With their eyes completely surrounded by white and an orange bill I think Clark’s Grebes have a slightly more elegant appearance than the nearly identical Western Grebe. But I love spending time with both species, especially when they’re back brooding chicks.
I photographed this back-brooding adult Clark’s Grebe at Bear River MBR on June 16, 2016. The youngster was beside itself with excitement because it spotted its other parent approaching with a small fish and that little tyke was hungry! I thought it might jump right into the drink but in the end it restrained itself and stayed on board.
I don’t remember if it got breakfast or not because this little guy had competition. If you look carefully you’ll see the top of the head of a sibling mostly buried between the wings of the adult. Immediately after this shot was taken the second chick popped its head up to see what all the excitement was about and either sibling could have received the fish (or either adult could have eaten it – I didn’t save images that could have confirmed what actually happened). Whatever the outcome I like the photo as presented a lot.
However, the image as presented isn’t quite what I saw through my viewfinder. The instant I snapped the shutter the out-of-focus wingtip of another bird in flight (species unknown) poked down into the top of the frame and I found its presence extremely distracting so I cloned it out (seduced by the clone tool again…).
So in the interest of full disclosure here’s the unaltered image. I think it’s the wingtip of another bird in flight but it might also be part of the reflection of a bird on the water, I’m just not sure. Either way I found it annoying as hell which is why I’d never posted this photo before (although I have posted several similar shots of these birds).
Sometimes I (almost) wish Adobe engineers had never dreamed up the clone tool…
Ron
I had no idea what back-brooding was! I will never see that here in Northwest Washington, so thanks for showing what they do when they go east for the winter. They are pretty rare here and I’m not sure I would ID one in non-breeding plumage, especially amongst the Western Grebes. But, thanks to you, I’ll be looking closer now.
Lyle, the easiest way for me to tell the difference is to just look at the eye. If it’s surrounded by black feathers it’s a Western. If it’s surrounded by white feathers it’s a Clark’s.
I always like to see proof positive that ‘red-eye’ is not always a photographic disaster.
And back-brooding chicks are another sure-fire winner.
That is one hungry youngster…
That young bird seemed like it was always starving, EC. But then many of them do.
And firmly believe that they are if the vocalising is to be believed. There is a young corella around at the moment which is only quiet if it is being fed.
I love, love, love, this photo! Thanks Ron. I don’t know what I would do without that clone tool lol.
That clone tool is very efficient at what it does, Debbie.
“Faster, Mommy! Faster! Wheeeeeeee!” (I’m easily amused.) These kinds of shots give me a much-needed giggle, and for that I’m very grateful. 😀
I am sorry to hear that you are in need of a giggle Marty – and am sure Ron is glad to provide it.
Thank you, EC. <3
Nothing wrong with being easily amused, Marty!
Gorgeous pic! Love the clone job 🙂
Thank you, Joanne.
Oh how I love the behavioral shots! In addition, I love watching birds parent–they’re mostly far better than humans at the task, those who leave their eggs in others’ nests aside (that bell curve thing really works and those guys are over on the not-so-good parent side with guppies and sea turtles, but I digress). I also love watching the kiddos’ development and learning curve.
As for using the cloning tool, there’s a big item out of Pandora’s box, isn’t it? I had to giggle at that in the context of The Devil made me do it. 😉 And now that the cloning tool is out of the box, there’s no stuffing it back in!
Nope, that cloning tool is no doubt hear to stay, Laura. It has its legitimate uses but…
LOL! Great shots Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
I love all of your photos, Ron, but there is something special about back-brooding Grebes! Thanks again for sharing the joy every morning!
I agree, Diane – there truly is.
Sorry Ron – I think I typed Western Grebe even though it is a Clark’s – I don’t believe I have ever seen a Clark’s here. They really are very close in appearance, but I think your Clark’s is somewhat more attractive than the Westerns I have seen.
Everett
No worries, Everett. I fixed your typo but left your second comment because you had other things to say.
What a cute photo Ron – that little guy is definitely ready to go. Clark’s Grebes are pretty birds. Thanks for showing.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Thank you, Everett.
SO cute! 🙂 Beautiful birds and beautiful photo! It is nice to be able to get rid of something annoying, BUT also under the do I? or don’t I? thing 😉 2 miserable looking Canada Geese on the slushy creek this morning after a night of snow and blow and 13 at the moment. Also a dark morph red tail hawk watching intently as I feed the clucks in the coop – no chicken dinner for it today tho I suspect the pheasants may be in danger a little later when they come in for cracked corn at the edge of a huge spruce for cover………
Thanks, Judy. Will actual spring ever show up in MT this year? Or maybe you’ll have one of those years where you go directly from winter to summer. I remember years like that on the MT farm – made it hard to get the crops planted in time.
Suspect that’s what will happen………:(
Great shot (as so often) Ron. In my book, great cloning too! Thank you for your great blog.
Thank you, Richard.
Maybe he’s whale-watching…..or with all the colllisions, he’s ready to say, “Ahoy! Ship ahead!”
Wow, you’re up and at ’em early, Patty!
Our 11yr.old female golden/yellow lab rescue, Bindi, who was lost for 4 1/2 days following the first of our 4 Nor’easters and found just before the second, had to be in to vet’s early for surgery…the challenge now is keeping her from scratching open the surgical site….am thinking of knee high panty hose hobbles(high on hocks) and a muzzle…wrong spot for Elizabethan collar…prob. not much sleep for either of us for about 10 days(at least not because of shingles or a bad back!)…
Sounds like a tough row to hoe for all concerned. Best of luck!
Patty, I’ll keep you and Bindi wrapped in my heart for the next two weeks.
I’m so glad you found her! Whew! Poor baby!
Basket muzzles can be helpful if she’ll go for it. I have one in our earthquake kit and got my dog used to wearing it (just in case) with her favorite treats through the muzzle (cut up hotdogs and romaine lettuce — she was an odd duck).