On only one occasion have I been able to include an entire family of 5 or more Western Grebes in the same tight photos. It happened on August 23, 2015 at Bear River MBR.
- Note: On my recent post of a back brooding Clark’s Grebe several readers were interested in the subtle differences between Clark’s and Western Grebes when I pointed out that the red eyes of Clark’s Grebes are completely surrounded by white. Notice that in these adult Western Grebes their eyes are surrounded by dark (black) plumage instead of white. I find that to be the most obvious trait to use in the field to distinguish the two species.
1/2500, f/8, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Western Grebes typically lay 3-4 eggs and by the time the chicks reach this size there usually isn’t enough room on the back of a parent for more than two youngsters at the same time. Here the taxi is already overloaded with two chicks (notice the long gray body of one of them hanging off the back of the parent) so the third youngster is tagging along behind and awaiting an opportunity to climb aboard. Usually the second parent is off fishing for its family so a second taxi isn’t available.
1/500, f/18, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
But 12 minutes later the second parent joined the group and one of the chicks took advantage of the situation and climbed aboard. If I remember correctly (and I believe I do) soon after this shot was taken the swimming youngster joined one of its siblings on the back of a parent but by then the birds were past me.
For my tastes the distinct and very busy reflections in the water pretty much ruin the image aesthetically but I was still happy to get the entire family in the same photo. I believe this is the only time I’ve been able to get 5 or more family members in the same tight, intimate photos (though I have done it from a much greater distance).
I’m also pleased to have enough depth of field to get all 5 birds acceptably sharp, though I had to adjust my camera settings pretty drastically to accomplish it (f/18 is mostly unexplored territory for me). I was quite close to these grebes so the image hasn’t been cropped much (this version is 81% of the original image) which means that depth of field was potentially a significant problem.
Apologies to readers for posting so many older photos lately (even though most of them are new to my blog they’re still “old”…) but we’ve had so much dreary weather that it just hasn’t been worth the effort to head into the field. Thankfully the forecast is calling for a few days of clearing so I’m hoping for an improvement in that tiresome weather pattern and maybe even some new images soon.
Ron
Fam damily – I haven’t heard that expression in years. My dad used to say it – he’d have been 86 this month. So in addition to the adorable and instructive photos of the Western Grebe family (I’m also a fan of the reflections, but I get your point), thanks for stirring up some very fond memories.
I love resurrecting old sayings like that occasionally, Robyn. They remind me of so many folks from my parent’s generation that I admire very much.
I know it might date me in the eyes of some readers but to hell with it, I do it anyway! And after all, I’m an old guy myself now…
I’m going to echo others in that the reflections make the shot for me. You’re far too hard on yourself! I’ll also agree with EC in that cuteness seems to be a trait across species intended to keep them alive. If they weren’t so darn cute, most species would have died off because the parents would have lost patience in their overwhelming annoyance and eaten them in the context of “I brought you into this world…” Yes, I know it’s a hormonal thing that keeps parents from doing that (guppies are excluded from this discussion being way far on the other end of the bell curve), but the cuteness helps a LOT!
Thank you for introducing me to grebes. I hope to see them out in the wild one day soon!
Laura, I’d agree that the reflections in that shot have their own inherent interest but for me that’s the problem – because they’re interesting (and far from subtle) they tend to pull my eye away from the birds. Different strokes again and that’s perfectly fine…
The water and reflections make this shot for me. It looks as if the Grebe family is cutting through an oil painting (think What Dreams May Come.) Truly an image I would frame and hang for others to enjoy.
I’m glad you like it that much, Arwen. Thank you.
Wonderful shots Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Ron, what interesting photos and narrative. I wonder what the Mother would say if she could speak, particularly in the series where the ‘too large’ chick seems to want to ‘enjoy a ride’ as long as it possibly can.
I love the beautiful eyes of the adult.
Thanks, Ron
Thank you, Alice.
I love the pictures of the babies riding on their mother’s back!
I am going to Maine this summer to try to get pictures of loons with babies on their backs!
Thanks for all your wonderful pictures and information!
Good luck with the loons, Adele.
I think it is a necessary quirk that youngsters (of almost all species) are cute. Otherwise their demanding, infuriating, noisy ways would ensure that they didn’t survive.
And these youngsters have their fair share (and perhaps a little more) of the cuteness gene.
And I like those busy reflections – the family looks serene but the busy reflection is probably a more accurate take.
Thank youo.
You probably make a good point about cuteness, EC.
There were many times when I told my most recent foster puppies that it was a good thing they were cute!
Grebes are so fun to watch. I am glad I am not a parent grebe the babies never stop screaming! My summers were always taken up with rehab until several years ago when I cut back. I am so glad you introduced me to them at BRMBR. I have been watching them ever since. I missed them last summer with the observable pond being drained (poorly timed in my opinion) I hope I will not miss them this summer with my trip to Australia in June and July.
“poorly timed in my opinion”
Not only was it poorly timed, after they drained it they changed their minds about doing the construction project it was drained for so the didn’t do it at all. So it was all a waste – of nesting habitat and opportunities for birds and for viewing experiences of visitors to the refuge!
You introduced me to the wild, wild world of Grebes and for that I can’t thank you enough. Grebe chicks never fail to to make me smile — especially when they’re hitching a ride. Too adorable! The family portrait is superb (I like crisp, clear reflections even if they’re a bit busy).
I totally understand the itch to get out there and yet am happy that some of these fine shots of yours get to see the light of day on your blog as you dig through your archives and disc storage. Makes me wonder what other gems you have already on your computer. 🙂
Thanks, Marty. Yes, I have a few more gems in the archives but with all the images I have it always takes a long time to find them. It’s like a treasure hunt!
I checked out the post of the ‘optical illusion’ you referred to. Very interesting…a most persistent youngster! Reminds me of that youngest child that does not want to grow up! 🙂
That youngster was terribly persistent in its efforts to climb aboard, Kathy. And in the end it just seemed to slide off the other side of the adult because it was too big and slippery to stay up there. Hilarious to watch!
the second photo is classic! Love seeing the whole family in a single shot!!! Those babies on the backs of their poor parents’ may be a pain, but are cute as heck!!!
Yes, they are cute. And loud. And persistent. And annoying. But cute overrides everything else. Thanks, Patty.
As always more delightful bird photos, thank you. I didn’t get a chance to see yesterday’s post until today.(plus I am currently in Norway, so I am behind the times) Anyway, if you or your readers would like to read more history about the Montana gold mine freighters, you can find an excellent book on Amazon called Reminisces of Alexander Toponce.
Thanks for that tip, Marvin. I’ll definitely check that book out. Somewhere I have a different book on the same subject but at the moment I can’t remember the title or author.
Marvin, Actually the full text of “”Reminiscences of Alexander Toopance, pioneer, 1839-1923” has been digitized and is freely available online so I’ll read it there. I have no patience so I hate to wait and besides – it’s free!
Here’s the link:
https://archive.org/stream/reminiscencesofa00topo/reminiscencesofa00topo_djvu.txt
I finally got to yesterday’s blog and I have to comment on the portrait of Joseph Smith Dudley.
I used to do black and white portrait photography, back in the day, and I always looked up to the old studio photographers. Nothing beats the quality of the contact print and a big view camera! Incredible detail combined with a straight-forward, honest photographic approach to compelling subject matter can’t be beat! And this image of your ancestor has all those qualities in spades! I don’t believe I’ve seen a finer old portrait. (And I’ve looked at thousands -believe me.)
Almost makes me want to delve into the realm of portraiture again… Hmm… if only I liked people a bit more 🙂
You make some interesting observations about that portrait, Joanne. I noticed the same things.
Interestingly, there were two versions of that photo that I obtained from the Compton Collection at Utah State University – the one I posted and another one that had been retouched – his skin was smoother, wrinkles were removed etc. and he actually looked younger. But of course I preferred the version I posted because that was what “Killer Joe” as I call him really looked like.
Obviously they had their own ways of “photo shopping” images back then… 🙂
Truly beautiful shots! Your old is new to me so I enjoy every one and the added insight. The reflections of the youngsters in the family photo are really special! As a side note…how long do the youngsters ride on the parents?
“how long do the youngsters ride on the parents?”
Kathy, the short answer is they’ll attempt to do it for as long as they can get away with it.
I once photographed a youngster that was AT LEAST as big as its parent try to climb on the adult’s back. It was hilarious to watch. Those images can be seen here if you’re interested:
https://www.featheredphotography.com/blog/2016/08/13/western-grebes-an-optical-illusion-and-a-behavior-new-to-me/
Beautiful photo’s – even the “busy” one – being partial to reflections probably one of the reasons. 😉 Thx for pointing out the differences between the Clark’s and Western. If one didn’t know that subtle difference it would be tough to identify them correctly. We got slammed with a short lived spring snow storm yesterday evening that made a slushy mess driving…….. Can even see the redish mark on the one baby’s head that you’ve previously explained wasn’t an injury…..:)
“If one didn’t know that subtle difference it would be tough to identify them correctly”
Exactly, Judy. In my experience many folks never even notice that they’re sometimes seeing two different species when they’re in the field. They just assume that they’re all Western Grebes. For many years they actually were considered to be the same species (just subspecies in the same species) but fairly recently they were separated into distinct species.
I love these photos and I’d love the chance to see these birds in person sometime. Their taxi-riding young are so charming to behold! The first photo is a stunner but I really like the 2nd one too -it’s so difficult to capture a group photo where everyone is looking just right and in the ideal place. Well done.
I don’t mind the older photos a bit since I haven’t seen most of them… and they are of such high quality, seeing them again would never be a chore. Always a pleasure! Thanks again for sharing.
“it’s so difficult to capture a group photo where everyone is looking just right”
It sure is, Joanne. And this time I also got a catch light in all 5 eyes which really pleased me because that seldom happens.
What a beautiful family portrait! I’m always amazed at the size difference between the adult male and female. Thanks for being a bright spot in my otherwise overcast and dreary morning!
“I’m always amazed at the size difference between the adult male and female”
That’s right, Diane. It typically isn’t apparent when the birds are apart but when we can see them together at the same time it becomes obvious.
Hello Ron, No apology needed as I’m sure there must be new-comers to your blog, as I am, that enjoy your past photos with explanations. If your blog postings are a mirror of your past professional life as a teacher—you were a stand out! Don
I appreciate that sentiment a lot, Don. These photos are new to my blog but they’re still “old” and I prefer to mostly post newer images when I can.