Clark’s Grebe taking a drink – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 400, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
It won’t be long before the Western and Clark’s Grebes at Farmington Bay will all be on their way to their wintering grounds but I am hoping to get more images of them before they go.
I photographed this Clark’s Grebe taking a drink the end of October at Farmington Bay WMA near the four way. I really wish I could get a lower angle on the birds I see there but the section of the road where I took this image is five to six feet higher than the surface of the water. I might have to get a ghillie suit and sit down on the shore line for a couple a hours to get the kind of low angle images I would love of these grebes.
I like the pose of this grebe, the view of the red eye, the open bill and the water droplets falling from it. The beautiful blue of the water is very appealing too!
It is mostly clear outside. I’ll be heading down the road to find some birds soon. I can’t wait. It has been 8 days now since I was in the field. I’m climbing the walls.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Clark’s Grebe photos plus facts and information about this species.
Nice work on the blacks and whites. I’ve never been able to get this close to a Clark’s.
I like the pose and the droplets of of water. It transports me to the moment.
Always a restorative joy to see your images. Thank you.
For some weird reason I ‘ve always enjoyed watching birds and other animals drink. I like the way birds scoop up water, lift their heads up to let the water trickle down their throats…(the only “trickle down” theory that makes sense to me), and how some horses just sip water, barely touching the surface with their lips, while others plunge their muzzles way down almost up to their eyes…how chipmunks and rabbits daintily lap it up with tiny tongues and deer, too, lap it up almost like dogs…or, best of all, how elephants siphon it up with their amazing trunks and spray it into their mouths…it’s ,by far , my favorite drink…though hot chocolate, iced tea, hot coffee and lemonade come close…
You sound like my wife who is also a keen observer. Have you noticed pigeons/doves don’t tilt their head back but drink as if they had a miniature hidden straw?
Beautiful image, Mia. The Grebes are interesting.