Typically by this time of the year the water at Farmington Bay WMA is frozen over but this year it wasn’t when I photographed this Pied-billed Grebe 4 days ago.

Pied-billed Grebe and still waterPied-billed Grebe and still water – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

As much as I adore wild, swirly reflections as shown in this Pied-billed Grebe image has I also enjoy the reflections of calm, still water because they show more details, less shape distortion and have a mirror-like quality.

There are still quite a few Pied-billed Grebes at Farmington Bay WMA but the Clark’s and Western Grebes have gone. I still see a few Eared Grebes at Farmington Bay and along the causeway to Antelope Island. The pied-billed Grebes will stick around as long as there is open water which may be all winter long here given how odd our weather has been.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Pied-billed Grebe photos plus facts and information about this species.