There’s just something about back-brooding birds that appeals to the human eye and heart.
1/1250, f/8, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4, not baited, set up or called in
This Clark’s Grebe had a single chick riding up top. Look carefully and you’ll notice that it’s almost too big for the “boat” as its heavy rear end is threatening to drag it back into the water.
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
This Western Grebe had two bright-eyed youngsters on board and they were considerably younger than the Clark’s chick. Both images were taken in recent summers at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
Some folks may be interested in noting the relatively subtle differences between the two closely related species. Western Grebes are distinguished from Clark’s by their yellowish-green bill (more orange in Clark’s) and the black crown extends down below the eyes in the Western while it does not in Clark’s. Clark’s also tends to have more white on the wings and flanks. I’ve pointed out these differences in an earlier post but thought it was worthy of noting again.
Update on blog problems: a few readers have notified me that they have been blocked from accessing my blog. Technicians have blocked some IP addresses from certain countries because of massive attacks on our server from those areas but some of those blocks have now been lifted and others should be lifted today. If anyone continues to have problems please notify me via “contact me” at the top of this page and I will deal with it. Very sorry for the inconvenience!
Ron
PS – I’ve had an ear worm related to my title for the entire time I’ve been working on this post so I thought I’d “share the joy” with others who may be old enough to remember and dare to click on the link…
Fantastic photographs, Ron! The only species of Grebe that breeds here is the Pied-billed. It’s great to see your images of the young ones enjoying a ride.
Ear worm. Fun.
Proof positive that ‘red eye’ is NOT a photographic crime.
Glad to be allowed back to revel in your images. And there are much, much worse ear worms than that one…
What parent doesn’t relate to the experience of children clinging on/moving back when they are *perhaps* big enough to strike out on their own. Along with the child who heads off waaaay to early. Parenting work is never done. And never easy.
Wheee! The birds are lovely and look quite happy. I am happy to have access to your wonderful blog again!
What wonderful shots Ron, thanks for sharing!
Charlotte
Great photos. Glad you are back “on the air”.
Dave
Love the pics, and appreciate the ID info — ear worm not so much. But I knew what was coming when I clicked on the link, so I have only myself to blame.
Earworm indeed, fella! Thanks. I’m definitely old enough to remember that. Those are amazing pictures. I really love seeing these.
Thank you, Arwen – for the image feedback and for putting up with my ear worm fun.
Love these photos! I had the opportunity this summer to watch a pair of Western Grebes with two chicks at the BRMBR for about an hour. I was able to watch the exchange from one parent to the other several times, as well as the feeding of feathers and catching of a fish which was too big for the chick so the adult ate it, etc. There was so much going on and it was so captivating and fun to watch that it was very hard to pull myself away.
Marya, I know exactly what you mean. And you’ve described their behaviors that time of year very well.
I’d been anticipating the ear worm from your title alone. Clicking the link completed the installation.
“Clicking the link completed the installation.”
I love the way you put that, Marvin.
Love, love, love these pictures. Big awwwww factor.
Thanks very much, Ellen.
Hi Ron,
I AM old enough to remember,, and I DID dare to click. Now I have the ear worm…
Thanks for sharing the sound track as well as the images!
Cheers,
Dick
Glad you enjoyed the images and at least put up with the ear worm, Dick. You’re a good sport.
What a delightful way to start my day! Those babies are definitely cute. I checked out your ear worm link – this is the first time I’ve ever heard that song. (Think I’m glad about that – I hate ear worms…)
Susan, I went out shooting this morning and that tune was bouncing around between my ears the entire time. Still is…
So far so good. No more problems with the server.
Very interesting and the differences between the two species are very well showed. Those youngsters are so cute.
Thanks for the ride… “oldies but goldies”
Happy to hear that your access issue has been resolved, Jorge – thanks for letting me know. Glad you enjoyed the “ride”…
Excellent images, as always Ron.
A couple of years ago had a Clark’s Grebe here on Lake Champlain during Christmas Count. The characters you mentioned are what ID the bird as a Clark’s, but was only accepted as a Western due to a lack of an image. Didn’t expect much when we stopped to look into this cove, and, I had my 400 loaded and ready in the car. Bummer, now I take it everywhere!!
” I had my 400 loaded and ready in the car. Bummer, now I take it everywhere!!”
That sounds like my kind of luck, Dick. The Boy Scouts are right about at least one thing – “Be Prepared”!