Conversations with Critters
Walk with the animals. Talk with the animals. And the conversation turns to Coots...
Today, Critters, we are about to give a hoot about Coots. Yes, you heard that, as we say in the vernacular at CwC, correctly. Thank you. Thank you very much.
Furthermore, we are joined by our Core Community Critters Jasper Kitten, Chris and Jojo for an exploration into the natural history and mystery of these incredible water birds. Cuz. Not everyone who walks like a duck and looks like a duck is, in fact, a duck.
Please, welcome Jasper Kitten, Chris and Jojo in excellent who gives a coot critter conversation. Take it away!
Heidi: Hello and welcome, Friends! We took a little time off and are back this week with our latest detective story, The Case of the Jumping Gene, released to great anticipation and fanfare on Tuesday. And now! It’s time for a conversation about Coots, a special and incredible Critter we recently met along the way.
Jasper: Welcome, Critters! We made the acquaintance of a Coot during our time off at CwC and want to share what we learned with you right here, right now. Full stop.
Chris: Cuz. Our work is never done. The end.
Jojo: Furthermore, and to elaborate, I have missed you and I luvluvluv you, Dear Gentle Critters and Dear Gentle Readers. The end, too.
Jasper: Thank you, Jojo. That is a wonderful conversation opener, full of nuance and sensitivity. Full stop.
Chris: Ditto. Jojo, would you like to join me on the Couch?
Jojo: First, Chris, please allow me to respond in the order in which these incredible comments were received. I am, after all, all ears. Therefore. Jasper Kitten, you are incredibly welcome for the conversation opener of luvluvluv. Then. Yes. Chris, I will be happy to join you on the Couch. And another thing. Would now be a good time to share what we have learned about Coots?
Jasper: Thank you for the question, Jojo.
Jojo: You’re welcome, Jasper.
Chris: We’re all ears.
Jojo: Thank you, Chris. May I now, please, turn everyone’s attention to the locomotion of a duck.
Jasper: Certainly.
Chris: Of course.
Jojo: If it looks like a duck and it swims like a duck, does that mean it really is a duck?
Jasper: This is a thought provoking existential question, Jojo.
Chris: I need to sleep on it.
Jojo: You are both correct. Cuz. Coots are, in fact, different from ducks.
Jasper: How much different?
Jojo: Thank you for the question, Jasper. They are so different that Coots are not ducks. They are Coots.
Jasper: I see.
Jojo: Coots are waterfowl, but they do not have webbed feet and, quite frankly, they don’t really walk like a duck.
Chris: Jojo, this is a serious distinction.
Jojo: Yes, Chris. It. Is. Furthermore, whereas a duck waddles, a Coot walks more like a chicken when on land. Coots do not, and I repeat, do not have webbed feet.
Chris: Then what kind of toebeans do they have?
Jojo: Coots have long lobed toes which help with their propulsion in water and when they walk on land, as noted above, this is in similar fashion to how a chicken locomotes. The end.
Chris: Incredible.
Jasper: Ditto.
Jojo: So. Therefore and Furthermore. While a Coot is not a duck, they are however related to Rails and the Sandhill Crane.
Chris: Critters, let’s share a video of a Coot grooming which is the next best thing to eating and napping.
Jojo: Well said and well thought out, Chris. Critters, here is our featured Coot, grooming and preening in an aquatic environment for your edification and enjoyment.
Jasper: We’ve covered walking and talking, grooming and preening, and propulsion in the water, also known in the vernacular as swimming.
Jojo: Thank you for the summary, Jasper.
Jasper: Of course and you’re welcome, Jojo.
Jojo: Would now be a good time to talk about flying?
Chris: Yes, I believe so. I’m still awake as we speak.
Jojo: Excellent. Coots are not known for being the most efficient of flyers. And yet. Still. When they have a long enough runway, they will take flight from the water. Full stop.
Chris: Good to know, Jojo. Would that be a further distance than what I require to gain access to the Couch?
Jojo: Yes, Chris, and it’s definitive.
Chris: Thank you, Jojo. That comes to me as a relief.
Jasper: Critters, thank you for joining us in conversation about Coots today. We are deeply grateful for your time and attention. The end.
Chris: Thank you, Friends. We made it this far and now we can all take a nap.
Jojo: Please, stay tuned for Chapter 2 of The Case of the Jumping Gene next week for Detective Tuesday. Until then, stay safe and have fun out there! The. End.
🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾
Poetry with Pets
If it walks or talks
Like a duck, is it a duck?
A Coot is a Coot
By Jasper Kitten, Chris and Jojo
Critters! Catch up on all of the mystery and adventure with The Case of the Jumping Gene! Book Number 3!
Chap. 1
Critters! Catch up on all of the mystery and adventure with The Case of the Bowled Over Bowler Hat! Book Number 2!
Chap. 1🐾Chap. 2🐾Chap. 3🐾Chap. 4🐾Chap. 5🐾Chap. 6🐾Chap.7🐾Chap. 8🐾Chap. 9🐾Chap. 10🐾Chap. 11🐾Chap. 12🐾Chap. 13🐾Chap. 14🐾Chap. 15🐾Chap. 16🐾Chap. 17🐾Chap. 18🐾Chap. 19
The Case of the Misplaced Priority Envelope! The Complete Book Number 1!
Chap. 1🐾Chap. 2🐾Chap. 3🐾Chap. 4🐾Chap. 5🐾Chap. 6🐾Chap. 7🐾Chap. 8🐾Chap. 9🐾Chap. 10🐾Chap. 11🐾Chap. 12🐾Chap. 13🐾Chap.14🐾Chap. 15🐾Chap. 16🐾Chap. 17🐾Chap. 18🐾Chap. 19🐾Chap. 20
(Coming soon to IngramSpark, too!)
The Case of the Misplaced Priority Envelope
Arya and I enjoyed this teaching lesson; he says "We do give a hoot for coots."
Heidi and Critters! This brought me joy this Saturday morning in England. I have always loved coots but did not know about their non-webbed toe beans. You have illuminated my mind. Thank you!🤗