It felt great to photograph a molting, immature Clark’s Grebe three days ago at Farmington Bay WMA because for the last few years I haven’t taken many images of this species.
Molting immature Clark’s Grebe – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500,mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
When I checked my Clark’s Grebe portfolio on my site the most recent photo entry was from 2017 and there have been several reasons why I’ve photographed so few of them.
The first reason is access which is limited at Farmington Bay WMA during the nesting season and the second is that the best water units for seeing grebes reliably and in good morning light at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge have been drawn down for three years in a row.
I sincerely hope that the refuge does not draw the water down on Unit 2 again next spring so the grebes can finally start nesting there again.
My best chances for seeing Clark’s Grebes during the breeding season at Farmington Bay WMA have been at Glover Pond yet most of the time they haven’t been there when I have been there during that period of time. I just can’t takes images of them if they aren’t there when I am.
After the gate is opened past Goose Egg Island in September at Farmington Bay there have been loads of grebes in the water unit to the east of the road but in the morning that means a poor light angle. I’d have to go to Farmington in the afternoon to get the best light on the grebes in that water unit.
This molting, immature Clark’s Grebe was photographed at the 4-way at Farmington Bay WMA, this bit of water used to have dozens of grebes on it at this time of the year but the other day there were only a few and I took advantage of their presence and photographed them.
Our Clark’s and Western Grebes will be leaving here soon and except for a few downy feathers on this one’s forehead it looks like it is ready to take on its first migration.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Clark’s Grebe photos plus facts and information about this species.
So cute and so weird!
Simply gorgeous.
I wish it safe travels.
Wonderful timing! I do not see even the outline of wings on this bird, it is so fluffed up!
Great shot! Love how the water frames the picture.