They are Back
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Join Date: Oct 2011
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They are Back
One of my favourite species, the Great-crested grebes are back at the lake. Ive been following and photographing them for 6 years at this site.
The weed dance is part of courtship display.
They incorporate allsorts into the nest fishing floats are often used. They are very caring parents. This pair had 3 nests washed out, and failed to raise any young.
Pair bonding occurs regularly
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Caught in the right light they are stunning birds.One of the reasons the RSPB was formed because grebes feathers were used in hatmaking and was causing a decline in their numbers.
The young when born like to hitch a ride on the parents back, they remind me of Humbugs.
The weed dance is part of courtship display.
They incorporate allsorts into the nest fishing floats are often used. They are very caring parents. This pair had 3 nests washed out, and failed to raise any young.
Pair bonding occurs regularly
Caught in the right light they are stunning birds.One of the reasons the RSPB was formed because grebes feathers were used in hatmaking and was causing a decline in their numbers.
The young when born like to hitch a ride on the parents back, they remind me of Humbugs.
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Join Date: Jul 2011
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I`d love to see the courtship dance, never witnessed it. Glad to hear they have returned Brian 
Like image No3 although all good
Like image No3 although all good
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Thanks Mark, one of the shots im after is when they rise up and run across the water together, 6 years and still waiting.
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Join Date: Jul 2011
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Its a full day session to capture that one
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Kit 1 Canon 5D MkIII Canon 100mm-400mm USM IS L Lens Canon EF 75mm-300mm Lens Sigma 70mm 300mm APO DG Macro Lens Canon F1.8 50mm Prime lens |
Kit 2 Modified Canon 500D Canon EFS 18mm 55mm 1:3.5 - 5.6 |
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My Compact/P&S: Panasonic Lumix DSC LZ7 |
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First shot is excellent! Lucky Brian! It's not fair we very rarely see these here and they are a personal favourite of mine 
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Great set Brian and I love number 3 very well shot and they have beautiful looking red eyes, can't say I have ever seen these....
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Excellent Brian. The ones with the youngster hitching a ride are brilliant.
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What lovely birds these are! I would be willing to camp out to watch them..would they be related to Loons? Love your photos of them..Shirley
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Shirley - they're not related to loons, though they do look similar
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Kit 1 Nikon D800 Nikkor 50mm f1.4 Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8 Nikkor 105 mm f2.8 macro Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 Sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG HSM Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM Nikon 70-300mm AF f/4-5.6G Nikon 50mm f1.8 |
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Thanks guys for all your comments, spent many hours watching these entertaining birds.