Horned Grebe

I've seen these birds only recently, but the ID is more or less confirmed by my field guide. It appears the birds are going through a transition from juvie to adult, winter plumage to breeding plumage. Anyway, they aren't as skittish as the pied bill grebes so common around here, but they are tough to shoot because they constantly dive and stay down for long periods. These were on Tampa Bay, shot with Bigmos at 500 mm.

Nicely done Stan, I have yet to see one but I know what you mean by tough to shoot, I have gotten some Hoodies, they don't stay down all that long but you had better be quick. Can you send some of that sun up here?

nice, love the color

Nice shots of a grebe I want to photograph badly, Stan! Actually you could use its constant diving to your advantage. What i did was, i observe their favorite diving areas. Then as soon as they dive in, i move closer and stay very low profile (on belly). Sometimes they pop up even closer than they dove. As long as your stay still when they come up, they won't mind at all.

Nice shooting Stan. Good colors and IQ.

Nicely done my friend... I always say the Pied-billed Grebe is the "cutest" bird on the water, but this guy has real interesting and pretty colors.

Dave

Thanks for all your generous and nice comments.

Fee, I was already at the water's edge, no way to move closer. However, once or twice the bird came up closer to shore and gave me these opportunities.