On my most recent trip to Bear River MBR, I had a huge thrill. I found four baby Pied-billed Grebes still in their striped juvenile plumage in the marsh.
Four baby Pied-billed Grebes in late summer – Nikon D500, f8, 1/500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
While I was a little surprised to find such young Pied-billed Grebes this late in the summer, it didn’t take me long to focus on the babies. Even though they were pretty far from me, I wanted to document their adorable cuteness. It turned out that their distance from me was a benefit because I could fit all four of the tiny grebes in my frame.
I was very happy with this image in particular because I could see the eyes of every grebe chick.
Two late summer Pied-billed Grebe babies – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The striped plumage that these young grebes display has always fascinated me. My eyes are also drawn to the cinnamon-colored patches at the tops of their heads that match the color of their bills.
Pied-billed Grebe Chick Development
Even though temperatures have been dropping here in northern Utah, these baby grebes develop quickly. These chicks will be able to fly before the water freezes over. Pied-billed Grebes will stick around the marshes, ponds, and lakes until just before the surface of the water ices over. Before then, they will move to open water in nocturnal flights.
A few years ago I was extremely excited when I was able to take photos of adult Pied-billed Grebes making practice flights at my local pond. The grebes were preparing to fly to their nesting grounds that day. I never thought I would be able to photograph them in flight because they usually only do that at night.
When it comes to my bird and nature photography, I have learned to expect the unexpected, and that has worked out well for me. I didn’t expect to find baby Pied-billed Grebes this late in the year, but I did!
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Pied-billed Grebe photos plus facts and information about this species.
Awww. I am glad that you saw these total cuties too – and relieved to learn that there is still time for them to mature before the cold weather hits.
What fun! Glad you were able to spend some time with these cuties. Interesting that in the first shot, the “leader” seems to be sitting a lot lower in the water.
Really charming shots!—Jeri S.