Jordan Lake. Yesterday morning I recorded this horned grebe paddling along. It looks a little ragged because it’s actually in molt. It is changing from the light gray overall winter color into the vibrant browns, reds and yellow that it will have when the molt is finished. Also note that the grebe is floating past a fair amount of debris because the lake was up to 219.67 feet. That is what the lake is supposed to do… Hold in water from heavy rainfall and then slowly let it out afterwards so nothing gets flooded downstream. I am glad the lake is there to control the flooding! I think the grebe is glad the lake is there so it can paddle.
horned grebe
TagHorned Grebe Take-Off
Jordan Lake. The horned grebe is a superb swimmer: its legs are almost under its tail and it has specialized feet that are long lobes like hickory tree leaves. It uses its leaf feet to propel itself quite quickly underwater. However, the placement and kind of feet keep the grebe from being able to takeoff efficiently … it can only launch from open water.
rescue
this afternoon a couple of people who didn’t know each other, worked together to rescue this horned grebe. There was fishing line around its neck, it has swallowed the hook and was dragging a bobber behind it. The grebe was transported to http://www.nc-claws.org/index.php/blog – a non-profit wildlife rehab facility. You can see the grebe and follow its progress on their Facebook page CLAWS, Inc. If you would like to make a donation to help the grebe, please go to the CLAWS web site or Facebook page.
2 photos
doc ellen's journey 