<< Previous Next >>

Little Grebe


Little Grebe
Photo Information
Copyright: Hilary Wilkinson (Hil) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 744 W: 11 N: 1406] (4831)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04-27
Categories: Birds
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2007-04-27 18:01
Viewed: 558
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
These little guys are so hard to catch, for the past year they have just been a splash in the water but at the moment they are building a nest so are much more visable, even so they are still hard to catch as just as you are nicely focussed they dive and come up about 20 meters away.

I have posted a WORKSHOP of the Little Grebes building a nest.

Some info...

The Little Grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis formerly known as Dabchick is 23 to 29 cm in length. It is the smallest European member of the grebe family of water birds. This bird can be found at pretty much any open body of water across most of its extensive range.

Identification
Little Grebe is a small water bird with a pointed bill. The adult is unmistakable in summer, predominantly dark above with its rich rufous colour neck, cheeks and flanks, and bright yellow gape. The rufous is replaced by a dirty brownish grey in non-breeding and juvenile birds.

Juvenile birds have a yellow bill with a small black tip, and black and white streaks on the cheeks and sides of the neck as seen below. This yellow bill increasingly darkens, eventually turning black.

In winter, its size, buff plumage with a darker back and cap, and “powder puff” rear end enable identification of this species.

The Little Grebe's breeding call sounds like a horse whinnying. One Cornish bird interbred with a vagrant Pied-billed Grebe.

Distribution
This bird breeds in small colonies in heavily vegetated areas of freshwater lakes across Europe, much of Asia down to New Guinea, and most of Africa. Most birds move to more open or coastal waters in winter, but it is only migratory in those parts of its range where the waters freeze.

Like all grebes, it nests on the water's edge, since its legs are set very far back and it cannot walk well. Usually four to seven eggs are laid, and the striped young are sometimes carried on the adult's back.

Behaviour
It is an excellent swimmer and diver, and pursues its fish prey underwater. It uses the vegetation skilfully as a hiding place.

Notes from Wilkipedia.com
nglen, lee, Necipp, bobair, uleko, Argus, wallhalla15, fartash, claudine, Raptorman, Debz, manyee, Alex99 has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Argus: ThanksHil 1 04-28 10:06
To Necipp: POVHil 1 04-28 10:02
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1989 W: 5 N: 5528] (20896)
  • [2007-04-27 18:04]

Hi Hilary. A very good shot of the Grebe.very nice colours and good detail with shap focus. the water looks good to. and goodcompostion. welldone.TFS.
Nick

  • Great 
  • lee Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 38 W: 0 N: 24] (84)
  • [2007-04-27 18:34]

Hi Hilary, nice catch of the little guy. Looks like he's on the move. Some nice colors. Looks like he is a little on the wet side. Good detail. Glad you got this one, thanks.

Lee

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1022 W: 5 N: 2801] (10142)
  • [2007-04-27 19:32]

Hi Hil. Nice photo of this wet Duck. Like his colors, and silouet of the water. Greate work. Luis52.

Witaj Hilary!
Beautiful portrait. Very good details, colours and sharpness.
It congratulates and I greet - Roma

Hi Hilary a lovely shot of the greb one of my fav water birds, good sharp focus nice detail I think I would prefer a low as possible viewpoint to get more blur in the background/forebround and make the bird stand out more. excellent job rgds Necip.

  • Great 
  • bobair Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 376 W: 77 N: 1150] (4268)
  • [2007-04-27 22:45]

Hi Hilary,
what a charmer you have presented us today,I like it.Nice details especially the eye and good focus and colour makes this a wonderful picture of this little bird.Thanks for sharing this one. Bob

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-04-27 23:32]

Hello Hil

Nicely captured with good focus and detail.They are not the best groomed of the waterfowl are they.Good eye contact.The colours are natural and the lighting very good.Well done.TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2459 W: 168 N: 7421] (23442)
  • [2007-04-28 2:02]

Hi Hilary,
This is really brilliant especially as they are really hard to photograph, they do hide away. Excellent composition with bird in focus showing sharp details and lovely colours. The water looks lovely too!
Many thanks, Ulla

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2597 W: 133 N: 7441] (23193)
  • [2007-04-28 2:06]
  • [+]

Hello Hilary,
You've certainly hit the jackpot here! These little guys are very difficult and I've come nowhere near getting as a shot as this one. You've caught the Little Grebe in its breeding finery in super lighting and water motion and it is razor sharp.
Congratulations on this first class capture!
TFS and have a nice weekend!
Ivan

Well done... these little guys are hard to catch at the best of times.

Hello Hilary,
very nice capture with great colours, lighting and sharpness/dof. Very good composition. Thank you for posting.
Gr.
Heinz

Hello Hilary
Excellent shot of this Little Grebe,
Fantastic colors and details,
Perfect composition and POV.
Superb shot.

Regards
Fartash

Hello Hilary , good comp. sharpness and well saturated colors , good luck.

  • Great 
  • Debz Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 582 W: 0 N: 866] (3283)
  • [2007-04-28 17:36]

Hi Hilary, I haven't seen the Little Grebe before, nice shot. You have lovely colour, light and luminance in this one. The Grebe is nice and sharp with a very nice POV.
tfs
debz

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3069 W: 231 N: 5859] (19702)
  • [2007-04-29 3:21]

A very cute little grebe, Hilary.
The colors are just beautiful.
The POV is great.
Sharp details and good eye contact.
TFS. : )

Hello Hil,
This is a very cute little bird that you captured well! Details and exposure are very good and I like to see its wet feathers and this light in its eye :)The picture in WS is very interesting. This is a very good post. TFS,
Claudine

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3030 W: 148 N: 4521] (14603)
  • [2007-05-06 6:43]

Hi Hilary.
In spite of difficulties of shooting this charming guy you have done this perfectly. Amazing shot and reproduction of the movement. You have create a nice image of this beauty. Quite water surface. its colour tones are wonderful too. Bravo and TFS.
Alexei.

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF