Pied-billed Grebe

Gallery: AvianPosted May 31, 2013119 views13 comments

I saw a family of three tiny fluffy Grebes grow to this almost full-sized juvenile in the short space of 13 days at a small pond in Indian Wells, CA last month.

1DX, 600mm + 1.4X, 1/3200 @ f7.1, ISO1250 (forgot to lower from previous shaded subject!), afternoon light at 6:45.

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by May Haga on May 31, 2013 at 11:24 AM

Excellent KC. Love the nice intimate low angle. These are one of my favorite grebes. I also like red-necked, eared, horned and western. Come to think of it, I like them all. Now if I could photograph them all as beautifully as this one I would be very happy.
May

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

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on May 31, 2013 at 11:26 AM

Very nicely captured. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on May 31, 2013 at 11:36 AM

Nice POV, colors and reflection ! Love the way it still has the striped throat. Well done ! Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on May 31, 2013 at 4:53 PM

Nice angle and water ripples, Kwan.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Tjie Poo on May 31, 2013 at 5:22 PM

Beautiful capture Kwan. I like the green water and very interesting plumage change on the Grebe.

Registered on December 4, 2012, 51 Posts, 511 Comments

Comment posted by John Sherman on May 31, 2013 at 5:26 PM

Nice bird. Looks just a tad contrasty on my monitor. I'd like to see a bigger version.

Registered on March 10, 2013, 31 Posts, 142 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on May 31, 2013 at 10:36 PM

Nicely done with vibrant colors on the face of the grebe. The smooth background and foreground help to bring out the colors of the grebe

.....Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Bacon on May 31, 2013 at 10:52 PM

First time I've seen a young Pied-billed, fascinating color and markings on the head. I love the low POV and the way the bird is framed by the ripple in the water. Well done.

Registered on November 24, 2008, 56 Posts, 492 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on May 31, 2013 at 11:38 PM

Nice low angle Kwan and not easy to get close to this breed IMO. I have ever seen an immature in the wild, so thanks for sharing.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Kirk Greene on June 1, 2013 at 6:55 AM

Well done. This is why I like photographing and studying pictures of waterfowl. The low angle, the detail, the reflections..they are all great. I would like to see a larger version to fully appreciate the details. Try the ISO safety shift on the 1DX..it will help you shoot at the lowest ISO setting once you set the shutter speed.

Registered on May 12, 2004, 191 Posts, 1578 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on June 1, 2013 at 4:23 PM

Try the ISO safety shift on the 1DX..it will help you shoot at the lowest ISO setting once you set the shutter speed.

Many thanks, Kirk! I was not aware of the "Safety Shift" feature and will test it immediately.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Strand on June 1, 2013 at 6:46 PM

I love this clear shot of the PB Grebe KC, the water and reflection a plus. I love shooting these as well and always wonder if during creation of the PBilled if someone didn't announce that they needed to line up to get "Tails," and the PBilled misunderstood and got in the line that was handing out "Ale's!"

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on June 2, 2013 at 6:37 PM

Pied-billed Grebes are so darn cute. How fun to be able to watch them grow up. Such a nice portrait-- low angle, wonderful light.

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments