Saturday 23 October 2010

Great Crested Grebe.

Despite the dull overcast sky a short detour along the River Thames towpath recently provided a very brief opportunity for me to watch a Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) at reasonably close quarters for once.
This is the largest of our Grebes with its distinctive long low body, long slender neck and the long slim bill that is extensively pinkish and paler than our other species.
In full breeding plumage the rusty orange-red head ear tufts are very distinctive and during courtship the dark head plumes are raised and vigorously shaken.
Its typical relaxed pose is with the head and bill pointed downwards. (Reminded me of of someone peering over their spectacles perched on the end their nose!)  The Great Crested Grebe is common sight on inland lakes, reservoirs and rivers plus large numbers congregate along our coasts in winter.
This individual is slowly changing into its winter garb when the colourful ear tufts will completely disappear and its head, foreneck and flanks will become more extensively white.
All too soon it was time for it to head to the other side of the river and for me to move on after another brief but enjoyable wildlife encounter.   

Whilst not a particularly notable milestone the statistics indicate that this is my 400th post. I had no idea when I started blogging on 3rd Jan 2009 that it would become so addictive but it has definitely helped me to adapt to the various changes in my lifestyle over the past year. More importantly I wish to thank all my regular readers and blogging friends for continuing to leave their very supportive comments. To all those who may casually drop by I also appreciate you taking the time to visit.   FAB.

39 comments:

  1. Congratulations on #400! I truly enjoy stopping by to see your excellent images and your commentary makes them all even better.

    Best,
    Lois

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  2. Frank, I love this guy. He's so adorable. I've never seen one of these in the states. Carol

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  3. Hi Frank...Wonderful photos and so clear of the Great Crested Grebe!!
    I like its bit of a punk hair-do cute!!
    It is my pleasure to follow your blog!!

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  4. Wow, awesome! That 3rd shot is esp fabulous! I love seeing the eared and pied billed grebes here, birds with some spiff! :o)

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  5. Lovely shot Frank, they are one of my favourites.

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  6. Truly a handsome bird, and it sits proud and tall as though it knows it!! Great photos. Congratulations on your 400th post. So glad you started blogging, as I enjoy your posts very much. ~karen

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  7. Lovely images the light and colours look great.

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  8. Congratulations on 400 posts, Frank - what a milestone. Tip-top pictures of the Great-crested Grebe, one of my most favourite birds.

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  9. Congrats on your 400th Frank :)

    I love the GCG, a most elegant looking bird I think as your photos depicted beautifully. They can be very annoying though when you just get them nicely lined up for a photo and they immediately take a nose/beak dive :)

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  10. Great pictures Frank. My view is normally like the last one.

    Congratulations on 400. Keep them coming.

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  11. Excellent pictures Frank. They are a stunning bird.
    And congratulations on 400 mate.

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  12. Truly fantastic Great Creasted Grebe series! A treat to see them up close. Congratulations on your 400th post! It's always a delight to visit your blog and view your fine work.

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  13. So very elegant photos of this beautiful bird; DELIGHTFUL!!!!

    Have a nice weekend Frank !!
    ciao ciao elvira

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  14. Well done for the 400th post mate.

    I have only two records of G C Grebe on my patch, so thanks for reminding me what they look like !

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  15. Congratulations on reaching 400 - posts that is ;) Like you I wondered how I would keep going at first and found it truly addictive.

    Brilliant series of photos of the Great Crested Grebe.

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  16. Terrific set of images! Very pretty bird. I will keep stopping by, simply because I enjoy your blog so much!

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  17. wow the 4th one his one of the best image i've seen of thise specie!

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  18. Based on the prevailing conditions these are some great shots Frank.

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  19. A wonderful serie of this bird! Congratulation to your 400st post - always a pleasure to visit your blog! Hugs from Luzia.

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  20. Congratulations, Frank, and you found a good-looking bird for your 400th post!

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  21. ...congrats on 400 posts! I'm glad you blog because you've opened a window for me of British birding, and you're a great birding friend! Keep it up. The photos in this post are gorgeous. A beautiful bird to begin with, but you've captured the attitude with the close-ups.

    You made me look. I wondered how many posts I had and I'm up to 394. I'll have to keep my eye on the tally! (Knowing me I'll forget, though!)

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  22. Well number 400 post is simply breathtaking with wonderful pictures of one of my favorite bird! This is just wonderful to see this grebe with such nice reflection shots.... Congrats Frank on the 400th!!

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  23. What a pretty bird! And your photos are beautiful as always.. Congrats on 400! Hope there are hundreds more to come!

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  24. Beautiful series!! I especially like the 2nd one.

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  25. Magnificent photos and text! I have not seen this species before! What a cool bird! Congrats on your 400th post! I, too, have become addicted to blogging and almost cried when I thought I would have to give it up due to those posting issues. I am so glad it has all been resolved and I thank you for your encouragement and the info on how to purchase more storage space on picasa!

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  26. Elegant! and so hard to see when out on a walk. This gave me a clear peek and I thank you!

    Just a birder from California and Maine,

    Sharon Lovejoy

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  27. Well spotted and captured Frank :)

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  28. Hi Frank, have just come back from a week in Norfolk, so am out of blogging touch! Lovely photos of one of my fav birds. Chris might need to go up to London sometime in November, if he does, I'll let you know and maybe we can meet up for a walk around Richmond park?

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  29. Lovely photos - enjoy looking at your blog.

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  30. I don't know how I got so far behind on your blog. Wonderful variety of birds and photos - esp appreciate this grebe - most of the grebes of whatever species I see are distant. And it is interesting how many of the ducks are immediately recognizable. They wander around so much that the gene pool never has a chance to settle into differences. Thanks for all the different images.

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  31. What a magical moment, to be able to get such close shots of the grebe...gorgeous!

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  32. You got so many darling photos of them - I love the face on shot especially!

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  33. Great shots Frank. Such an overlooked bird it seems to me.

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  34. Hi Everyone.
    Sorry for the delay in responding to all your kind comments on the 400th post. I feel as if I have been in hibernation for the past few weeks but hope to restart posting again very soon.
    Cheers FAB.

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  35. Nice pictures of a beautiful bird!

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  36. That is one beautiful bird, and one that I haven't seen before! Thanks for sharing.

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  37. Hi Cindy. Thank you.

    Hi Mike B. My pleasure and thanks for dropping by.

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  38. Frank I've been wondering where you were. So I read the comments to check in. I was hoping you were out traveling the world to bring us more great photos. Have a wonderful reprieve from the blog and I look forward to you coming back when you so desire. Happy Holidays too! Carol

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  39. Remarkable and beautiful grebe photos! I love being able to examine him from all the angles you captured. Congrats on 400 - now you have another 4000 to go! And then some!

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