Adult Eared Grebe in April – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
One morning last week I had many opportunities to take Eared Grebe photos at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge including one grebe with a large fish. Eared Grebes do breed in Utah and I would dearly love to find some young ones to photograph one day. Unlike the last Eared Grebes I photographed on the Bear River and shared here these grebes were all photographed in the marsh near the auto tour route at the refuge.
Eared Grebe with a large fish – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
When I spotted this Eared Grebe with a fish I photographed it swimming around with its prey. It was the first time I had found an Eared Grebe with prey that large. As this grebe swam around I spotted a Pied-billed Grebe swimming towards it.
I knew that the Pied-billed Grebe was going to try to take the fish away from the smaller Eared Grebe and mentioned that out loud. Sure enough that is exactly what happened. The Pied-billed Grebe didn’t get the fish though. After a short chase the Eared Grebe swam away with its prey.
Eared Grebe in the wetlands of Bear River MBR – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
On the south side of the auto tour route I found more Eared Grebes to photograph not far from the road. I loved the colors of the marsh vegetation that were reflected on the water.
Spring Eared Grebe – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 1250, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I enjoy having these small grebes in my viewfinder and will photograph them whenever I have the opportunity at the marshes of Bear River or on the hypersaline Great Salt Lake where they can be seen by the thousands during spring and fall migration.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Eared Grebe photos plus facts and information about this species.
What an intriguing and beautiful bird. I love the detail and reflections in the water you captured. Thanks Mia.
Great photos! I got a giggle from your title, which I mistakenly read as “Spring-eared Grebe Photo” – I was wondering what a “spring-eared” bird would look like… perhaps like something from Dr. Seuss!
I never knew what a Grebe looked like although I’ve seen the name many times. Thanks for capturing this beautiful and unusual bird.
These are beautiful. I am always happy when they are closer at BRMBR rather than way out on the Great Salt Lake. I wish I could see them with babies!
Hope that the Eared Grebe was able to swallow that huge fish!
Oooh. I do hope that the eared grebe didn’t suffer from ‘eyes bigger than his belly’. Love those multi coloured reflections too. Many thanks.
I have never seen an Eared Grebe (would love to) but I didn’t realize that they are smaller than a Pied-billed Grebe. So pretty.
So glad the eared grebe kept his fish!