The Rush is On

by Mike Lee

Title

The Rush is On

Artist

Mike Lee

Medium

Photograph - Digital Photography

Description

Let’s not talk about how many failed attempts, culled shots, and gasoline have been burned in the effort but I’ve wanted a truly nice shot of western grebes doing their mating rush for a long while. I’ve seen it thousands of times while walking the lake shore, fishing, etc, but those critters sure have a knack for doing it where the light isn’t right, out of range of your lens, and all manner of times and places where it’s impossible to get a photo. A few days before this image, I got one with them running away from the camera which nicely conveys the wake they leave behind. I caught these two fairly close and running broadside to me and some very nice light as I was sitting fairly low on a rock and I’m quite pleased with the resulting image which nicely shows how high on the water they get and just how much they churn up the surface. These birds clearly didn’t read the nearby buoy saying it was a 5mph “no wake” zone!

I enjoy all successes in photography (and try to learn from failures) but there’s just something extra wonderful about finally getting an unpredictable animal to do what you want and pulling off the capture!

This captivating wildlife moment showcases two Western Grebes (Aechmophorus occidentalis) in the midst of their rare and dramatic courtship display, known as the "rushing ceremony." Captured in ideal light and perfect timing, this image will resonate with bird lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates the beauty of nature’s fleeting spectacles. A great choice for lake house interiors, coastal cabins, or serene office spaces needing a dynamic focal point. Perfect for residents or visitors of areas where grebes are common, such as the western United States and Canada, especially those familiar with freshwater lakes and wetlands.

Uploaded

August 3rd, 2022

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