ML349268891

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

I spotted a small podiceps-like grebe near the far side of the lake which is 1/2 mi away. Light was not good - the sky was very overcast and it was about to start raining. The grebe was swimming with some ruddy ducks as I watched through my scope. It was diving some, but did not stay down for long. It was nearly the size of the ruddies. The light was good enough to clearly see the ruddy color on the ducks, but I could see no such color on the neck of the grebe. In fact the body seemed lighter than the dark neck. Although it's very subject to posture, the neck did seem longer and more slender, like an EAGR rather than a HOGR. I could not see the golden feathers behind the eye, which should have been clear on a HOGR, but might be more difficult to see in poor light on an EAGR, expecially as it was wet from diving. Lighting, distance and shimmer made it difficult to assess bill size, but head shape seemed consistent with EAGR, as well. I took some very grainy photos and a video by holding my cell phone to the scope. A screen grab from the video shows the size and color comparison vs a RUDU. Photos are cropped, but otherwise unedited.

Technical information

Dimensions

827 pixels x 443 pixels

Original file size

37.72 KB