Grebes have some unusual physical features and behaviors.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed this Clark’s Grebe yesterday morning at Bear River MBR. The attachment of grebe’s legs to their bodies is so far to the rear that they’re able to achieve some eye-catching foot and leg positions like this one. When Clark’s Grebes (and Western Grebes) are resting on the water they fold their legs over the top of their backs and then store them under their wings and on top of their backs in a process called foot-shipping.
But before they ship their foot they raise and shake it vigorously to rid it of excess water, which is what this bird is doing. The foot-shaking is extremely fast as is evidenced by the slight motion blur of the foot even at 1/4000 sec shutter speed. The softness of the foot is not a depth of field issue because the rest of the bird, including the rump, is sharp.
Immediately after this photo was taken the grebe placed that foot under its wing, laid its head down on the middle of its back and tucked its bill to the side of its long neck in that characteristic resting posture of the species.
In this image I enjoy both the behavior and the indistinct double reflection of the head/neck and the raised yellow foot.
Ron
I have never seen this before, and we have these birds near us. Interesting. Thanks Ron!
Are you absolutely sure that foot belongs to that Grebe??? Looks totally impossible!!!
I’m pretty darned sure of it, Patty. But I know what you mean…
Soooooo clever.
And echoing (as usual) other commentators.
How lucky I am to be still learning. And to live on this amazing planet. Awe and wonder. And joy.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, EC.
Wow! And boggle too! I knew about the leg position, but had no idea they could tuck them into their wings. That would prevent a great deal of heat loss in cold water, without having all that bare skin exposed. Very cool! Thank you!
Exactly, Mikal. There’s a lot of surface area in those large feet and lobed toes.
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WOW! Are there any other water fowl that do this little trick? I was hoping the next photo would be one of actually tucking the foot under the wing. 🙂 Maybe next time? Great photo and commentary!
Jane, Grebes are the only birds I’m aware of that do this.
The actual tucking is hard to photograph well because they slip that foot under the wing without the wing being raised as they do it so the actual process is very difficult to see. I have lots of photos after they do it but of course you can’t see the leg or foot then.
Great shot, Ron. I love the pose. Grebes seem to be one of the more interesting species to watch because their behaviors seem to be very different from most other birds.
Grebes are quite unique, Susan – in a lot of ways.
“Bet you didn’t think I could wave at you from my behind! See, how flexible I am!!”
I’m sorry Ron, but when I looked at the image for the first time I was laughing in recollection of watching a grebe try to walk and where their legs are placed. In another time I saw a grebe with one leg under its wing I watched it slowly moving in circles, fortunately it was calm on the lake.
Great shot, fun info!
Dick, I once watched as a Pied-billed Grebe tried to walk on ice. It was doubly hilarious because even on land they struggle so much to walk but on slippery ice it was absolutely impossible.
Wow, that is very interesting, I had no idea they could do that… Grebe Yoga 😉 Beautiful shot too!
Rocki, once they’re relaxed in the presence of humans they do it often. Thank you.
A great image capturing behavior I’ve never seen before. I’m amazed that at 73 I can still learn and enjoy … thanks Ron. Jer
We never stop learning, Jerry. And if we enjoy it, all the better. Thanks.
Jerry, it’s good to learn something new every day…the trick is keeping it in there. LOL!
Now there’s a cool, if somewhat weird, adaptation. I wonder what inspired that and how that behavior/ability benefits them in the overall scheme of survival things? Betcha that’s another one of those ponders that has a definitive answer but we’re not gonna figure it out! Ah yet another one of those mysteries of life. Ain’t they grand?
“I wonder what inspired that and how that behavior/ability benefits them in the overall scheme of survival things”
Laura, that unusual leg/foot position makes them efficient and explosive swimmers, including when they’re chasing down fish underwater. A duck for example, with its legs attached underneath, is a significantly slower swimmer than a grebe.
The down side to that leg position is that it makes grebes pretty much unable to walk on land. I’ve seen them try and it’s hilarious to watch.
Nature is just grand, isn’t it? While enjoying the beauty of rocks last night, I was telling a friend that I’m amazed so few people really SEE the wonders we have on this planet. Granted, we’re stuck here on this spinning rock and this is the only planet we know, BUT, it’s pretty darn spectacular in its diversities and wonders. Perhaps I’m just easily amused, but still… 🙂
Smiling ear to ear from this photo, Ron. 🙂 Amazed at the flexibility they exhibit! The reflections to add to the photo. 🙂
I’m always happy to bring a smile, Judy. Thanks.