My imagination running wild?
Yesterday morning Bear River MBR was almost swarming with Western and Clark’s Grebe chicks hitching a ride on the backs of their parents (back brooding). I took many photos documenting the endearing behavior and you’re likely to see more of them soon.
But one of those photos grabbed me for reasons that border on the fanciful.
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
These two chicks were riding on the back of their mother and eagerly anticipating being fed by their male parent who was approaching with a tiny fish from our right. The excitement of the chick on the right over the prospects of being fed was almost palpable.
But the first thing I noticed when I first looked at this photo was the adult’s dark feathers on her side that strongly resemble a pinwheel rotating clockwise. To me it almost looks like her feathery pinwheel is plucking new chicks out of her plumage and throwing them forward by its rotation. It’s a highly fanciful impression but once I saw it a couldn’t unsee it. I still can’t.
And that amuses me.
Ron
PS – In case you’re wondering how the food exchange went.
It went well for all involved except the photographer because just before the male arrived with the tiny fish, the female turned her back on me.
Can definitely see the pinwheel — even moreso after your description. I’m also imagining the chick eagerly asking, “Are we there yet?”
The image takes me back to my young childhood (ages 3-5) when we lived at the school district’s outdoor education camp. My dad would let me sit on his lap and shift the 3-on-the-tree of his 1961 Ford Falcon as we tooled around the mountain roads.
Marty, I took my first driver’s test in a ’60 Ford Falcon, the first year they came out. My uncle “loaned” it to me for the test.
They were such fun cars — and provided the basis for the 1964-1/2 Mustang!
My high school friend Peggy Simonson had one of those first Mustangs. Her dad Wayne owned the Ford dealership in town. Incredibly jealous, I was.
Delightful to see the Grebes with the babies on their back – yep, does looks like the chick is emerging from the pinwheel……. 🙂 Here it’s the Merganzers that are fund to watch with umpteen babies loading up and Mom paddling like hell…..so far none this year…….
Judy, yesterday it was the coot chicks that won the “most common” award. Coots must have had their most successful nesting season ever. Their babies and juveniles were everywhere.
Sensational shots,thanks for shring!
Thanks, Charlotte.
I didn’t see the pinwheel effect at all, but now I can. And I love it. And this special family moment is sooooo endearing. Thank you.
Glad you eventually saw it, EC. Maybe I’m not crazy after all…
Baby grebes will always bring a smile. As for the female’s feathers – I didn’t see the pinwheel until I read your text. Now I can’t not see it. In fact, I can imagine and entire game. She throws the chick forward, swims to catch it and gather it on her back only to be thrown once again. Like a puppy constantly chasing a ball. A very fanciful but fun image. I think grebes always make delightful subjects.
Dan, it’s interesting where our imaginations take us sometimes. I like where yours went.
Lovely photo. They are very cute to watch, but if I were a grebe parent all that constant calling would get on my nerves fast!
April, these little ones weren’t squawking yet but soon they will be. Relentlessly.
I could here the little one thinking “I WANT it, I WANt it!”
Ha, you may be right, Kent.
Wow, hard to beat this for cute! So happy that you captured this, Ron. Thank you.
Thanks, Ellen.
Charming! I see the pinwheel effect. I wonder if that is her version of a child gate, or a chick control gate? She is still holding feathers like that when the front chick is feeding. She turned her back on you share a private moment with her family. What fun. Thanks, Ron.
“I see the pinwheel effect.”
Good to know I’m not the only one. Thanks, Kathryn.
She is definitely smiling. So are we! What a lovely way to start the day. Thanks, Ron!
Thank you, Diane.
“Endearing” is the only possible word– I’ll smile every time these 2 photos
pop into my head–thanks for a big spiritual lift…….
Glad you enjoyed them, Kris.
Oh my goodness – such sweet images! And your child-like imagination is refreshing. I agree with your pinwheel/paddlewheel impression!
Another great way to start my day!
” your child-like imagination”
It’s true, Karen. In this case I won’t deny it.
So beautiful and touching. I seldom write but always look forward to your posts and enjoy every one!! Merci beaucoup!!
Thank you, Mary.
Excellent! Getting all three eyes visible in the first image really makes it. You can almost feel the anticipation.
“Getting all three eyes visible in the first image really makes it.”
That’s one of the keys, Bruce. Thanks for noticing. I got so many more potentially wonderful photos of them yesterday where that didn’t happen.
I see the pinwheel effect, and it is whimsical.
For me, that first photo looks as though mom is smiling.
Too much anthropomorphizing? Ah, so what. It’s nice.
Michael, this from Cornell – “Bill of female shorter, much thinner with a nearly straight culmen, which with the curvature of the mandible gives bill a somewhat upturned appearance.”
I think that’s where the apparent “smile” comes from.