This was OUR WORLD a week ago today. Also for WORLD BIRD WEDNESDAY. Thank you to the hosts of both of these lovely memes.
After a sunny weekend spent with family and friends, we woke up last Monday to a cool misty gray day. Using the weather as an excuse, I spent the day indoors reading -- books and blogs. About five in the afternoon, I decided to force myself to go outside and play. It was nearly time to think about dinner and I almost didn't grab the point and shoot. But I did, and while the pictures aren't the best, they do illustrate why I'm glad I went out and enjoyed OUR WORLD and the BIRDS in it!
The pied-billed grebe family was swimming in the wetlands toward the end of the usual Jeans Road stroll. (This was a new bird. The ones we usually see are Western grebes.) I was happy because the first glimpse was the mother with 4 little ones following. Then, I thought I'd witnessed a tragedy because she swam into the reeds and when she returned, there were only two babies. I walked a little further and turned around -- then, she was there again with three followers.
When I got home and looked up this bird (which we're pretty sure of -- the picture in the Audubon looks exactly like it)...I read that the mother will carry the babies on her back. And when Bill downloaded the pictures -- and we enlarged them -- sure enough, we could see at least one baby on her back. So apparently she was swimming into the reeds and maybe the babies were taking turns piggy-backing. I guess she's teaching them to swim on their own.
Earlier on that same walk, before I even left the RV Park, I saw two cedar waxwings feeding each other while perched on an evergreen bush. They are the first waxwings I've seen for a long time. By the time I'd fumbled out the camera they'd flown apart. This a terrible photo crop (It kind of looks like a paint-by-number picture) but it also helps as a reminder of why I need to GO OUTSIDE!
Because it's a wonderful world out there!
A wonderful world you share with us ! Thanks to you !
Posted by: Annie | September 11, 2011 at 07:38 AM
These are the only grebes we see around here though I've seen the Western Grebe elsewhere in California.
Posted by: Martha | September 10, 2011 at 01:27 PM
I like the effect in the waxwing photo, looks like an oil painting! Grebes are lovely birds, I think most species carry their babies on their backs at least sometimes, always wonderful to see and capture on film!
Posted by: Crafty Green Poet | September 10, 2011 at 04:18 AM
Oh, that is exciting. I have always wanted to see a swan or duck with babies on her back.I always seem to miss out.
Posted by: Lesley | September 07, 2011 at 12:14 PM
Cool pictures, Sallie! I love the one with the little chick on the grebe's back, also the one with the whole family. The Cedar Waxwing shot looks like a painting. I like it!
Posted by: Hilke Breder | September 07, 2011 at 10:02 AM
I love that top shot of the Grebe family - glad you got outside for the capture. But those gray, dreary days are nice for reading!
Posted by: Pat | September 07, 2011 at 06:43 AM
I love the family pic
so sweet
If you were up here we could have days of reading - and I suggest a little drinking - it will be rainy all week
Posted by: dianne | September 07, 2011 at 04:28 AM
Sallie, I happen to like the way your cropped photo turned out, its artistic!
Love Mamas feathery baby ride.
hugs,
Pam
Posted by: Pam | September 07, 2011 at 04:17 AM
Hi there - nice picture of the grebe - and I like the paint by number comment!
It's great to be outside - but sometimes you just need to be indoors!
Stewart M - Australia
Posted by: Stewart M - Australia | September 07, 2011 at 01:57 AM
I love photographing birds, but I can never find my pictures in the books for identification. So I just keep in shooting and posting in hopes folk will tell me what I am shooting. Three lovely sots. Nice work. genie
Posted by: genie | September 06, 2011 at 08:12 PM
Gorgeous!
Posted by: SandyCarlson (USA) | September 06, 2011 at 07:27 PM
So sweet that the babybird is riding on the mothers back. Great post!
Posted by: fjällripan | September 06, 2011 at 02:18 PM
Lovely post. I like especially the first photo:)
Greetings.
Joo
Posted by: joo | September 06, 2011 at 02:05 PM
Yes, it is a wonderful world and I'm realizing that once again as I come out of my year-long funk.
The cedar waxwing photo at first looked like needle point to me. I thought maybe you were sharing another of your talents with us.
Thanks for sharing photos and info about the grebe family. Is it safe to assume grebes are ducks? Are ducks birds? I have a lot to learn, don't I?
Happy day to you. donna
Posted by: donna | September 06, 2011 at 01:22 PM
Fabulous shots, it's so good that you went out with your camera. How lovely that the mother bird gives the wee ones rides on her back.
Posted by: Marilyn | September 06, 2011 at 12:58 PM
Excellent post. Yep, that is why we go outside, to see the unexpected. I have never seen that behavour where a young duckling gets up on its mothers back. Cool to see it here! Cheers!
Posted by: springman | September 06, 2011 at 11:44 AM
Lovely images of the Pied-bill family Sallie.... we had one over here last november (blown over by storms) the first seen in the UK for 8 years. It caused quite a sensation.
Waxings are always lovely to see... and you have your record shot to prove it.
Take care...
Andrew
Posted by: Andrew | September 06, 2011 at 11:28 AM
Nice bird shots. I love going outside too.
Posted by: Al | September 06, 2011 at 11:00 AM
I can relate to not wanting to move much. But like you, when I go out, I'm always happy I did. You were rewarded with some sweet surprises, Sallie.
Posted by: Francisca | September 06, 2011 at 10:38 AM
Yes, it's truly a beautiful world out there! Thanks for sharing!!
Posted by: Esther Garvi | September 06, 2011 at 10:36 AM
Cool sighting! I love the bit about piggy backing. I have never seen that done before.
Posted by: Sally in WA | September 06, 2011 at 10:36 AM
We've had rain for two days now and it is hard to even get outside. I think you've hit the nail on the head for me Sallie, I have to get out more. I see blogs with posts of birds, a snail, a woodland flower and wish I had photos of my own and then realize I have to go OUT in search of it if I want it. :)
Glad you got the grebe and babies in their leafy abode and great reflections too.
I know we are all smiling about your paint by number comparison. Knowing this is a SOOC shot and no post processing makes it more wonderful. :)
Posted by: Carletta | September 06, 2011 at 10:32 AM
Wonderful photos, Sallie, I even like the paint by number! I noticed the piggy-back babies in the first shot before I studied the photos or read your narrative, and I though of loons. I'm glad you didn't let me continue in my ignorance! Now I know that other birds carry their babies sometimes...:-)
Posted by: Dimple | September 06, 2011 at 08:43 AM
Hello Sallie,
I think I also have to get outside to see or discovr beauty of nature like you. The first photo is very lovely. The admirable babies follow mother.
Thank you for sharing about cute birds.
Posted by: Sarah | September 06, 2011 at 07:57 AM
What a lovely family! The top shot is great.
Posted by: JM | September 06, 2011 at 05:36 AM
Thanks for sharing the details on how the mother carries the little ones, that is so nice.
Posted by: Wayne | September 06, 2011 at 05:13 AM
It sure is a wonderful world out there. This series of shots are terrific.
Posted by: diane | September 06, 2011 at 04:58 AM
Loved the post and its good to know something more about these adorable birds as well! I completely agree, every once in a while, we need to get outside... it really is a wonderful world out there! Thanks for sharing with us that wonderful beauty :)
Posted by: Arti | September 06, 2011 at 03:10 AM
Good that you went out !
BTW "Our World" is on my main blog "Writer Cramps"
Posted by: Gattina | September 06, 2011 at 01:39 AM
pretty cool capture.
Posted by: Ewok | September 05, 2011 at 09:48 PM
Beautiful shots of the bird.
Posted by: Rajesh | September 05, 2011 at 06:26 PM
We don't see many of the waxwings around here. They are beautiful. I have seen cardinals feeding each other and it just takes your breath away, doesn't it?
Posted by: Penny | September 05, 2011 at 05:47 PM
Yes, it truly is a wonderful world out there! My grebes carry their babies on their backs as well. We have a pair of resident Little Grebes. They are such fun to watch and listen to. Aren't those babies a little late in the season?
Posted by: Arija | September 05, 2011 at 05:17 PM
Lovely photos of the Grebes and how great to get one with the baby on the back.
Posted by: Mick | September 05, 2011 at 04:37 PM
You have such amazing photos, and great trips! Glad to visit virtually! Still working on the damn pond...at a barrier.
Posted by: Jenn Jilks | September 05, 2011 at 04:03 PM
oh, i adore pied-billed grebes! we've had one or two winter with us these past two winters, but i'm always sad when they leave us to go north in spring. LOVE those babies!!!
Posted by: TexWisGirl | September 05, 2011 at 03:12 PM
THAT is an adorable photo with baby riding on moms back and the other following--I like the paint by number look its very cool!!
Posted by: Sondra | September 05, 2011 at 02:43 PM
I like your paint-by-numbers waxwing! It would look nice done in needlepoint. My mother would have loved to do that.
And the mother Grebe carrying her babies is just too much for this old softie. Happy tears in my eyes.
— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Posted by: Kay Davies | September 05, 2011 at 01:25 PM
Hello Sallie, I just love your Grebes. I do not see them often here. Love the piggy bacc photo. The Waxwings are beautiful birds and have been a favorite of mine too. I am glad you were able to get out and enjoy the walk.
Posted by: Eileen | September 05, 2011 at 01:09 PM
I love the first capture with the birds in the reeds, reminding me a little of some types Oriental art. I know what you mean about the camera. I rarely leave the house without mine anymore … just in case a scene triggers that urge to shoot a fleeting moment in time!
Posted by: aka Penelope | September 05, 2011 at 12:53 PM
I'm glad yoi decided to go outside.
Posted by: EG Wow | September 05, 2011 at 12:51 PM
I'm glad you went out, too! Love the beautiful photos you were able to get. But it is great to have a day with a book!! Hope you have a wonderful week ahead! Enjoy!
Sylvia
Posted by: Sylvia Kirkwood | September 05, 2011 at 12:48 PM
Great post!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Posted by: Boom & Gary | September 05, 2011 at 12:47 PM
We should enjoy the outdoors line these beautiful creatures too!
Posted by: Ebie | September 05, 2011 at 12:36 PM
I love days when I can curl up with a good book. Glad you got out though and took these wonderful shots. The reflections are great and the waxwing is also such a fun bird.
Posted by: Carver | September 05, 2011 at 12:29 PM