We flew from Lima to Cuzco the morning of January 8, 2012. It took us some time to adjust to the difference in elevation, 10,500 feet versus sea level. Brad photographed an Andean Coot, Fulica ardesiaca, while we were birding at Laguna Huacarpay. The plumage is a sooty gray color with little or no white showing on the undertail coverts. This individual has a chestnut colored shield and a yellow bill (note: bill and shield color are variable and are dependant on the bird's location). The Huacarpay Lakes area is located in the central highlands of Peru. This wetland area houses a variety of high elevation aquatic birds (most seen from a distance) and is a thirty minute drive from Cuzco. Temperatures were in the upper 80's as we left the hot and humid weather in Lima. In Cuzco temperatures were in the 60's with rain. Fortunately, the rain stopped by the time we started to bird.