Pied-billed Grebe family at Horicon Marsh NWR

On a gray rainy morning a couple of weeks ago, while I was stalking some Marsh Wrens in the long cattail reeds on the side of a pond, a little duck-like bird suddenly swam out of the reeds making a beeline away from me. The little guy had a black, white and orange markings on its head and was quite striking. I had never seen a water bird like this before, but the shape of its body, particularly its head and bill looked like a Pied-billed Grebe. My suspicions were confirmed when I saw its Pied-billed Mama swimming fast toward it and diverting its course to the opposite side of the pond.

A Pied-billed Grebelet, Horicon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, WI; 6/16/2012.

A Pied-billed Grebe with a soon-to-be-a meal-frog in its bill, Horicon Marsh NWR; 6/16/2012.

The P-B Grebe turned toward the opposite side of the pond, still with the frog in its bill, Horicon Marsh NWR; 6/16/2012.

"Look at what I have for dinner...yummy," says the Mother to her Grebeling, Horicon Marsh NWR; 6/16/2012.

Soon two more Grebelets appeared and followed Mom,  Horicon Marsh NWR; 6/16/2012.

"Okay, now we all have to learn to share," Mother Grebe says to her brood, Horicon Marsh NWR; 6/16/2012. 

Because of this little episode in the the lives of the Pied-billed Grebe family, I lost the Marsh Wrens that were chattering in the reeds.