This time of year our Western Grebes are pretty laid back. The tensions of breeding season are over and most juveniles have learned how to fish so adults don’t have the pressure of providing for them. As a result these birds spend much of the day resting, sleeping and preening and the patient and attentive photographer can catch them in some interesting stretching, water-shaking and wing-flapping poses (on those fairly rare times you find one awake..).
I photographed all of these adult and juvenile Western Grebes just under three weeks ago at Farmington. Some of these images are a little tight but the flip side of that coin is that they have good detail.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
This is called “foot shaking”, where the bird shakes a foot a few times to remove water from the foot before it is bent up and forward and placed under a wing prior to resting. This image shows the lobed (not webbed) toes pretty well.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
This behavior, called a “swimming shake”, is very common to the species. The bird rises in the water and shakes the body vigorously beginning at the tail and ending with the head before subsiding back down into the water. It is presumed that it functions in arranging feathers, so it’s a form of rousing though they don’t extend their wings when they do it.
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I caught this grebe in a wing-flap and though it’s facing partly away from me the angle provides a nice view of the extended right wing and I like the look at the scapulars (feathers on the back between the wing attachments) as the action ruffles them up and throws them away from the body.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
In my experience this stretching pose is fairly unique to Western (and Clark’s) Grebes and for me it’s an entertaining one. The neck is stretched forward over the water with the head pointed slightly up and both wings are stretched either vertically or out over the water.
1/3200, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
This is a less common pose from the species that I’ve seldom been able to photograph. When they do it they often hold their wings in this position for several seconds and this time I had a good angle on the bird. I’m not sure of its function – it may simply be a type of wing stretch or it may be a communicative behavior.
It often takes a long time to catch one of these poses as this time of year the grebes spend a large part of their day sleeping. At times while I’ve been waiting for something interesting to happen I’ve almost nodded off myself. To get this many interesting poses in a single session was unusual for me.
Good birds!
Ron
Love these. Nice to see the behaviors and get an explanation of each. I’ve often seen the leg extended, but didn’t know why. I recently got a photo of a Pied-billed doing the “swimming shake”. Hadn’t seen it before.
Thanks.
Do Grebes do the backstroke? 😄 These are wonderful (and unusual) images, and the reclining one is my fave.
This is an excellent series of Grebe photos, although I am partial to raptors, (specifically owls). But to get this many great shots in 10 minutes is astounding! I am still holding your daughter in my prayers. We can only hope she finds her way back through the healing thoughts and prayers going out to her. Hugs Ron!
Another interesting and amazing series. We can say your perseverence was very well rewarded.
The “swimming shake” behavior is funny because dogs do the same after a bath.
Thanks for sharing it.
Perseverance isn’t always rewarded, Jorge, but thankfully it was this time. I was surprised to get as many shots that I like as I did.
Western Grebes have such interesting eyes. Great shots as usual!
Thank you, Jean.
Love these all! The droplets on photo 2, the current in the last photo and the extraordinary poses, faces and focus in all 5. I’m becoming a serious grebe fan. Thanks and best wishes to Shannon. I imagine she’s deeply nourished by all facets of care she experiences from you, her family, in all phases of consciousness. In times of vulnerability, love sustains…
“I’m becoming a serious grebe fan”
Glad to hear it, Alison. I’ve been a huge fan of grebes for a long time.
I’m drawn to your blog because of the photos but what I really love is how much I learn about bird behavior. You deserved to get some good shots without having to wait for hours on end this time! My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and your family.
“what I really love is how much I learn about bird behavior”
We share our interest in bird behaviors, Linda. Thanks.
WHAT a treat to start my day with.
Megathanks.
Continued good wishes and positive thoughts flowing your way.
Thanks very much, EC.
Hi! I have enjoy all these photo’s today! Great shooting!
We are all still praying for Shannon recovery! Back in the 1950’s I had a girl friend that was in a coma for 2 month and she said !!She tried real hard to come out of the darkness when she heard voices and her family played her favorite music and it calmed her!
Jo Ann is so right about the music! As a matter of fact Shirley also rode horses! also was dragged by hers and was 2 weeks again in a coma and said she could hear in the darkness and tried really hard to come back to everyone! loving prayers to you Ron and Shannon and family! Sybill
That’s quite a story about your friend Shirley, Hummingbird Lover. 2 unrelated comas in the same person is quite the stroke of bad luck. Thank you for the good wishes for Shannon.
Grebes are fascinating birds, and these poses are part of what makes them so. I especially like the on in the 4th shot. The net result of viewing all of them is that I have an urge to stretch. And go back to sleep. Glad you had such a great day for Grebe poses.
“I have an urge to stretch. And go back to sleep”
Me too, Susan – though the reason for the urge for me is that it’s time for my afternoon nap (before a disagreeable endodontist appointment later in the day…)
Yes, the 2nd to last is my fave. 😀
That’s certainly the most interesting pose, Arwen, at least that’s my opinion.
Ron, was this several birds? Or just one? I’m guessing several.
Thanks for sharing all of your very interesting photos. As others have said “If not for you, would never see all these wondrous things”
Thanks
David
It was several birds, David – both juveniles and adults.
I agree with Patty, if it wasn’t for these exceptional behavioral shots of yours, we or I would probably never see this behavior.
Excellent job, many thanks for getting back into the enjoyable grind of blogging.
Remember, prayers and love are always with you and your family!!
“the enjoyable grind of blogging”
You hit that nail on the head, Dick. Blogging can be a grind at times but overall it’s a great joy for me. Thank you.
A fascinating series of interesting behaviors…my question was going to be if this all happened in one shooting session, but you said it was…how lucky can a photographer get!!! I find the third particularly interesting…if it wasn’t for you, I’d probably never see any of these actions. Thanks!
Yup, same session, Patty. These five images were all taken within 10 minutes of each other. Thank you.
OMG, Ron – I absolutely LOVE this series – what terrific captures that add to my knowledge of these stunning birds. What I also caught in the first photo is that the Grebes feet are similar to Coots feet – are they in the same family? I’m glad you were able to come home – that speaks a lot to your peace of mind and the fact that Shannon has improved enough for you to feel you could leave her. Especially since her Mom is now there to relieve you. Sorry it was so hot & humid in Florida for you during your stay. We usually start cooling off the end of October & to have it still humid & in the mid to high 80s is not usual. Please let Shannon know I’m continuing to pray for a super recovery. Tell her family to play plenty of her favorite music for her. They are finding that musical therapy is a great help for brain injuries!!
“are they in the same family?”
No, they aren’t, Jo Ann. Grebes are in family Podicipedidae and coots are in family Rallidae.
Thank you for the good wishes and suggestions regarding Shannon.
Great shots Ron! I know you are glad to be home. Hope your daughter improves daily.
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
Great sequence of different behaviors, Ron. Hard to tell which side is up in the 2nd to last photo. 🙂 Glad you had the persistence and luck to catch these.
“Hard to tell which side is up in the 2nd to last photo”
You’re right, Judy – that’s a fun way to put it!