Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Grebe Fishing


Grebes are not easy birds to photograph. They're shy little things that usually avoid human presence. This Pied-billed Grebe was busy with a fresh catch which is probably the only reason it stuck around. The grebe would swim around with the fish, toss it back into the water, dive to retrieve it, and then do it again. This happened a few times until it finally cut the fishes head off. Once the fish was decapitated, the grebe happily swallowed its catch. I'd say it gives new meaning to playing with your food. Fortunately for you, I've narrowed the 60 shot sequence down to these select ten.










1/500 sec. f/11 ISO 400



42 comments:

Marc Heath said...

Only ever seen one of these in the UK. That bill looks like a good tool though. Nicely captured story.

Kerri Farley said...

WOW! What a Series! Amazing!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

He was really engrossed in that fish!

Deb said...

Fish feast.... Great series

Elizabeth Edwards said...

some one got a great treat. yum to him. ha. ha!!

hey, i have a Christmas giveaway going on at my blog ... please be sure to stop by. have a great week. ( :

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the info Brian. Good Morning.

I am clueless as what they do to hunt.

When they get the fish.

So you gave the facts along with a

excellent pictures once again.

MTWaggin said...

So cool that you can show all the things that grebe did with the fish. Who knew? I always thought they just ate them head and all!

Andee said...

I'm sure the other 50 shots were just as good. Love the action shot and ewww to the cut off head. For once maybe you're photography skills didn't have to be so sharp. lol

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

Wonderful series of shots, Brian! I loved seeing him playing with his food.

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

And the little PIed Billed Grebes are so cute ... they look like wind-up toys in the water ... who knew? The sinister look on his little face, especially when he was cutting the head off, gives us another perspective. I just sigh when I come to your blog ... you are an amazing photographer and you have to be incredably patient to get the shots that you get. I don't have to buy bird books any more, I'll just come over to your blog :) Thanks, Brian ... fantastic post!

Andrea @ From The Sol

Rose said...

Wow, what wonderful captures.

Karen said...

Fabulous captures Brian!

i stora drag said...

Love this serie of yours on this little fellow! Fantastic photos!
Greetings Pia

Anonymous said...

Love the action of the fishing Grebe. Your photos are impeccable, Brian.

Carletta said...

Outstanding series of action shots Brian!

Gail Dixon said...

Holy moly what an awesome series! Any wildlife with a meal is such a treasured photo opportunity and doesn't happen all that much. You patience paid off. Bravo!

Findlay Wilde said...

What a bird, brilliant pictures. Your a really good photographer, from Findlay.

Nette Cecilia said...

Very,very brilliant pictures ,Nette

TexWisGirl said...

the pied-billed grebe is in my top 3 favorite birds of all time. i love their tiny bodies, their tufted tail and their pluck. i wish i could see the entire 60-shot series. :)

this is wonderful!

Debbie said...

awesome brian, what a great series!!

Lindsjö taxar said...

Hi Brian! Wow, what a serie you present, great capture...thanks for you comments. Yes Trym will be handsome guy

HansHB said...

Great serie of photos. Action-shot!

Adam Jones said...

A lovely bird. I managed to see one of these in the UK a couple of years ago.

Tanya Breese said...

he almost lost his lunch! incredible shots!!

mick said...

Beautiful photos and a very interesting sequence.

EG CameraGirl said...

Super shots of the grebe!

Liam said...

Beautifully clear shots! I love them! :):):)

eileeninmd said...

Cool captures of the Grebe and its fish! Well done, Brian!

Tammy said...

Awesome series Brian! Tearing that fish apart looked like quite a job for the little Grebe!

Rohrerbot said...

Great series of shots Brian! They sure can eat:)

Faye said...

This little guy is almost puppyish both in appearance and the way he plays with his food. Very endearing. Sifting out the best photo is quite a challenge--more so for you than the rest of us, Brian! :-)

Stewart M said...

Thats a great set of pictures - I've still not managed to get any decent "fishing shots" - SM walks back towards the lake!!

Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW - Stewart M - Melbourne

Neil said...

Great series of photos.

Anonymous said...

Holy cow! And, I thought cats were vicious while playing w/ their food! LoL! Great catches, Brian! =)

Anonymous said...

ps it's like a cartoon drawn on paper if you scroll thru quickly! how cool =)

barbara l. hale said...

Caught in the act! Great series!!

Unknown said...

Excellent sequence. Very nicely done

Wally Jones said...

Great series and very nice image quality!

Red Nomad OZ said...

I wonder if the grebe usually plays with its food - or whether he was putting on a show just for you?!?!

Seema Patel said...

great series...

Dave said...

Great work - you got every part of this small piece of the grebes life - incredible shots.

To think the fish was caught, lost, recaught and well you can see it all here

Coy Hill said...

Great series Brian! This was a lucky bird, usually there are others around (not just grebes) who are trying to steal the catch.