Little Grebe, Smaller Grebe

I was visiting Fota Wildlife Park with Henry recently when he spotted these two in an enclosure and I genuinely cannot get over how small a little grebe chick is. It’s basically a wet pom-pom with an attitude.

The adult, all chestnut throat and businesslike beak, was patrolling the surface and the chick paddled over, demanding food with the kind of cheek only baby birds can pull off.

I love how the second shot caught the wee one drifting solo, perfectly mirrored on glassy water, looking pleased with itself for absolutely no reason.

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