Nesting time, a photo from South Yorkshire, England

Photographer's Note

Today I have posted three pictures that all share the same title.

This is a Great Crested Grebe. These birds are well-known for their elaborate courtship dance, during which they rise vertically out of the water and shake their heads.

They are diving water birds, feeding on small fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Their nests are floating platforms of grasses and weed. Usually to be seen on lakes and reservoirs.

I saw this bird and nest on a man-made lake that had previously been a sand quarry. The nest was close to a pavement where there was regular footfall.

Please look at the other shots in the workshop.

Thanks for looking.

holmertz, PaulVDV, jhm, Fis2, ikeharel, pajaran, pierrefonds, mcmtanyel, ktanska has marked this note useful

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holmertz (94680) 2021-04-05 7:25

Hello Jean,
All these photos are very nice and interesting, but this is the best one. It's a wonderful bird and the nest is quite spectacular. The photo is very clear and well exposed. I hope people walking by showed some consideration so they wouldn't disturb the bird.
Kind regards,
Gert

PaulVDV (56367) 2021-04-05 8:40

Hello Jean,
Amazing those floating nests. Do they float roughly in the same place? Imagine they drift to places where more people often pass by.
The nests look pretty untidy indeed, but these birds will know how sturdy they must be made.
All three photos are excellently taken.
Best regards, Paul

jhm (205205) 2021-04-05 8:45

Hello Jean,

Indeed this a Great Crested Grebe, are also in Belgium present.
An excellent composition and nice presentation too.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice day,
John

Fis2 (158197) 2021-04-05 8:50

Witaj Jean!
A good set of photos, nature images are impressive.
Beautiful birds and their nests.
Good frames, colors and sharpness.
Well done.
Nice afternoon.
Krzysztof

lousat (131429) 2021-04-05 9:36

Hi Jean,old pics but a symbol of this month,so like a breaking news..ehehe..beautiful capture of nests of moorhens and grebe too,excellent quality despite the distance and the difficult location,i like it! Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

ikeharel (107081) 2021-04-05 10:03

Hello Jean,
Wonderful nest three pictures on water, and a bird specie that I never saw before.
The view through the reed works well with depth and its fine clarity.
Good evening,
Ike

kasianowak (16134) 2021-04-05 10:26

Hi Jean
Three lovely photos shouting "spring!". Nesting birds are such a wonderful subject. I like the light and the colour of the water.
I think the birds in WS are coots, rather than moorhens but the two species are very similar.
We have grebes both in my local park in the UK and the lake in Poland by which I'm spending a lot of time these days so I'm hoping to see some baby grebes this year and hope.
Best wishes
Kasia

Tue (84002) 2021-04-05 11:24

Hello Jean,
These are always such beautiful birds and you captured this one so well while sitting on its small green nest in the middle of the water. Well spotted and captured in a fine light.
Lars

pierrefonds (105537) 2021-04-05 15:54

Hi Jean,

The vegetation is framing well the duck. The point of view is showing the details of the Great Crested Grebe. The light is making the colors to stand out. Have a nice day.

Pierre

mcmtanyel (59384) 2021-04-05 19:02

Hello Jean,
Nice to meet this Great Crested Grebe. I wonder how they manage to keep their eggs warm on top of all that water.
Regards,
MT

ifege (35317) 2021-04-05 21:56

Hi Jean
3 good nesting photos and with the main one we just get to see the birds eye.
cheers
Ian

jemaflor (137430) 2021-04-05 23:11

Hi Jean,
nice view with this bird and the nest, good sharpness and nice vegetation and water, good photogenic result, tfs.

ChrisJ (162628) 2021-04-06 0:07

Hello Jean,

A good shot of the nesting crested grebe, safe in its watery enclave away from prowling cats and aggressive stray dogs! Good sharpness and tight framing. Tfs!

dedee (941) 2021-04-06 0:14

Hi Jean
A very well composed image. The bird centre stage but other elements also important.

Royaldevon (78328) 2021-04-06 4:08

Hello Jean,

I know this was taken quite a while ago but there is no doubt that watching birds has become more popular and has given people a sense of relaxation as they have watched them during lockdown!

This grebe looks to have its own original lido and appears very contented on its floating nest!
I wonder if the reeds (more obvious on your w/s photograph) help to protect the bird and the nest from vertical attack.
A fine trio of shots, where the water fowl can be perused at length.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

everlasting (18764) 2021-04-06 8:41

The fine images of nesting birds but I think you chose well for the main. As you rightly say the courtship dance is amazing to see as it that of swans. Nice light and colours on the grebe here

ktanska (41005) 2021-04-06 11:14

Hi Jean,
These are one of the most beautiful birds, at least of those that can be found in Finland too. So nice to see a fresh nest. Not too long and there would be chicks too. A bit difficult to get optimal view between the reeds. And even though there's on if of the beak, focus is just right.
Kari

emka (153414) 2021-04-07 3:33

Hello Jean, Very nice view of this bird in the nest. I often saw them, but usually, they appeared for a short time and then dived. Charming picture, sharp and in good colours.
Best regrads Malgo

abmdsudi (90109) 2021-04-08 4:14

Hi Jean
You are so fortunate to see this nesting Grebe in person. Beautiful detail, looks content, hope she has a successful brood! Lovely...
Best regards

mkamionka (63498) 2021-04-09 12:46

Hi Jean,
this is a beautiful one. The moorhens are very common here but the grebe seems to be more shy and although I see it sometimes on a lake but further in the distance. This is a nice close capture.
Great series, very well done,
M

COSTANTINO (106045) 2021-04-09 23:23

hello dear friend and have a nice day
hello my little duck...
a sweet photo taken perfectly
from you the right timing
regards
costantino