Pied-faced Grebes, Boulder County

[Tom Wilberding]

Hello birders, 

Over at the very full Teller Lake No. 5 are a few juvenile Pied-billed Grebes with their striking black and white facial patterns. Most juvenile birds look drab and camouflaged, for good defensive reasons. But Pied-billed Grebe juveniles are an exception, along with Masked and Ruddy Ducks. Any others? Must be an evolutionary reason for this, but whatever the reason, snazzy-looking young Pied-billed Grebes seem to be enjoying their first summer before turning into drab adults. “Summertime is always the best of what might be.” --Charles Bowden.

Here are they are, plus a few others from Sunday: http://bit.ly/Vg8Ifb
Here’s where Teller Lake No 5 is: https://goo.gl/maps/Vi9Mh

Cheers!
Tom Wilberding
Boulder, CO

[Charles Hundertmark]

Fine photos, as usual Tom. I suspect that snazzy face actually is camouflage, breaking up the pattern of the head visually.

Chuck Hundertmark

Lafayette, CO