I was able to work from a respectful distance, crouching at the edge of the marshy lake, leaning against a fence post. Normal behaviour continued. Here a male defends its nesting territory by chasing away an interloper. When I edged closer, the birds became alarmed and started moving off their nests - I could see some of the eggs - so I immediately left the area and watched from my car as they returned to sit and incubate. It is every wildlife photographer's responsibility to observe animal responses closely, because there is almost always a safety issue, if not for the photographer, then for the subject. Never endanger your subject for a mere photo. Do the right thing and leave. There will be another photo op.
Don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without explicit permission.
© James R. Page - all rights reserved.
Tags: Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis wildlife bird chase males territorial aggression splash water nesting nest marsh wetland wild prairie near Cadillac Saskatchewan Canada
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Three young are riding on one parent's back while the other brings a tiny fish. They were shy but allowed me a few glimpses through the marsh grasses after I sat quietly for a while. Early morning, Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan.
Don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without explicit permission.
© James R. Page - all rights reserved.
Tags: Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus wildlife bird parents feeding young wetland marsh wild prairie Grasslands National Park Saskatchewan Canada SpecAnimal
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I camped four nights in Banff at Mosquito Creek, which lived up to its name. However, the campground gives good access to shooting locations along the southern portion of the Icefields Parkway. One of them is Waterfowl Lakes, where I caught this Common Loon in an ungainly, splashing run across the water before it became airborne.
Such beautiful markings; such a haunting call. And such a heavy-bodied, awkward clunker on land. Its legs are set so far back that walking is the last thing it wants to do. Running comes second. Always great to see a loon, though, and I had a pair in close to the marshy shore.
Photographed in Banff National Park, Alberta. Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission © 2016 James R. Page - all rights reserved.
Tags: Common Loon Gavia immer wildlife bird diving bird running takeoff splash wingbeats escape water green marshy shore lake wild nature wilderness Canadian Rockies Rocky Mountains Upper Waterfowl Lake Banff National Park Alberta Canada copyrighted James R. Page aquatic bird
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