Calling Pied-billed Grebe in breeding plumage – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
At my local pond it has been several weeks since I have seen groups of Pied-billed Grebes, I’ve only seen one or two at a time and that is partly because the pond doesn’t provide them with areas to nest that have little disturbance. Usually some time in February or early March these grebes leave the pond and head towards areas that have better nesting locations. I was even able to photograph some of these grebes in flight a few years ago during the time when they leave the local pond and I never thought I’d be able to do that because they migrate at night so I believe that the Pied-billed Grebes I photographed in flight were simply conditioning their wings for longer flights because they didn’t fly very far.
Two days ago I noticed one Pied-billed Grebe carrying vegetation in its bill which I presume it was gathering to build its floating nest at a small pond at Farmington Bay WMA and later on I heard the call of a Pied-billed Grebe, located the grebe and photographed it as it called. These grebes do have some interesting calls and I don’t seem to have many photos of them calling during their breeding season so I am glad I photographed this one the other day.
Listen to a Pied-billed Grebe calling here.
The Pied-billed Grebe I photographed calling is in its breeding plumage which means its bill appears more pied, or bi-colored, than it does when they aren’t in breeding plumage. With the Pied-billed Grebes in breeding plumage and carrying nesting materials I guess that means it won’t be long before I should start looking for their floating nests in the marshes and ponds here in northern Utah.
If the sun would stop hiding behind the clouds I’d be doing that today. We need the moisture but I’d also like some bright sunny mornings too.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Pied-billed Grebe photos plus facts and information about this species.
I thought they bred in the Spring…Is this SPRING??? I can’t tell..we’re expecting12, 15 or even 20″—depending on which weather forecaster you listen to…NUTS!!!
Nice photo, MiA