Flight of the Grebe

[Stu Bowie]

I have not managed to capture a Great Crested Grebe swimming, so capturing one in flight was a lifer for me. This was captured as he flew along the Milnerton Lagoon in Cape Town. Unfortunately he was flying on the far side of the Lagoon, thus he was quite far away. I didn't want to crop too much, thus I've left space around. The sky BG was the best I could do. Taken early morning.

Canon 1D Mark IV
Canon 300mm F/2.8 +2X TC = 600mm
1/2500
F/6.3
ISO 800

Manual exposure

[William Dickson]

Fantastic Stu. Love the flight pose and, the detail on the bird, still shows good, despite the crop. Never seen one of them flying, great capture.

Will

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Stu - I like this a lot. Nice warm light, excellent flight pose and sharpness despite the distance. I also like the placement in frame.

TFS,
Rachel

[David Salem]

Very rare to get a grebe in flight. I know the Westerns and Clarks grebes out here rarely fly and they prefer to fly in the secret of darkness. They are not very manuverable and an easy kill for a hungry falcon or hawk. Nice looking down wings pose and I like the colors and the good look at the folded crest. Good comp for the IQ and Bg. Well one Stu

[christopher galeski]

Nice image Stu,never seen one inflight before,nice light and detail,well done.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Nice work, Stu. A rare opportunity captured. Thank you for sharing.

[Bill Dix]

Congratulations on the Lifer-Shot. I don't believe I've seen a flying grebe posted before. Good flight position, and nice loose comp.

[Doug Brown]

I didn't realize these birds can actually fly! I thought they walked from destination to destination! Nicely captured!

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a stack for all the feedback everyone.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the wing position, sharpness, exposure and loose composition. Excellent image Stu!

[Randy Stout]

Stu:

I was just going to say I have never seen a flying grebe, when I read the other comments! I also didn't realize they occurred in S. Africa.

Agree with all the above comments.

The flying pose is somewhat like a loon, with neck and legs drooping a bit from the body.

David - thanks for your comments about grebes flying habits. Although loons aren't graceful flyers, they do fly in the day, and with a top speed of almost 90mph, I don't suspect they are attacked by raptors often, but your comments on the grebes makes me wonder.

Cheers

Randy

[Tony Whitehead]

Great catch, Stu. I have never seen one fly either. They are quite widespread even occurring in New Zealand.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Stu I have literally dozens well perhaps more shots of grebes none in a clear sky like this - well done, you have given me renewed incentive!!