Water Dance of the Grebes

Santa Margarita Lake, home to a wide variety of camera-ready wildlife. It was here that the first adventure for the week took us. As most mid-week trips begin, I dropped off the kids at school and met my friends Marlin and Dennis back at my house. We loaded up the minivan and headed east to beautiful Santa Margarita Lake.

It was a nice day and the light was good. Upon entering the grounds we made for Mackey point to see what we could find in that area. Entering from the dirt road and driving around the point gave us a great view of Blinn Bay. Not much out there but a couple of distant Grebes either Western or Clark’s, too far for a proper I.D. As we rounded the point we caught sight of two Ring-necked ducks, a male and a female. Being shy in nature, they quickly swam out of distance for our lenses. We all discussed going back later to try our luck again.

We pulled into the parking lot of the Osprey Flats area and looked out across Murphy Bay. Only months ago I caught on Osprey repeatedly striking the water but coming up empty-handed. This time we would be the ones coming up empty handed. In the distance there were more Grebes. Marlin would tell us that you could hear the difference in the calls of a western Grebe and a Clark’s Grebes. The Western gives off a two-part “Kr-r-rick, Kr-r-rick “ While the Clarks gives off a solitary “Kree-eek.” It is always a pleasure hanging out with people that are much more knowledgeable then oneself as it allows for greater learning.

Our next stop on our loop around the lake is a favorite spot of mine. The birds here have obviously been conditioned to people. This makes for some really compelling photography. Here we have the Acorn Woodpeckers, Oak titmouse, White –breasted Nuthatch and a very cute California Ground Squirrel that frequent the area. Not being shy here, they come around looking for handouts. If your not careful, the Acorn Woodpecker will move in and steal part of your lunch!

After a very difficult separation from the easily photographed birds, we moved out to drive White Oak and Vaca Flats. This is one of my favorite areas of the lake and often times are blessed with the sighting of a Bald Eagle or two. Arriving at the Vaca Flats area we look out across Salsipuedes Bay. More Grebes and American coots floating around, a Western Bluebird flitters by and we discuss this being the best place to launch a kayak onto the lake. On the way back to the White Oak flats area, Dennis, a master of Mycology, stops to show us examples of various mushrooms and fungi.

Arriving at the boat launch area of White Oak Flats, we see a fellow photographer and birding enthusiast Steve, watching a pair of Western Grebes. They are going through a mating ritual, necks stretching, arching and turning. The most beautiful thing about these grebes mating ritual is when they pair up and run across the top of the lake. Collectively, a group of Grebes is called a “Water dance” of Grebes. If you saw the mating ritual, of which we were privileged, to see and capture, you would feel that this is an appropriate name.

Getting a little hungry and running out of time, we decided to head back to the Mackey point area and see if we could get close enough to the Ring-necked Duck. We were in luck. The mating pair swam towards our van, the iridescence purple of the Drakes feathers shown brightly and made for a great photo op. I lowered the 500mm plus 1.4xTC and snapped away. I was pretty pleased with the results. It always amazes me when an ordinary day out becomes extra ordinary based on the opportunity to capture one species in just the right light.

After Lunch, we headed home. Me to pick up the kids and Marlin and Dennis to their respected homes. Not bad for a half day of photography, but it left me wanting more time out at the lake.