Red-necked Grebes

Gallery: AvianPosted December 4, 201432,767 views14 comments

We found this pair building a nest along the edge of a small pond last spring. While they were constructing the nest a muskrat wandered a bit too close to the site. The animated grebes successfully chased the intruder away and celebrated afterward with this vocal display.

Canon MKIV; 600mm @ 1.4x; 1/125o; f8; ISO 800; tripod; manual exposure; full frame

All your comments and suggestion are very much appreciated.

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Jefferson Silva on December 4, 2014 at 7:25 PM

Beautiful image, Ken.
I like the way the look to each other.

Registered on December 18, 2012, 162 Posts, 975 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on December 4, 2014 at 7:45 PM

Good angle, a little soft in front, but I don't care! The yakkity yak and the back story just tickles me to death! I can imagine these guys high-fiving each other in celebration.

Actually, the heads appear sharp, but the chests are a little soft. Perfectly understandable with the narrow DOF at 840mm.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Alberto Patiño on December 4, 2014 at 10:52 PM

It really looks like they are laughing and enjoying the moment - great image. Reflections are a bonus, wonderful!!

Registered on December 2, 2014, 278 Posts, 1736 Comments

Comment posted by keith mitchell on December 5, 2014 at 4:15 AM

Love the interaction between these two Ken, cracking shot..

Keith.

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on December 5, 2014 at 7:00 AM

Ken,
Great "moment" with very intense colour, wonderful

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on December 5, 2014 at 7:49 AM

Nice image and telling story ! Well done ! Cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on December 5, 2014 at 10:29 AM

Love the light on these two Ken and the interaction between them is terrific. This is one Grebe we don't get here (as you know) in Colorado and wish we did. Very nice work!

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on December 5, 2014 at 11:13 AM

Gorgeous shot Ken, love the interaction, lighting and the whole reflection included.

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on December 5, 2014 at 11:28 AM

Lighting is absolutely killer and I love the dual open beaks with the reflection to boot. It looks a touch crooked at the top - but if you look at the reflections I think you have it properly.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on December 6, 2014 at 5:20 AM

Great light and action Ken

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on December 6, 2014 at 6:43 AM

Hi Ken,

Nothing like trash talking to a muskrat after a successful defense of the nest site

. Your technique has captured the event well and I like the composition and subjects plus the story behind the scene

..............................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments

Comment posted by Basri Akcasoy on December 15, 2014 at 6:51 AM

I thing one is telling funny story to other one, excellent moment shot...

Registered on February 16, 2012, 118 Posts, 767 Comments

Comment posted by Ashleigh Scully on December 15, 2014 at 6:55 PM

Hi this is a great behavior shot and it tells a cool story. I like that you included the reflections, too!

Registered on November 4, 2013, 36 Posts, 210 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on December 20, 2014 at 6:18 PM

Ken,
Great story and wonderful catch. Congratulations on the WP.

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments