Diving adult Horned Grebe, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, UtahDiving adult Horned Grebe – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

While I was at Bear River MBR on Tuesday I found and photographed the Horned Grebe that I have been seeing at the refuge since the second day of the New Year. The grebe was a little farther away from me than it had been on the 9th of January. I was okay with that. I was simply happy to find the grebe again. One of the first photos I took of the grebe showed it diving into the water.

Horned Grebe in nonbreeding plumage on calm water, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, UtahHorned Grebe in nonbreeding plumage on calm water – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The water the grebe was on was such a lovely color from the clear blue sky reflecting on it. The water was also very calm because there was no wind or even a slight breeze that morning.

Horned Grebe after surfacing from a dive, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, UtahHorned Grebe after surfacing from a dive – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The Horned Grebe was actively foraging when I found it. I took this photo right after it surfaced from a dive. The morning light made the little black and white grebe glow.

Horned Grebe at the edge of an ice shelf, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, UtahHorned Grebe at the edge of an ice shelf – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The grebe made its dives very close to an extremely thin shelf of ice. In this photo that thin ice is barely noticeable in front of the bird.

Horned Grebe on open water in a winter marsh, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, UtahHorned Grebe on open water in a winter marsh – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

When the grebe disappeared after diving into the water it was challenging to figure out where it was going to pop back up onto the surface.

Adult Horned Grebe at the edge of ice, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, UtahAdult Horned Grebe at the edge of ice – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

 Even though I would have liked having the Horned Grebe closer to me than it was I enjoyed having it in my viewfinder and being able to come home with more photos of it.

Diving adult Horned Grebe, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, UtahDiving adult Horned Grebe – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I never saw the Horned Grebe come to the surface with prey but it may have eaten anything it captured under the water.

Adult Horned Grebe swimming away, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, UtahAdult Horned Grebe swimming away – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I took 165 photos of the Horned Grebe in the four minutes I had with it before it swam way out into the open water to the east.  The four minutes I had alone with the continuing, uncommon Horned Grebe were quiet, peaceful and a delight.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see my Horned Grebe photos plus facts and information about this species.