Pied-billed grebes away from the nest

I arrived this morning to a blustery gray lake. The pied-billed grebe nest was empty. I could see one of the adults just beyond the edge of the lily pads.

Hmm. This bird is riding pretty high in the water. And where's that peeping sound coming from? Wait. Those back feathers are wiggling.


It turned out the parent had two small passengers. And they're staying close by.


I found the other adult diving among the lily pads a bit farther south. No passengers there.

Previous posts:

June 3: one egg.
June 10: seven eggs.
June 27:first hatching.
June 28: second hatching.
June 30: three babies, two eggs
July 1: still three babies, two eggs
July 3: three babies, one egg