It is the most common grebe species in the Netherlands. Wherever you come to ditches, on lakes, canals, swamps and on the edge of a river, you can see this Common Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) swimming around. In the spring, the courtship dance is a magnificent spectacle. And after the courtship you see at a certain moment those funny grey/white striped chicks that hitch a ride on the mother’s back, nice and warm under the feathers.

In winter/early spring the plumage is a bit dull, pale brown and white, with black feathers on the head. This photo is also from that time. In the spring you see the color becoming more and more beautiful: the black feathers on the cheek then get a beautiful brown-red color overflowing into black and the black feathers on the head look like a kind of plumed ears. As a result, they have a clear white mask around the bright red eyes. By the way, you don’t see any difference between the males and the females, they look the same.

In my painting I have depicted a grebe with one of the young on its back.

Cotman watercolours tubes, Faber Castel Polychromos & Pastel pencils, Posca felt tip pen on Saunders Waterford 300gsm 310×230 Cotton Satiné High White paper

Reference photo: MabelAmber (Pixabay)

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