Western Grebes have complex mating behaviors. Mate feeding is one of them.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Just prior to and during the egg-laying period males of the species guard their mates intensely. Mate feeding is considered part of that behavior. The female, seen here, remains on the surface while her mate submerges to hunt for fish. When he emerges she begs loudly and enthusiastically for the fish and the fuss continues until he gives it to her. Here the male has just delivered the fish to his mate and she swallowed it a few seconds later. For me this image begs to have the entire reflection of the grebe in the frame but I didn’t have the room so I cropped as I did. The tighter crop does give us a better look at the fish.
This image was taken at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge almost exactly a year ago (4/28/13). I reached back into my archives for this post because we had an extended power outage last night. I normally prepare my post images in the evening but things got a little hectic last night as I rigged up a generator to keep my fridge running and give me some light in the house but of course I had no internet.
I wouldn’t have made a very good pioneer…
Ron
Another amazing image. Their mating procedures are no more complex than ours. And make a lot more sense to me.
I suspect you would have made a better pioneer than you know – and certainly better than many of us. Frightening how dependent we have become on electricity though.
Love these grebe images…always make me smile…Is the another loach by any chance?
I don’t believe it was a loach, Patty. I’ve never seen any at Bear River. This may? be a young catfish.
Gorgeous!!!
Thank you, Lois.
Great shot, interesting info.
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
I would love to see the reflection, too. Great picture!
Tana, I almost included as much of the reflection as I had but the top (bottom?) of the head was cut off and it just didn’t appeal to me that way.
Great image Ron, nicely done!
Thank the good lord you had a generator! Amazing how dependent we have become on the internet. I hate to think how we would react if we lost the internet/computer/electricity for an extended time. Yet I think we would deal, not like it, but deal and adjust. Hey, life is fun, tough at times, but a ton of fun!!!
Yeah, Dick- we’d survive but it sure wouldn’t be much fun. Especially in winter when it gets dark and cold so quickly in the evening.