I see this photo differently almost every time I look at it.
1/1000, f/8, ISO 500, Canon 40D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 Extender, not baited, set up or called in
A photo from my archives I’ve never posted before of a Western Grebe chick yawning as it’s being back brooded by one of its parents at Bear River MBR.
Behavior of grebe chicks at this age knows no middle ground – it seems like they’re either sleeping on the backs of their parents or in a highly excited state as they anticipate being fed or are actively competing for food. There’s no in-between.
And that pretty much matches my reactions to this photo. One moment I see the chick yawning sleepily, barely able to stay awake, and the next moment I see it excitedly barking steering directions at the adult.
Either way the image makes me smile. And wonder why I’ve never posted it before.
Ron
The chick is just getting bored, or maybe screaming for more food? Love the texture of the water and the colors.
Sleepy or demanding — still adorable!
I agree, Marty.
LOVE the reflection. I see it as the youngster making demands on the parent (as they do regardless of species) but the photo is a stunner regardless.
I also think the reflection adds to the image, EC. Thanks.
It makes me smile too❤️
Glad you found it and shared it ❗️
Have good day
Me too. Thanks, Diana.
It appears at first to be a serene scene that Monet might have painted. But a closer look suggests the tranquil setting is illusory via the chick remonstrating over who knows what.
And I gotta ask, do birds actually yawn?
“And I gotta ask, do birds actually yawn?”
Apparently they do, Lyle. For years it was thought to be just jaw stretching but recent evidence suggests they also yawn.
https://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/10670/do-birds-yawn-reworked/
Yawning birds is one the reasons I find it so difficult to photograph birds ejecting pellets. The precursor mouth posture of hacking up a pellet often resembles a yawn. So sometimes I think a bird is just yawning but it’s actually about to throw a pellet so I end up missing the shot because I wasn’t firing a burst as it came out.
Love it and western groves!
Thanks, Nancy.
Love water shots with clear reflections. You are right that it makes you smile. I see he/she wide awake and very excited about going for a ride on mom/dad’s back.
Thank you, Everett.
And the ‘mother’ is imaging days without the extra baggage! 😂 ‘Her’ eyes just have that far away look to me! Very cute picture!
You may very well be right, Kathy.
Cute! 🙂 Hard to say which it is tho his head up and forward look suggest more excitement looking forward…… 😉 Beautiful photo no matter which way it is…. 🙂
Ha, if you want it to change just look at it again, Judy.