Sometimes one can sit at a pond full of birds when there seems to be nothing going on. But if you pay close attention there’s often a host of little dramas playing out right under your nose.
Such was the case four days ago at a Farmington Bay pond. The lighting was contrasty and highly variable and the backgrounds often busy but the behaviors were certainly interesting. All images are presented in the order they were taken.
1/1250, f/8, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
The first thing that caught my attention was this Pied-billed Grebe on top of the ice. These grebes rarely come out of the water because with their legs placed so far back on their body they’re incredibly awkward on a solid surface. In this shot you can see how far back the attachment is between the leg and the body. This pose is not a leg-stretch – the bird is holding its large, dark (heat absorbing) lobed foot toward the morning sun as a warming technique common to several grebe species.
1/2500, f/8, ISO 400, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
There were about two dozen grebes, one American Coot and this Common Merganser on the pond. The merganser was reveling in its role as pond bully. As it slowly cruised the pond it would often act aggressively like this toward the much smaller grebes as it approached them. I was very surprised by how little the grebes reacted to the threats – they would let the merganser get very close and then just swim slowly out of its way.
1/4000, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
Then the merganser decided to join the first grebe on top of the ice. The grebe was only slightly taken aback by the unexpected move at such close quarters…
1/4000, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
but then the merganser showed its displeasure at having the grebe in what it considered its space by proceeding to bite the head of the grebe multiple times. Incredibly the grebe seemed to ignore the abuse…
1/4000, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
and the merganser apparently decided that the plucky little grebe wasn’t going to be intimidated…
1/4000, f/8, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
so the lion and the lamb laid down together in peace.
At this point I became quite concerned about the grebe, worrying that it was frozen into the ice which is a fairly common occurrence in northern Utah during winter.
1/1600, f/8, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
Eventually the merganser got up, stretched and then swam off. But the grebe stayed in position.
1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
In the meantime the lone coot had found a treasure, a long-dead fish it had scrounged off the bottom of the pond. Coots are primarily vegetarians, eating vascular aquatic plants and algae but especially in winter they also consume aquatic invertebrates, fish, tadpoles and even some carrion. I’ve actually seen them eat chicken and other bait that ethics-challenged photographers have used to draw eagles in close.
1/800, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
The coot took the fish to the same piece of ice where the original grebe was and began to feed. The grebe pecked at the fish a couple of times and then seemed to ignore it. At this point I became highly concerned for the grebe because it had been on the ice for at least 40 minutes. I considered trying to rescue it but that would mean wading through the pond in sub-zero temperatures and I was less than thrilled by that prospect…
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
But a few minutes later, as the coot was finishing off the fish, the grebe was gone. To say I was relieved is an understatement.
And actually in preparing this post I noticed that I should have realized much earlier that the grebe hadn’t been stuck in the ice. If you compare the position of the grebe in the first shot to its position in later images you can see that it has moved to the other side of the reed laying across the ice.
1/4000, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
All the while that the grebe/merganser/coot behaviors were playing out, other grebes were putting on quite the show. As I reported in a recent post, groups of grebes would suddenly rush across the water. Usually when I’ve seen similar behaviors one grebe is trying to steal a fish from another but on this day there were no fish involved. They just seemed to explode as a group for no apparent reason. I’m sure there was a reason but what it was still mystifies me.
1/5000, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
Just before I left the pond the merganser gave me a wing-flap as a going-away present.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat at this pond when there seemed to be nothing interesting going on so I’ve left for greener pastures. On this day I’m glad I stuck around for a while to see what might develop. Reminds me of the sage advice I got years ago from one of my early photography mentors – “Never leave birds to look for birds”.
Ron
This is an absolutely wonderful series of photos. I especially love the expression on the face of the grebe when the merganser came onto the grebe’s patch of ice.
I love your stories, and lessons about observing. Great shot of the grebe walking on water.
I got caught up in the unfolding story of “is the grebe stuck to the ice??”. Thanks for posting this.
What a wonderful behavioral shots Ron!
Charlotte
Two great quotes: “Never leave birds to look for birds,” and “ethics-challenged”–i love that! And wonderful observations as usual, Ron.
Great stuff! Thanks Ron.
Fascinating story and pics of a day (or a little while anyway) in the life….
Great Story, and great photos.
All the best Gordon.
Thanks Ron! I really enjoyed your photos and the story that went with them. The expressions on their faces are priceless.
And that’s why bird-watching is more interesting than birding! So much more rewarding than ticking off the species present and hurrying on…
Ohhhh, my favorite kind of post! So much interesting stuff. I love all of it!
I learn something (sometimes many things) from you every day. Thank you so much for this.
I love this story and the entertaining photos of the various bird characters. Yes, so much happens in the natural world that we are totally ignorant of, and if we all paid more attention to and valued the little things we would be much better for it. Thank you.
hi ron, patience is always our lesson
see my comments on the western grebe chick head patch – I actually found 1-2 photos in all of mine that had it showing – doesn’t happen much, I guess. would love your response to my other questions
Barb, I think the Western Grebe chick’s red crown patch only shows when those head feathers are erected/parted – same situation with adult Western Kingbirds. I’m glad you found some of your own shots where it can be seen.
I’ve responded to your other question in that post.
Wonderful, entertaining, 3-ring circus, drama-documentary, sitcom series to start this cold day with! Complete with Solar power feet (who knew?), the merganser is a handsome bully, a bit of a buffoon…probably a full-of-himself teenager…love “unflappable” grebe and the one racing along on top of the water…the whole area seems boiling with mini-dramas and action! Funny!!!
Well said Patty!!!
Thanks, Patty. I’m delighted that you enjoyed the post so much.
Great series as aways Ron. Great story telling. Would the coot have really injured the little Gerbe? So glad the little guy wasn’t stuck on the ice. So glad you didn’t have to go into the water for a rescue!!
Oh, Ron Can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed this post … I followed along, worried about the little grebe, right with you!!! I must say the foot up in the air was quite a revelation … who knew?? LOL … well, obviously YOU did!!! Love learning new things .. and learning them in such a beautiful and fun way. Best part, the story had a happy ending!!
Happy endings are the best kind, Lois – especially when it means I don’t have to wade into freezing water…
Highly entertaining and informative – thanks so much. I wish I had been one of your students when you were teaching…
I’m struck by the grebe’s 2 extremes – apparent disinterest and imperturbability alternating with ‘running on the water’ without obvious provocation! Wouldn’t it be wonderful to know the workings of their brains and how their range of behaviors evolved over time?
You’re absolutely right about PBG’s, Alison. Their behaviors often go from one extreme to another in a nanosecond. Thank you for the kind words.