Four Horned Grebes visited me yesterday. It really was a visit: they came within maybe ten meters and seemed unconcerned by my presence and the incessant clicking of my camera.
A few postings ago, I noted that a grebe is not a duck. With this visit, one of the grebes underscored that point by prominently showing its toes. The birds in the Anatidae family (ducks, geese and swans) all have webbed feet (the toes are joined by webbing), a feature that facilitates using the feet for propulsion. Grebes (and coots) solved the problem of having a broad surface for propulsion somewhat differently: each of their toes developed broad lobes. Curiously, this solution has some advantages as the grebes are able to use these lobes as multi-slotted hydrofoils.
Below are pictures of the grebes, with the final image being the bird showing off its toes.
The four Horned Grebes spent a good deal of time near me merely floating.
Although, sometimes there was a bit of chattering,
preening,
stretching,
and, of course, the prominent display of those marvellous lobed toes.
Again, a few exceptional pics of reality in motion. Great to see the detail and to hear about the perceived reasoning in the moment by moment rationalizations. I long to have the time patience and talents to do the same !!!
Thanks,
Bill
Wow! love more than one of those pictures but the toes are a real treat!!! Thanks so much for sharing these and all your other great photos.
Lorna
Good thing you explained the last picture – would never have guessed that was his foot! Very interesting – never considered different waterfowl have different feet and why.