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<\/p>\nI’ve found the rushing behavior of Western Grebes to be one of the more difficult bird photography challenges of all.\u00a0 First of all you have to be there when it happens and I’ve only seen it a handful of times.\u00a0 Since it usually (though not always)\u00a0involves two birds you also have the problem of getting both of them in frame and in focus during a behavior that is incredibly fast and difficult to anticipate.\u00a0 Ideally the two grebes should be relatively close to each other but well separated.\u00a0 And even if all that falls\u00a0into place\u00a0the images can be ruined by a busy, cluttered or unattractive setting.\u00a0 It isn’t easy…<\/p>\n
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1\/2500, f\/7.1,\u00a0ISO \u00a0500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f\/4L IS USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n For those unfamiliar with the behavior, rushing is part of a complex courtship that helps to establish pair bonds.\u00a0 The\u00a0birds lunge forward out of the water and run across the surface in a highly choreographed “dance” with a unique posture.\u00a0 Their wings are lifted but not extended (remiges or flight feathers remain folded) and they do not flap.\u00a0 They run\u00a015 – 60 feet across the water without vocalizing but the pattering sound\u00a0from their churning\u00a0feet is distinctive and loud.\u00a0\u00a0Rushing concludes when both birds, still at speed, dive headfirst into the water.<\/p>\n This image was taken just over\u00a0two years ago at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and was my best opportunity to photograph the behavior.\u00a0 If you haven’t seen grebes rushing before or would like to again\u00a0here’s links to a couple of video clips – clip # 1<\/a> and clip #2<\/a>.\u00a0 Enjoy.<\/p>\n Ron<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I’ve found the rushing behavior of Western Grebes to be one of the more difficult bird photography challenges of all. First of all you have to be there when it happens and I’ve only seen it a handful of times.<\/p>\n