Late Clark’s Grebe Plus A Rough-legged Hawk On A One Way Sign

Late Clark’s Grebe at Bear River MBR in December – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Yesterday I found and pointed out a few birds at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge including a very late Clark’s Grebe I spotted from the auto tour route. I haven’t seen Western and Clark’s Grebes in several weeks so I was surprised when I found this one yesterday morning.

With cold and snowy weather coming in today it is my hope that this Clark’s Grebe took off last night to head for warmer climes. The grebe looked healthy and uninjured to me plus we have had warmer than normal temperatures this fall so this grebe may have hung around longer than usual. I just hope it was healthy enough to fly to wherever it overwinters and that it does that soon.

I checked eBird and there have been some sightings of Clark’s Grebes in December of previous years.

Adult male Rough-legged Hawk on a One Way sign – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I found and photographed several Rough-legged Hawks yesterday morning that are overwintering on the marshes of the refuge. Of those Rough-legged Hawk photos I liked this image of an adult male, light morph a lot. The light was nice, I liked the over the shoulder look I got from him, the soft color of the sky, the hint of the marsh vegetation at the bottom of the frame, and I liked the One Way sign with the arrow pointing up too. That sign is actually leaning so I straightened it in post processing.

I liked the symbolism I perceived in this photo. The One Way is up. Or forward. Onward ho!

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Clark’s Grebe photos plus facts and information about this species. Click here to view more of my Rough-legged Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.