"Western Grebe Family"
By: Mike Lee (Janesville, CA)
Anyone following my photographic endeavors for any length of time knows that I’m fascinated with the western grebe, especially their reproductive process. After what is a very elaborate courtship process, a pair will build a nest made of and perched atop reeds that grow in shallow water. They then diligently maintain that nest as the female lays 2 or 3 eggs comparable in size to chicken eggs. Incubation duties are done in shifts as the male and the female take turns sitting on the eggs. Whichever bird is not on the nest will continue to maintain the nest by bringing more material frequently and will also feed its mate that is sitting on the clutch. After just over 3 weeks the young hatch and crawl on a parent’s back, often burying themselves in the adult bird’s feathers so deeply as to not be visible. Once the entire clutch hatches the parents will move the little ones to safer hiding areas with the babies hitching a ride on mom’s and/or dad’s back. I’ve long known of a grebe rookery at Antelope Lake in Plumas County California, just a few miles from my home and long wanted to watch the nesting process in detail. I finally got around to it in 2024 and greatly enjoyed watching the nests being built, the eggs incubated, and finally a few newly hatched little ones. Photographing the babies is certainly challenging, even with a long telephoto lens, as they are quite small. I was fortunate that this nest, while far enough from shore so I wouldn’t spook the birds as I sat on the shoreline, was close enough that my gear had the “reach” to photograph these proud parents and one of their hatchlings. After many missed frames I even got everybody in there and some nice early morning catch light in a couple of their eyes. I hope someone enjoys the image as much as I enjoyed watching these wonderful creatures create the next generation!
Camera Information: Canon R7 - Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L
Image Location: Plumas County California
Category: Live Wildlife
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