Since I started visiting Oak Street Wetland, there has always been the presence of the Eurasian Coote. I think we can safely say that the wetland is their permanent home. However, the population of Cootes is not constant but fluctuates over the seasons. You can count on seeing a Coote or two if you visit the wetland at any time of the year.

This photograph was taken on 4 November 2024 a few minutes after sunrise – the so-called golden hour. The inhabitants of the wetland was bathed in a beautiful warm tone of the rising sun. It makes waking up early for photography very rewarding.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/640s f/6.3 ISO360