Grebe

The great crested grebe is widespread throughout most of Europe except the north, inhabiting lakes or large ponds with large beds of reeds and rushes.

An interesting courtship ceremonial takes place: the partners, separated by several yards, first greet one another by stretching their necks out along the water’s surface. Then they swim towards each other, spreading their crests, nodding their heads and finally embracing each other by rubbing necks. The birds call to each other throughout. Sometimes they dive, surfacing with a piece of greenery in their bills and treading water face to face with heads erect. (this is fascinating to watch)

The nest is made of various plants brought up from the depths. The female lays three to six eggs which are white at first, but then gradually acquire a brownish hue. Both partners take turns incubating for 25 to 27 days, though the female takes the major share.

After the nestlings have dried, they climb onto their parents’ backs and partially conceal themselves under the wings, so to be carried about even though capable of swimming and diving by themselves. The parents feed the young small insects and molluscs; adult birds take mostly insect larvae and fish.

Photo info :-

Exposure...........:- 1/640s @ f/5.6
Exposure mode......:- Auto
Exposure program...:- Aperture Priority
ISO Speed..........:- 100
Focal lenth........:- 400mm
Metering mode......:- Patern
White balance......:- Auto

This was a nice day for me, plenty to photograph, the weather was perfect. I was also fortunate to witness the grebes dance like mating ritual and was quite amazed by it. (my first time)
These birds are amazing to watch so if you get the chance and know where to find them, I would go pay them a visit

A future upload will be of the two grebes dancing

Camera:	Canon EOS 5D
Lens:	100-400 IS Lusm
Recording media:	raw digital

Title:	Grebe
Username:	Loupix
Uploaded:	19 Mar 2007 - 6:00 PM
Tags:	350d, Bird, Canon, Eos, General, Grebe, Kignsbury, Park, Water, Wildlife / nature
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Votes:	9