Favoritos de spinescence

This is was one of my favorite encounters in a long time. This coot got separated from a large flock and this young harrier tried its best to get a meal. I don't think it was at all expecting the coot to fight back, as it didn't seem to have any idea how to deal with the coot turning on its back and kicking/flapping its wings. I've never seen a coot do this to a predator before, usually they just try to repeatedly dive. I'm guessing it's because the coot wasn't particularly intimidated by the harrier (coots/large birds aren't harriers favored meals). The whole encounter lasted about 2 minutes before the harrier gave up and perched right next to the now very proud coot. The coot meandered back to its flock, unbothered by the events just prior (I realize the last pic doesn't show it, but the coot was completely unharmed).

on soil in subalpine vernal pool over granitic bedrock. 20-836

Note: leaves with long subula, cells smooth, immature capsules with distinctive neck and cucullate calyptra, costal anatomy showing distinctive sterids.