In the last few years I may have seen more Western and Clark’s Grebes at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge than everywhere else. Unfortunately, we saw fewer grebes than usual, either because of construction on the refuge or the height of the flood waters. Shots of Grebes carrying babies on their backs have been a particular favorite, so it was disappointing that we didn’t see a single Grebe with chicks. Either we were too early (likely) or the flooding has delayed breeding season (possible).
However, that didn’t deter me from taking photos of the grebes I did see, like this one of a Clark’s Grebe trying to catch a little shut-eye in the middle of the day.
This is a typical pose, but I’m still baffled at how they can wrap their neck around and still look forward.
Although we didn’t see any Grebe chicks, most of the Clark’s Grebes we saw seemed to have paired off.
This pair of Western Grebes
seemed to be actively house-hunting,
but were apparently keeping their options open because they soon left rather than settling in.
Not seeing grebes with chicks was the one disappointment of the day, but luckily there were so many other birds and photographic opportunities that I didn’t realize I was disappointed until I got home and started editing the pictures we had (and hadn’t) taken.