Foot Fighting.

I am sure that any of us who have watched Coots (Fulica atra) will have seen a few squabbles on the water from time to time. It usually all happens so quickly that it is difficult to see exactlly what is happening but this week I managed a few shots (sorry but not top quality because the gear wasn't set up for speed!) that shed some light on the use of those extraordinary lobed feet.

 I initially spotted one individual, head down,  'in attack mode' heading speadily across the water ......

 ..... and in a flash it was face on, belly to belly with another of its species, both creating a fine old splash.

This shot shows one foot firmly pressed against the others breast but who actually has the upper hand?

As these two spun around I was able to grab this image and there is no doubt in my mind that those feet with their very sharp toe points are a force to be reckoned with.

For a close up of those extraordinary feet just click here.   FAB.