Kip’s Comments - April 3, 2025

Pied-billed Grebe with Fish - Image 956638

Fish Eaters with Feathers

As I sat along the Wapsipinicon River this afternoon I enjoyed the company of a half dozen grebes swimming around in the wide open space in front of me. None were ultra close, but they were near enough for photos with cropping.

As I watched the grebes, one of the birds popped up with splashing in front of it. A study through the lens revealed the grebe had caught a small bluegill and was in the process of centering the still alive fish to drop it down its throat. One minute the fish was alive and well. No more than fifteen seconds later the fish was caught, flipped to head first, and swallowed alive! Wow… nature is efficient.

Since the grebes were close, I did shoot additional photos of them.

Pied-billed Grebe - Image 956452

Pied-billed Grebe - Image 956493

Pied-billed Grebe - Image 956515

A second efficient fish eater with feathers was this double-crested cormorant that flew in and dropped onto the water almost directly in front of me. Very quickly the cormorant became uneasy and took flight again. This photo documented the double-crested cormorant in flight.

Double-crested Cormorant - Image 956389

I sure with the light had been nicer!