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Pied-Billed Grebe
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Pied-Billed Grebe

by Steve Balke

Gallery: AvianPosted January 10, 2011106 views13 comments
Pied-Billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)

This is another image of the previously fluffed-up Grebe I saw at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park in Grand Cayman in December. I like the look of the bird here. I can't tell if it was looking at me or at the feather on the rhs. I just read that Grebes are known to swallow feathers to provide a lining in their stomach. They are said to regurgitate them periodically to rid themselves of parasites ["Princeton Encyl. of Birds, C. Perrins, 2009, p64]. So, maybe this Grebe is thinking about that….or maybe not!

All comments most welcome.

1D Mark IV, EF100-400 f/4.5-f/5.6, hand held: 390mm, ISO 1000, 1/1000 s, f/5.6, -1/3 EV, 5.3 MP after cropping, usual NR, exposure adjustment, sharpening.

Comments

13 comments
Comment posted by Steve Balke on January 10, 2011 at 7:32 PM
As soon as I posted this I could see that it's a bit dark. So, here is a version with more exposure on the water.
Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments
Comment posted by Barbara Graham on January 10, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Beautiful little bird, great detail.
Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Dudley on January 10, 2011 at 9:00 PM
This one struck a chord with me Steve. I love the way the grebe has passed the feather but is apparently looking back at it. I also like the beautiful water and the light on the entire bird. I think your comp for the situation works very well. Personally, I prefer your repost.

Part of the reason this image really interests me is that I did a blog post on grebe feather eating behavior recently. Here's the link if anyone's interested (posted here with Steve's encouragement - thanks Steve). http://featheredphotography.wordpress.com/?s=grebes+feathers
Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Balke on January 10, 2011 at 9:18 PM
Ron, I'm so glad that you posted the link. Your summary of the feather eating phenomena of grebes is directly relevant to my image and is better than any I've seen in any of my books. Also, it's good to know of your very fine blog. I see many topics of interest. Thank you. :smile:
Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments
Comment posted by KC Choo on January 10, 2011 at 10:30 PM
The repost suits me better.
Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments
Comment posted by richard remington on January 10, 2011 at 10:38 PM
Great picture of a tough bird. They are so dark it is difficult to get good detail on the feathers. the floating feather is an added bonus.

Rick
Registered on March 12, 2010, 105 Posts, 368 Comments
Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 10, 2011 at 10:42 PM
really an interesting shot, Steve. I like the comp, and the look at the feather is really cool in the behavioral context. Repost looks best to me.
Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments
Comment posted by Angela McCain on January 10, 2011 at 11:14 PM
Nice image of the grebe. I like the moodiness of your original post, but the detail of the repost. (How's that for a PC reply)
Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 11, 2011 at 9:52 AM
Beautiful, Stave. I like the head turn and the water is gorgeous. The floating feather is a nice touch. :toast:
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on January 11, 2011 at 4:05 PM
Nice capture you have here Steve. I like the ripples and colors on the water and the look back makes this real nice. I like the repost best.
Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments
Comment posted by Dan Moore on January 11, 2011 at 4:52 PM
Your last two Avian postings have been just super IMO. The second post is better for me-I am trying to change my natural attraction to darker processing and I feel that it is finally sinking in.

Dan
Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments
Comment posted by Wayne Willison on January 11, 2011 at 5:31 PM
NIce Grebe, Steve. Never had any luck getting these little guys close enough. I really like the image, the water colors and ripples, the reflection and that feather. I didn't know they swallowed them. Interesting.
Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments
Comment posted by Albert Darmo on January 12, 2011 at 9:32 PM
Hi Steve :wavey: The repost looks better to me. Very good detail and color.. the feather adds much to the scene. great photography! :smile:
Albert Darmo. Canada
Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments