Year round, the coot can be found in all states except for Montana, North Dakota, northern South Dakota, most of Minnesota and the southern Appalachian Mountains region.

During summer season, the coot expands the range to include much of lower Canada and the rest of the United States except the lower Appalachian Mountains region where the coot can be seen during winter.

Abundant in freshwater marshes and lakes in summer and are also found in on coastal water areas in winter. Fairly tame and will graze on lawns

Small water bird, mostly slate black with white on outer undertail coverts.

Ivory bill with a dark band near tip, white shield, dullish red at top and dark red eyes.

Arise, dress in my summer blues, start the jammer engine and drive out of the parking lot, turn west on SH 644 and drive to FM 517 where I turn west and drive to Alvin, Texas, then south on SH 35 through town to FM 1462 turn west and drive through Rosharon, Texas, across the Brazos River to FM 762. I then turn north on FM 762, drive five miles and enter Brazos Bend state park and ask for a campsite but the campground is full. Then, I ask for a day permit, and once I obtain the permit, I drive to the shower house, grab my shower bag and go inside for a steamy hot shower.

The day begins near the Pacific Ocean and ends up in the Klamath basin in central Oregon. Most of the day is spent driving on roads driven on yesterday but there is a totally new perspective driving the opposite direction.

Also, I tour the park stopping at several view spots for photos, including a few water foul in the lakes here, and finally drive to Petroglyph Point to see and photograph the extensive rock art and end up watching the sunset after examining the petroglyphs.

I awake and rise long before the dayspring and read for a while. Then when the light begins to appear on the horizon, I examine the WBC brochure to determine where to visit first and choose Quinta Mazatlan because the bird walks open early.

Next on my tour is the Santa Ana NWR which in adjacent to the Rio Grande river. Upon arriving, I join the guided bird-watching tour that is just starting. As we walk through the refuge, the guide, without looking in his book, names many birds that I have never seen or even heard of before. This making me realize how new I am in this pursuit of mine, the quest for wildlife.

It sure cooled off nicely last night and was a comfortable temperature for sleeping, however, it was humid and there were sounds coming from every direction. The hot shower is not worth the nineteen dollars I paid for parking in a space overnight especially since it was so noisy all night. I decided to take a second shower this morning before going to the border.

I stop at the lake before leaving the park and photograph both a coot and a moorhen.