Autumn colors and a juvenile Pied-billed Grebe – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 400, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
While at Farmington Bay WMA two days ago I couldn’t resist photographing this juvenile Pied-billed Grebe in one of the ponds because of the wonderful reflections on the water. The reflections were from cattails and phragmites and showed that some were still green while most of them had died back. I purposely used the FX mode (full frame) on my D810 because I wanted to capture as much of the reflections as possible even though that meant the grebe would be smaller in the frame.
Juvenile Pied-billed Grebe with reflections of Autumn – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 400, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I found the richness of the colors and the swirls in the reflections very appealing while I watched and photographed this young grebe and even more so when I got home and viewed the images on my monitor.
In the image above I thought the swirls in the water on the left side of the bird caused by its movement looked similar to the vapor trails that can be seen behind fighter jets. Strange thought I know but that is what it reminded me of.
This is a relatively young Pied-Billed Grebe which at this time of the year means it came from a second brood. I can tell that it is young because of the markings on its face, older chicks would not have those markings.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Pied-billed Grebe photos plus facts and information about this species.
That background is really good camouflage for the bird!
That water looks like silk, or satin. Soft, smooth and sensuous. And the bird matches its beauty perfectly.
Very nice. As Patty remarked, the camouflage of the grebe nicely match the water.
Interesting how the colors in water echo some of those in the bird….beautiful patterns and swirls….
Wonderful shots.