Clark's Grebes Courtship

Gallery: AvianPosted November 3, 2010174 views14 comments

I had a great time with this pair of grebes one afternoon at Klammath Lake early last spring. They courted most the time I was with them, often very close to me. I kept hoping they would perform the running side by side phase of courting, but unfortunately this pair did not. Although I did see several pairs at a distance perform. Oh well, the desire to capture that display gives me a good reason to go back next spring.

I appreciate all your suggestions and comments.

Canon 40D, 600mm, f11, 1/1600, ISO 640

I finally have my new web site on-line, please check it out when you have the opportunity.

Ken Archer

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on November 3, 2010 at 6:46 PM

Ken, Wow, excellent!
Getting two close together and in focus is great - plus the fish!

Klamath is the best place I've found for grebes - I'll be back this spring too.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on November 3, 2010 at 6:55 PM

This is really great. Love those eyes. Whites look just a bit bright, but detail is there so it the exposure works for me. The bird on the right is tack sharp, bird on the left is just a bit shy of sharp. F11 should be plenty of DOF given the bird's positions to eachother. Must have been just a bit of movement by the left bird to keep it from being quite as sharp.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on November 3, 2010 at 7:52 PM

Very nice behavior image. I agree the left hand bird is not as sharp as the right hand bird, but not IMHO a real problem. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Elwood on November 3, 2010 at 8:50 PM

Terrific behavior captured Ken!! I would love to have an opportunity with this species!!

Registered on January 15, 2010, 101 Posts, 396 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on November 3, 2010 at 8:54 PM

Neat interaction evident in the poses, Ken. Nice detail in both birds and it looks like you managed to hold the whites down.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on November 4, 2010 at 12:40 AM

Spectacular shot, Ken! This is very intimate and special.

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on November 4, 2010 at 9:30 AM

Lovely image, Ken. Looks like a gift offering.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Pete Bengeyfield on November 4, 2010 at 4:05 PM

Very nice, Ken. A nice behavior beautifully captured.

Registered on December 2, 2003, 1247 Posts, 3439 Comments

Comment posted by Karen Summers on November 4, 2010 at 7:00 PM

beautiful shot those eyes are stunning

Registered on December 3, 2009, 83 Posts, 818 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on November 4, 2010 at 7:50 PM

The intimate look at this behavior makes the shot for me Ken. I also like the coy look of the presumed female as she prepares to accept her gift. This is a tough exposure but you did pretty well with it. I've found that mating dance you refer to to be one of the most difficult bird behaviors to photograph - for a variety of reasons. We'll both keep trying I'm sure.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Moore on November 4, 2010 at 8:50 PM

A lot going for this one Ken. The poses -expressions if you will- fish and THE EYES. Thanks I really enjoyed seeing this one.

Dan

Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on November 6, 2010 at 6:17 PM

Sweet interaction and shot Ken, after seeing this I'm going to want to head down there next year too.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on November 7, 2010 at 6:38 PM

Wow, great action Ken.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on November 29, 2010 at 7:04 AM

Great work Ken, it looks like the settings worked well to pull them both in nicely..
I especially like the behavior I see as the male right? seems to be making a love offering. Very cool :)
One suggestion would be to patch/clone out that tiny bit of hot white stuff at the base of the females neck.
Well done!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments