I sit still for another 30 minutes, photographing whatever comes close enough and keeping my eyes out for the bird I am seeking. I’ve come to this specific spot in hopes of photographing a Western Grebe, a bird that is anything but common on our side of the country. The Western Grebe’s normal range consists of the west coast of the US and sometimes extending to the middle of the country. Sightings along the east coast of the US are quite rare.

A BIRD THAT IS ANYTHING BUT COMMON ON OUR SIDE OF THE COUNTRY

My patience wears off finally and I climb up the rocky shore to the road and start walking along the edge of the harbor to see if I can find the Grebe. As I’m walking along I find a little piece of land that juts out into the water and I head out to get a better look. As I’m scanning the water with my binoculars I see a large group of ducks off in the distance. After a more thorough look I can see they are a small flock of Red-Breasted Mergansers, maybe I’ll get lucky and they will come closer, the males are gorgeous. I’m just about ready to walk back and I see a single bird way out in the distance. Once again I put the binoculars to my eyes and I’m thrilled! I can instantly tell by the shape, even though I’ve never seen it in person, that it’s the Western Grebe. Not knowing where it will go I immediately take a photo just so I have something documenting my sighting. It’s a tiny dot in the frame but you can still tell what it is.

IT’S A TINY DOT IN THE FRAME BUT YOU CAN STILL TELL WHAT IT IS.

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