Red-necked Grebe / Podiceps grisegena

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

In Canada, this is celebrated each year on the second Sunday of May. Of course, every day should be Mother's Day.

The two photos I have just posted this morning, 14 May 2017, were taken three days ago, on 11 May 2017, at a pond in Calgary. Just a short drive and a quick visit.
Much as I don't like interrupting my Trinidad & Tobago images, I did want to add these local photos, otherwise I might forget. Seeing my calendar filling up rather quickly, I know that I will be getting various chances to take photos, and it would help greatly if I can get my holiday photos finished. Tonight, I will hopefully add a few more photos from my trip.

I love seeing these Red-necked Grebes, though they tend to be rather distant when I do see them. Most of the time, they just look so quietly elegant while they swim.

"The Red-necked Grebe breeds on small inland lakes in Canada and Alaska, and winters along both coasts of North America. Boldly marked, vocal, and aggressive during the breeding season, it is quiet and subtly attired in winter.

Like other grebes, the Red-necked Grebe ingests large quantities of its own feathers. Feathers remain in the bird's stomach. The function of feathers in the stomach is unknown. One hypothesis suggests that the feathers help protect the lower digestive tract from bones and other hard, indigestible material. The Red-necked Grebe also feeds its feathers to its young.

The Red-necked Grebe migrates over land strictly at night. It sometimes migrates over water or along coasts by day, in large flocks.

The oldest recorded Red-necked Grebe was at least 11 years old when it was found in Minnesota, the same state where it had been banded." From AllABoutBirds.

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-necked_Grebe/id