Albums | Steve Large Photography

Avian

Horned Grebe in Morning Light
Many of the horned grebes at Deep Bay are in full mating plumage now. It wont be long until they head off to their spring nesting grounds.

Handsome Guy (Eared Grebe)
Always a treat to run into some of these birds when we travel back east in the spring time. Like the horned grebe, they have an amazing transformation from winter to summer plumage. They have different names depending on what continent you live on. In Europe they are referred to as "Black-Necked Grebes".

Frank Lake Eared Grebes
Although we did not find any horned grebes at Frank Lake, there were a few of the eared grebes floating around. Here is an image of a mated pair in fairly close to the shore. Forgot to mention, in Europe they are referred to as "Black-Necked Grebes".

Come a Little Closer (Horned Grebe)
The grebes were coming in a bit closer at Deep Bay today.

Riding The Wave (Horned Grebe)
The water got a bit choppier later in the morning.

Transformation Nearly Complete (Horned Grebe)
Got this horned grebe today displaying nearly full mating plumage. This guy is about 80 - 90% there. Not too sure how much longer they will hang around now before going to their breeding grounds but I am hoping to get more good shots of them before they do.

First Horned Grebe of 2023
There was a lovely horned grebe at Deep Bay today in winter plumage. Just couldn't resist. If only they would come in this close in mating plumage. Got down on one knee for this shot.

Early Morning Shoot (Eared Grebe)
Another image from our early morning shoot at Beaver Ranch Flats.

Early Morning Light (Eared Grebe)
We arrived at the venue when it was still dark so we were able to catch the first rays of sunlight. This image was taken with the 600mm and 2X converter at the equivalent of 1200mm.

Spring Transformation (Horned Grebe)
Did my best on this one to mitigate the harsh light. So amazing how different these guys look now compared to the winter. I will give them another week or so to get closer to full breeding plumage before making another visit. This is where it gets tricky. If I wait too long they will have left for their nesting grounds in the interior and I will miss them.

Beautiful Even in Winter Time (Horned Grebe)
The horned grebes have totally converted over to their winter plumage once again at Deep Bay. Such an amazing transformation. Like two totally different birds.

Interior Trip June 2021 (Eared Grebe)
Lots of these beautiful eared grebes up in some of the ponds and pot-hole lakes in the interior of B.C. This image is the result of a mixture of technology from three different companies. The Sony A92 MILC camera attached to a Sigma lens converter and a Canon EF-600mm F/4 with 2X teleconverter. Not bad results.

All Up in a Flap (Eared Grebe)
In a pond in the interior of BC an eared grebe takes time out to stretch his wings. This image is the result of a mixture of technology from three different companies. The Sony A92 MILC camera attached to a Sigma lens converter and a Canon EF-600mm F/4 with 2X teleconverter. Not bad results.

Deep Bay Horned Grebe
There is usually a handful of these guys feeding close to shore. I have also seen red-necked and eared grebes there on occasion as well.

Out of Season (Red-Necked Grebe)
Taken at Deep Bay a couple of days ago.

Male Western Grebe
A male western grebe catches a small fish to present to his mate as part of the mating ritual.

Ripping Through The Weeds (Western Grebe)
An image from the "rush" at Salmon Arm from last year. Hope to visit again in a couple of weeks.

Reflections On The Water (Western Grebe)
Found this one in the archives from our visit to Salmon Arm.

What's The Rush? (Western Grebes)
Here is an image from a slightly different angle of the western grebes rushing at a small marsh in Salmon Arm Bay.

Stare Down (Eared Grebe)
An eared grebe turns to stare back at the camera in a pond near Tunkwa Lake B.C.

Walk On Water (Western Grebe)
Went to Salmon Arm today to watch the western grebes with their world famous mating dance. The process is called "rushing" and they actually move their feet so fast that they are able to walk on the water for short distances. Really awesome to see in person. Highly recommended!

Tunkwa Lake Eared Grebe
Here is a new species for me. Really beautiful in a weird sort of way. Not too sure of the clarity on this one. Had to hand hold again with 840mm.

Deep Bay Grebe
Made another visit to Deep Bay this morning. Lots of action as regards sea birds today.

Grebe Mother and Chick
This Pied Billed Grebe chick keeps warm by nuzzling on its Mother's back.

Keeping Warm with Moma
You can't really tell from this photo but there are eight chicks with this female Pied-Billed Grebe. She has three under each wing and two on her back. It was quite a bit cooler today with the cloud cover and I guess the chicks were trying to keep warm.