I am quite a lot happier with this image than any other that I have taken before of Little Grebe, but I know that I can do better!  Little Grebe, colloquially known as Dabchicks, are a resident breeding species in the UK. They are non- migratory and consequently come in to breeding condition quite early in the year. They have an exotic breeding song at this time of the year and my attention seems to get drawn to them at this time  every year. Getting a photo is never a problem but getting close to get a good photo needed a bit of thought, planning and preparation…..and of course patience. These birds will show themselves but as soon as they are aware of your presence, they will disappear underwater and then surface again undercover in the reeds.  All very frustrating.

So today, after a bit of thought over the weekend, I  hid myself amongst some trees on the bank and then put up a screen made from scrim-netting. It was just a case then, of waiting for one to show itself and after a while  there was right  in front of me. I missed that shot because it slipped beneath the surface quite quickly (as they do), then after a few more minutes it was there again and this time I did manage some photographs and I am quite sure the bird wasn't aware of me. Being quite close to an unsuspecting bird is always very satisfying and it's doubly so when you have made a plan and its worked out. I did have a flush and thrill of satisfaction when there it was just sat calmly in the water and I pressed the shutter a few times and knew I had been successful.  It looks to me as though this bird is a first year bird as there is just the slightest hint of juvenile markings that are not visible in the above picture.  A short while later, another bird, this one aalso a male, but  in much brighter plumage was sat out in the open t a little further away. The fluffy rump is a nice feature of this species. and it showed very well in the bright sunshine.