Clark’s Grebe pooping in flight – Nikon D810, f8, 1/2500, ISO 400, -0.7 EV, FX mode, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I took images of a Clark’s Grebe in flight yesterday and I will probably never be able to do that again because they only fly at night. These are horrible images because I was so far away from the grebe and they fly surprisingly fast.
From Birds of North American Online:
Flight
Fast and direct with rapid wing beats, neck stretched with head slightly below level of body, feet stretched out behind. Migratory flights at night, rarely fly otherwise.
From quite a distance I saw one bird attempt flight yesterday at Farmington Bay WMA and I believe that this bird is the same one because after it headed north in attempted flight it swam back south. I was trying to pay attention to the birds in front of me and keep an eye on it in case it attempted to fly again.
To my surprise… it did. And pooped while it flew.
Clark’s Grebe in flight over the water – Nikon D810, f8, 1/2500, ISO 400, -0.7 EV, FX mode, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The grebe flew north over the water very quickly and it was a challenge to keep my focus on the bird because of the vegetation nearby.
Clark’s Grebe about to land – Nikon D810, f8, 1/2000, ISO 400, -0.7 EV, FX mode, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I could see the grebe make a wide arc in flight and it headed towards an area with some open water.
Landing Clark’s Grebe – Nikon D810, f8, 1/2000, ISO 400, -0.7 EV, FX mode, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
At first I thought this was a Western Grebe but after reviewing this image I came to the conclusion that it is a Clark’s Grebe because of the extensive white flight feathers shown in the crappy image above. Western Grebes don’t show that much white in their flight feathers.
I couldn’t believe I had seen and photographed a grebe in flight during the day. The grebes are getting ready for migration and perhaps that is why I saw this grebe take a short flight.
Clark’s Grebe scratching an itch – Nikon D810, f8, 1/1000, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, FX mode, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I know the images I took of the Clark’s Grebe flying are not my usual quality but I will take them as they are and I am glad I was paying attention to that grebe. Once in a life time.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Clark’s Grebe photos plus facts and information about this species.
What an amazing privilege to see. And remember.
Whooooooaaaaa!!! I love the Clark’s! You don’t get to see that often!!
You just never know what awaits. Beautiful images and happy you were there to see his winging during the day. You teach us something all the time, Mia. 🙂
Congratulations on such an unusual capture! Persistence pays off in “luck”! I wonder if that bird was a younger one practising for migration…
:Gorgeous images, Mia. Exceptional circumstance. You were there . Thats what counts.