Clark's Grebes

Gallery: AvianPosted November 18, 20121,009 views17 comments

I'm a sucker for interesting behavioral images and this is one I enjoy. This chick was actually providing the propulsion for itself and its parent by doing the paddling for both birds - sort of an outboard motor with feathers.

I had conflicting rotational cues on this one (eye reflection, vegetation reflections and wake angle) so I just split the difference...

1/1600, f/8, ISO 400, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, shot from pickup window on 6/4/12 at Bear River MBR, cropped to 64% of original image, exposure adjustment in ACR, sharpened birds and disturbed water, no additional processing or adjustments, natural light, not set up, baited or called in

Larger version provided

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by John Neukirch on November 18, 2012 at 6:01 PM

An incredibly cool capture. Right place, right time.

Registered on July 9, 2012, 207 Posts, 1476 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on November 18, 2012 at 6:36 PM

Real nice image - I like the reflection and the kicking feet which really demonstrates how far back they are on the bird

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on November 18, 2012 at 8:06 PM

Now that is what I call working for your room and board. Very nice Ron.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on November 18, 2012 at 8:45 PM

Terrific as posted. I've yet to see (let alone photograph) a grebe of any species with passengers like this.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on November 19, 2012 at 1:39 AM

Wonderful behavioral capture, Ron. Really remarkable. I've never gotten remotely this close to a Clark's; props for your stalking skills too. Very nice work on the difficult blacks and whites, too. Excellent shot.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Turner on November 19, 2012 at 8:55 AM

Right place at the right time for a wonderful capture. Action, colors and comp perfect.

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on November 19, 2012 at 11:37 AM

Ron,
This is way too cool as well as heart warming. It brings a smile to your face and portrays nature at its very best. Congrats on capturing this very special shot and your technical expertise makes it even more outstanding.

This is one of those well deserved Weekly Picks that no one can disagree with, Congradulations again.

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on November 19, 2012 at 2:24 PM

Sweet shot Ron. As if the chick wasn't enough, that back foot and the splash really bring it over the top.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on November 19, 2012 at 2:35 PM

Wonderful timing to get this behavior shot with the legs kicking out and fully extended out of the water. Without your description it would of been hard to figure this one out. I like that both have eye contact and good job on the b/w contrast. Way to cool, excellent shot Ron.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on November 19, 2012 at 5:50 PM

Wonderful capture Ron. Love the baby and the foot behind the grebe. Also like the reflection.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on November 19, 2012 at 8:02 PM

Great stuff Ron, love the kicking action of the little one

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Vanessa Caccamise on November 19, 2012 at 8:07 PM

Sweet image.. love the splash behind the feet!

Registered on February 7, 2012, 17 Posts, 57 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on November 20, 2012 at 3:51 AM

Awesome shot Ron

Little fellow must be in training for the Olympic games. Excellent details too!

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on November 28, 2012 at 2:54 PM

This is terrific- technically perfect, as usual, and unusual behaviour.
Reminds me of a kid learning to kick in a pool, buoyed by a paddle board.
Congrats on another exceptional WP!
Sandy