A Reflecting Grebe
I sighted a lone Pied-billed Grebe in the middle of glassy-calm marsh waters and made my way down the pier to get closer to this small, diving water bird.
Pied-billed Grebes are 11 – 15″ long and weigh 9 – 20 oz. That puts them in size comparison between a Crow and a Robin.
Pied-billed Grebe males and females look basically alike; but alongside each other, the male is usually bigger with a thicker bill.
This is just two of the couple dozen photos I was able to take. The still water and lighting conditions couldn’t have been more perfect.
Adorable little cutie, isn’t he/she?!!
Very nice!
Thank you Kelly!
I love the little pied-billed grebes, and your photos highlight their beauty so well, Donna.
Thank you Jet!
Mirror-smooth water with a terrific reflection!
Thank you Steve!
Great capture Donna! The reflection is mirror perfect. 🙂
Thank you HJ! 🙂
Very cute species! 🙂
They are, thanks Tom! 🙂
I love these cuties, and your perfect photos of them, Donna. I once saw a mama grebe with babies on her back, and hope to be similarly lucky again.
Best,
Tanja
Thank you Tanja! I would love to see a mama with her babies on her back, I’ve seen others’ captures and am envious of such an awesome photo op.
I am sure your capture would be amazing. The season for babies is near! 🙂
Beautiful images of one of my favorite birds!
Thank you Jerry!
Beautiful photos! Yes, really, really cute!
Thank you Terry!
Great photographic capture.
Thank you Chris!
Lovely pictures, Donna! I liked your comment about this being two of a couple of dozen pictures. I am going through and weeding out photos from our birding trip to Florida last week and after weaning the folder down from 700+ photos to just under 500, tonight I have weeded out another 113. It is so hard to pick just the two or three from a series of, as you say, a couple of dozen. Sometimes it might be better just to throw a dart at the collection, but isn’t it fun when you get such a cute bird and such perfect weather conditions! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Susan, it is fun and exciting! I seemed to have the ‘too many’ problem a lot, lol. Lots of deletes unless you get the ‘eye light’, then it’s which ones are the best focused, which is best angle, which background is best, and on and on! And then add reflections which are tricky, with any water movement and it distorts. Sometimes it’s a madness and my head spins! 😆 And so we continue on with our awesome hobby!! I’m looking forward to your photos from Florida.
Lovely reflective shot Donna. Grebes are often found alone in the middle of lakes and only come together to breed. This one looks different to our Aussie grebe and is not found in Aus. Enjoy your weekend!
Thanks Ashley! It’s breeding season here. A month ago I had seen three of these Grebes at this same location, looks like two of them hooked up and took off for a more private area! 🙂 Enjoy your weekend too!
Lovely capture.
Thanks Brian!
I usually see one grebe on its own in the local lake, I always think the poor bird looks lonely, but apparently they are solitary birds unless it’s breeding time. I guess it’s the same for grebes everywhere. Perfect mirror reflections in your photos Donna, great work!
Thank you Sue, it was exciting with the still waters, always hoping no movement so no undesirable distortions. 🙂 Grebes are are solitary here until breeding season as well. We’re in breeding season here and I had seen three of them a month ago in this same area. Guess two of them hooked up and found private waters. This one’s still searching with that cuteness! 🙂
Cute little birdies for sure. Spot on capture Donna!!!
Thank you, David! 🙂
The reflections and images are lovely! How lucky he didn’t dive and pop up way far out of range. By the looks of it he was rather cooperative and liked swimming for you. 🙂 Hope he finds a mate and you see the courtship. Maybe chicks too down the road! Fingers crossed.
Thank you very much Deborah! He did seem like he was modeling or struttin’ for me. 🙂 Such a darling!
Superb shots! I like how you make those eyes stand out.
Thanks so much, Hien!
I too think they are cute. lovely blue colour in the water!
Thank you, Jane!
Perfect pictures.
It is nice when they cooperate so wonderfully!
I can’t help but wonder why it’s so difficult to find a favorite bird and stick with it. Seems as though I’m putting together a rather large and extensive collection of favorites! This little one is so cute and adorable it simply has to be added to the favorite list. Your exquisite images certainly help to see the beauty. Great job, Donna!
I know what you mean. 🙂 Thanks so much for your kind comments, Gunta!
Absolutely adorable and wonderful photos of the Grebe with a perfect reflection!🙂
I am glad you agree! 🙂 Thank you very much!!
I agree … adorable and great captures too!
Thank you Denise!