 672w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-711.jpg?resize=150%2C142&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-711.jpg?resize=315%2C300&amp;ssl=1 315w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5235\" style=\"width: 346px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5235\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5235\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5235\" data-attachment-id=\"5235\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5235\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-67.jpg?fit=336%2C380&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"336,380\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Bald Eagle\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;I had to move quite a distance to get a good angle on this Bald Eagle.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-67.jpg?fit=336%2C380&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-67.jpg?resize=336%2C380&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Bald Eagle\" width=\"336\" height=\"380\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5235\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-67.jpg?w=336&amp;ssl=1 336w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-67.jpg?resize=132%2C150&amp;ssl=1 132w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-67.jpg?resize=265%2C300&amp;ssl=1 265w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 336px) 100vw, 336px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5235\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">I had to move quite a distance to get a good angle on this Bald Eagle.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5239\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5239\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5239\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5239\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Coot-1.jpg?fit=1196%2C888&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1196,888\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"American Coot \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Coot-1.jpg?fit=584%2C434&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Coot-1.jpg?resize=584%2C434&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"American Coot \" width=\"584\" height=\"434\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5239\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Coot-1.jpg?w=1196&amp;ssl=1 1196w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Coot-1.jpg?resize=150%2C111&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Coot-1.jpg?resize=404%2C300&amp;ssl=1 404w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5241\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5241\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5241\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5241\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Coot-4.jpg?fit=2384%2C1688&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2384,1688\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"American Coot\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Coot-4.jpg?fit=584%2C493&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Coot-4.jpg?resize=584%2C414&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"American Coot\" width=\"584\" height=\"414\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5241\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Coot-4.jpg?w=2384&amp;ssl=1 2384w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Coot-4.jpg?resize=150%2C106&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Coot-4.jpg?resize=423%2C300&amp;ssl=1 423w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Coot-4.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Coot-4.jpg?w=1752&amp;ssl=1 1752w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5242\" style=\"width: 2246px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5242\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5242\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5242\" data-attachment-id=\"5242\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5242\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Coot-3.jpg?fit=2236%2C1640&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2236,1640\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"American Coot\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;I was pleased to find this American Coot, as it&amp;#8217;s a first for me.&lt;br \/&gt;\nCornell:&lt;br \/&gt;\n&amp;#8220;The waterborne American Coot is one good reminder that not everything that floats is a duck. A close look at a coot\u2014that small head, those scrawny legs\u2014reveals a different kind of bird entirely. Their dark bodies and white faces are common sights in nearly any open water across the continent, and they often mix with ducks. But they\u2019re closer relatives of the gangly Sandhill Crane and the nearly invisible rails than of Mallards or teal.&amp;#8221;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Coot-3.jpg?fit=584%2C479&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Coot-3.jpg?resize=584%2C428&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"American Coot\" width=\"584\" height=\"428\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5242\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Coot-3.jpg?w=2236&amp;ssl=1 2236w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Coot-3.jpg?resize=150%2C110&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Coot-3.jpg?resize=409%2C300&amp;ssl=1 409w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Coot-3.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Coot-3.jpg?w=1752&amp;ssl=1 1752w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5242\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">I was pleased to find this American Coot, as it&#8217;s a first for me.<br \/>Cornell:<br \/>&#8220;The waterborne American Coot is one good reminder that not everything that floats is a duck. A close look at a coot\u2014that small head, those scrawny legs\u2014reveals a different kind of bird entirely. Their dark bodies and white faces are common sights in nearly any open water across the continent, and they often mix with ducks. But they\u2019re closer relatives of the gangly Sandhill Crane and the nearly invisible rails than of Mallards or teal.&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/american-coot-at-blackwater-nwr\/great-blue-heron-91\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5261\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5261\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5261\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-91.jpg?fit=1996%2C1256&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1996,1256\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Great Blue Heron \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-91.jpg?fit=584%2C367&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-91.jpg?resize=584%2C367&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Great Blue Heron \" width=\"584\" height=\"367\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5261\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-91.jpg?w=1996&amp;ssl=1 1996w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-91.jpg?resize=150%2C94&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-91.jpg?resize=476%2C300&amp;ssl=1 476w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-91.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-91.jpg?w=1752&amp;ssl=1 1752w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5258\" style=\"width: 2322px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/american-coot-at-blackwater-nwr\/great-blue-heron-90\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5258\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5258\" data-attachment-id=\"5258\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5258\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-90.jpg?fit=2312%2C2008&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2312,2008\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Great Blue Heron \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;It&amp;#8217;s unusual for me to get this close to a Great Blue Heron .&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-90.jpg?fit=584%2C584&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-90.jpg?resize=584%2C507&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Great Blue Heron \" width=\"584\" height=\"507\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5258\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-90.jpg?w=2312&amp;ssl=1 2312w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-90.jpg?resize=150%2C130&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-90.jpg?resize=345%2C300&amp;ssl=1 345w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-90.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-90.jpg?w=1752&amp;ssl=1 1752w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5258\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">It&#8217;s unusual for me to get this close to a Great Blue Heron .<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/american-coot-at-blackwater-nwr\/red-tailed-hawk-27\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5267\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5267\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5267\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Red-Tailed-Hawk-27.jpg?fit=1224%2C1372&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1224,1372\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Red Tailed Hawk\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Red-Tailed-Hawk-27.jpg?fit=584%2C655&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Red-Tailed-Hawk-27.jpg?resize=584%2C655&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Red Tailed Hawk\" width=\"584\" height=\"655\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Red-Tailed-Hawk-27.jpg?w=1224&amp;ssl=1 1224w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Red-Tailed-Hawk-27.jpg?resize=133%2C150&amp;ssl=1 133w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Red-Tailed-Hawk-27.jpg?resize=267%2C300&amp;ssl=1 267w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Red-Tailed-Hawk-27.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5264\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/american-coot-at-blackwater-nwr\/red-tailed-hawk-26\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5264\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5264\" data-attachment-id=\"5264\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5264\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Red-Tailed-Hawk-26.jpg?fit=1024%2C988&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1024,988\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Red Tailed Hawk\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Wildlife Drive runs right through the marshes at Blackwater, and I usually make two circuits. This Red Tailed Hawk was waiting for e at the beginning of the second loop.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Red-Tailed-Hawk-26.jpg?fit=584%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Red-Tailed-Hawk-26.jpg?resize=584%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Red Tailed Hawk\" width=\"584\" height=\"563\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5264\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Red-Tailed-Hawk-26.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Red-Tailed-Hawk-26.jpg?resize=150%2C144&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Red-Tailed-Hawk-26.jpg?resize=310%2C300&amp;ssl=1 310w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5264\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Wildlife Drive runs right through the marshes at Blackwater, and I usually make two circuits. This Red Tailed Hawk was waiting for me at the beginning of the second loop.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/american-coot-at-blackwater-nwr\/northern-shoveller-3\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5274\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5274\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5274\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Northern-Shoveller-3.jpg?fit=880%2C676&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"880,676\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Northern Shoveller \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Northern-Shoveller-3.jpg?fit=584%2C449&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Northern-Shoveller-3.jpg?resize=584%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Northern Shoveller \" width=\"584\" height=\"449\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5274\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Northern-Shoveller-3.jpg?w=880&amp;ssl=1 880w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Northern-Shoveller-3.jpg?resize=150%2C115&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Northern-Shoveller-3.jpg?resize=390%2C300&amp;ssl=1 390w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5273\" style=\"width: 1038px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/american-coot-at-blackwater-nwr\/northern-shoveller-2\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5273\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5273\" data-attachment-id=\"5273\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5273\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Northern-Shoveller-2.jpg?fit=1028%2C832&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1028,832\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Northern Shoveller \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;The Northern Shoveller  can be hard to photograph, as he is constantly moving to feed.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Northern-Shoveller-2.jpg?fit=584%2C473&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Northern-Shoveller-2.jpg?resize=584%2C473&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Northern Shoveller \" width=\"584\" height=\"473\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5273\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Northern-Shoveller-2.jpg?w=1028&amp;ssl=1 1028w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Northern-Shoveller-2.jpg?resize=150%2C121&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Northern-Shoveller-2.jpg?resize=370%2C300&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5273\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Northern Shoveller  can be hard to photograph, as he is constantly moving to feed.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_5284\" style=\"width: 2650px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/american-coot-at-blackwater-nwr\/great-blue-heron-93\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5284\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5284\" data-attachment-id=\"5284\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5284\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-93.jpg?fit=2640%2C2572&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2640,2572\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Great Blue Heron\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;OK, too many Great Blue Herons, but how do you pass up a shot like this?&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-93.jpg?fit=584%2C584&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-93.jpg?resize=584%2C569&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Great Blue Heron\" width=\"584\" height=\"569\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5284\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-93.jpg?w=2640&amp;ssl=1 2640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-93.jpg?resize=150%2C146&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-93.jpg?resize=307%2C300&amp;ssl=1 307w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-93.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-93.jpg?w=1752&amp;ssl=1 1752w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5284\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">OK, too many Great Blue Herons, but how do you pass up a shot like this?<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/american-coot-at-blackwater-nwr\/snow-goose-5\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5286\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5286\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5286\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-5.jpg?fit=1796%2C1312&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1796,1312\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Snow Goose\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-5.jpg?fit=584%2C427&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-5.jpg?resize=584%2C427&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Snow Goose\" width=\"584\" height=\"427\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5286\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-5.jpg?w=1796&amp;ssl=1 1796w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-5.jpg?resize=150%2C109&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-5.jpg?resize=410%2C300&amp;ssl=1 410w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-5.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5285\" style=\"width: 1546px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/american-coot-at-blackwater-nwr\/snow-goose-4\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5285\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5285\" data-attachment-id=\"5285\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5285\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-4.jpg?fit=1536%2C1368&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1536,1368\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Snow Goose\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;This Snow Goose is a juvenile.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-4.jpg?fit=584%2C520&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-4.jpg?resize=584%2C520&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Snow Goose\" width=\"584\" height=\"520\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5285\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-4.jpg?w=1536&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-4.jpg?resize=150%2C133&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-4.jpg?resize=336%2C300&amp;ssl=1 336w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-4.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5285\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This Snow Goose is a juvenile.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_5289\" style=\"width: 1206px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/american-coot-at-blackwater-nwr\/canada-goose-37\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5289\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5289\" data-attachment-id=\"5289\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5289\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Canada-Goose-37.jpg?fit=1196%2C944&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1196,944\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Canada Goose \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;The most recent census counted 8800 Canada Geese at the refuge. &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Canada-Goose-37.jpg?fit=584%2C461&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Canada-Goose-37.jpg?resize=584%2C461&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Canada Goose \" width=\"584\" height=\"461\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5289\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Canada-Goose-37.jpg?w=1196&amp;ssl=1 1196w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Canada-Goose-37.jpg?resize=150%2C118&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Canada-Goose-37.jpg?resize=380%2C300&amp;ssl=1 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5289\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The most recent census counted 8800 Canada Geese at the refuge.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_5238\" style=\"width: 1042px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5238\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5238\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5238\" data-attachment-id=\"5238\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5238\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Tundra-Swan-8.jpg?fit=1032%2C548&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1032,548\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Tundra Swan \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Several Tundra Swans  flew over.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Tundra-Swan-8.jpg?fit=584%2C310&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Tundra-Swan-8.jpg?resize=584%2C310&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Tundra Swan \" width=\"584\" height=\"310\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5238\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Tundra-Swan-8.jpg?w=1032&amp;ssl=1 1032w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Tundra-Swan-8.jpg?resize=150%2C79&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Tundra-Swan-8.jpg?resize=500%2C265&amp;ssl=1 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5238\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Several Tundra Swans  flew over.<\/p><\/div>\n\n<!-- Facebook Like Button v1.9.6 BEGIN [http:\/\/blog.bottomlessinc.com] -->\n<iframe src=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/like.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fhughvandervoort.com%2F%3Fp%3D5244&amp;layout=standard&amp;show_faces=false&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;colorscheme=light\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowTransparency=\"true\" style=\"border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height: 30px; align: left; margin: 2px 0px 2px 0px\"><\/iframe>\n<!-- Facebook Like Button END -->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I had planned to return to Blackwater, and the weatherman predicted a very good day, so I made the hour and a half drive, arriving about 8:00 AM. I was greeted by a Kingfisher, Bald Eagles continued in good numbers, &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?p=5244\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5244","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mybirdingday"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2xu3W-1mA","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5244","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5244"}],"version-history":[{"count":35,"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5244\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5291,"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5244\/revisions\/5291"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5244"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5244"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5244"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}