1 Image 1 Minute-Christopher Woodward

"American Coot"

We were walking around my favorite pond.

We came across a American coot.

We noticed the bird stood bowing.

We continued closer and the bird fell over.

We laughed.

We realized it was not funny.

We watched as it panicked its way to the water.

We saw the bird had fishing line wrapped around its foot and beak.

It bobbed.

Its head in the water.

It was drowning from the line.

We hesitated not knowing what to do.

We began to walk away.

It came back to the shore.

We ran to catch it.

We missed.

I realized I had to go into the water.

I removed my phone and camera.

I rolled up my pants.

I braved the early march water.

I made it to the bird, waist deep, standing in mud.

I held the bird.

I ushered it to shore.

My friend took a picture.

My friend got a knife from a fisherman.

My friend cut the line.

It bolted.

We watched as it skated across the water.