Once in a great while an image with a fatal flaw still tickles my fancy.
- First researching and then writing yesterday’s long and complicated post, combined with the tension of worrying all day about internet trolls weighing in on such a controversial subject as image theft as I monitored comments, was exhausting for me and I’m still feeling the effects. As my dear old dad used to say, “I just don’t have any steam”. So it was my intention to keep today’s post short and sweet – a single image, a brief description and then sayonara. But I do tend to get on a roll while composing posts so we’ll see how this one ends up…
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
I’ve never posted this image before because of the Pied-billed Grebe in the background photobombing my primary subject, a Western Grebe running across the water. I have mixed feelings about that little twerp – part of me admires “him” for having the audacity to ruin my shot and the other part feels nothing but aggravation that he did. The photo was taken in late October of 2015 at Bear River MBR and the image is full frame (uncropped) so I was very lucky to get the entire bird in the frame and sharp without clipping anything. But I decided to post the photo despite the photobomb because it documents a behavior I very rarely see or photograph.
With their leg attachment placed so far back on their bodies it’s almost like grebes of all species have outboard motors attached to the rear of their bodies and that fact makes them very fast and efficient when they run across the surface of the water but these two species almost always use dramatically different techniques. Pied-billed Grebes flap their wings furiously during the dash to assist them in accelerating quickly, maintaining speed and changing direction. But Western Grebes nearly always use only their feet during the run while keeping their wings tucked tightly against their bodies. Perhaps that difference is somehow related to their dramatic difference in size but that’s just a stab in the dark.
So it goes without saying that this Western Grebe really surprised me when it used its fully extended wings during the run (it was chasing after another grebe) because I don’t recall ever seeing this species do that before. Western Grebes rarely fly during daytime (they migrate at night) and when they perform their patented “Rushing Ceremony” during courtship they do lift their wings but they never fully extend or flap them so about the only time I see Western Grebes with their wings fully extended is when they’re stretching or performing wing flaps while they’re stationary on the water.
My intense interest in bird behaviors makes me notice and appreciate little things like this but I realize that some readers may not share my fascination with behavioral minutia. In an older post I’ve documented the dramatic difference in water-running style between Western and Pied-billed Grebes so perhaps if you visit that post you’ll see why this unusual behavior really jumped out at me.
Ron
Ron, love the behavioral minutia almost as much as the photos…been a birder/bird photographer for years and still learn so much from your blogs. Thank you for both! (The best photos anywhere!)
That means a lot to me, Steve. Thank you.
I am very sorry to hear that you are ‘running on empty’ after yesterday’s post. And hope that the trolls didn’t keep your delete finger too busy.
Love the image, including the photo-bomber.
And yes, as Dan said, extending wings add size to the mix. And that grebe looks intent on business.
EC, I spent the morning at Bear River today and the birds filled up my gas tank again. Finally, birds are picking up around here!
Glad to hear this, Ron! Looking forward to seeing more birds through your lens!
So sorry yesterday’s post added even more stress. As the saying goes, “Don’t feed the trolls.” You hold all the cards — and the “delete” finger. 😉
Today’s post and the link are fascinating. (Love the “goo goo eyes” shot in the link!) I always learn something new when I come here, which is a big reason why I look forward to your blog every morning!
Thankfully I didn’t have to delete or “not approve” any comments on that post, Marty. But I was certainly prepared to do it!
“Goo goo eyes” – that’s perfect for that shot. Thank you.
Great shots as usual, Ron. I actually like the Pied-billed in the background. As for the wings extended, I think you provided a clue to a possible answer. You say that it was chasing another bird. Extended wings make you larger and more of a threat and being hit with a wing can inflict damage sometimes. I don’t know if I am right, but it’s another idea to consider.
Possibly, Dan. However, consider the following:
In my experience virtually every time I see this species running on water it’s either chasing another grebe or being chased itself and this is the first time I’ve seen one of them do it with its wings extended.
Also, the grebe in the post I linked to at the bottom of my text was also “in pursuit of an interloper” (another grebe) and it’s wings were never extended during the series of running images.
So something must have made a difference that prompted this bird to uncharacteristically extend its wings during the chase. My only guess is perhaps it felt the need for “extra” speed so its wings were the afterburners… 🙂
Your points are well taken. I don’t have the opportunity to see the running behavior in grebes very often so your experience is far better than mine in this regard. Your skilled and detailed observations are of great value. We’re much alike in many ways with a fascination for even the smallest behavior. Many people chase rarities. I don’t. It is far more interesting to see a new behavior in a robin or Song Sparrow than to simply see a bird that took a wrong turn and ended up out of place. If it’s convenient I may look for it, but just seeing a rarity is very low priority. Your blog offers people a chance to see much more and enrich their knowledge.
Wow, we are a lot alike!
Often rushing grebes are in molt – the stubby raised wings lack developed primaries.
Thomas, if you’re suggesting that their wings are really extended during rushing, they just don’t look like they are because their primaries haven’t grown out yet I refer you to the following from Cornell’s Birds of North America Online:
While rushing “posture unique, wings lifted, not extended, scapulars spread, but remiges folded (see Figure 4). Unknown if wing in this position provides lift during Rushing.”
Your observational skills and amazing knowledge of bird behavior make your blog so much more interesting than “just” bird images.
Very good to know, Justine.
Hi Ron, It’s always great to hear about new bird behaviors. And I’m also fine with seeing pictures that are slightly less than perfect. We’re just back from Vacation so I’ll be catching up on all your blogs. Yesterday’s was very very informative – thanks for going to all the trouble to tell the story. I will consider everything you said if I ever have a website. And by the way, that Bald Eagle photograph is a stunner!!!
I’m glad you enjoyed yesterday’s post, Joanne. That one took a lot of work. Yes, that Bald Eagle photo is one of my favorites.
At first I thought the grebe was hitching a ride…interesting behavior…wonder if others will copy it if it seems more efficient….
With birds you just never know, Patty.
When i started photographing birds, I had no idea it would progressively increase my admiration & fascination for their intelligence (not to mention their inherent beauty). This increases my understanding & appreciation for Life itself. But I don’t have as much time to learn about them, and your feeds are my source for education. Again, thank you for sharing your knowledge and astute observations on this subject.
I’m always happy to know it when my readers say they’re learning something here, Elmer. Thank you.
Interesting! The difference in wing positions between the 2 makes it appear the Western is reaching out to engulf whatever where as the Pied Bill is almost flying. Beautiful birds for sure! I didn’t think about folks/trolls getting rabid about your discussion on copyrights yesterday. Hopefully nothing ridiculous occurred that you had to delete!
Judy, Trolls can be a big problem on posts with subjects like that but thankfully this time they all stayed in their caves!
Great blog, Ron. And I totally understand about the trolls. I always look forward to your daily entry…one of only a few things I enjoy on Facebook anymore.
Thanks very much, Becky.