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A couple of days ago I discovered a Great Crested Grebe sitting on its nest. I just cycled
past the canal where the birds had chosen to build their nest. Although this is nothing unusual for this
country, I am still surprised to discover that such elegant birds have chosen to live and breed in this urban environment;
a busy road on one side of the canal, on the other side a former hospital that is being demolished.
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I decided to return the next day, to take some photographs. I noticed that the eggs had already hatched and two chicks were keeping their parents busy, riding on their backs alone or together.
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Sure it's nothing but a dull canal in a city, but there is always something happening that attacks parental attention: a silly duck at close quarters, a rescue helicopter flying by, a coot with its chick that need to pass through the same water, an empty bottle floating in the direction of the nest, a woman walking the dog on one side of the water and a photographer on the other side...
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The two youngsters wait patiently on the back of one parent while the other has gone fishing. When the latter returns to the nest, the two chicks instantly notice this and stretch their necks to be fed.
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A couple of days later the nest is deserted. I follow the canal in the direction of a park, where I find the family again near a reed border. Both parents try to get a rest, but the two chicks are very active and even paddle on their own in the pond.
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This photograph can be downloaded as a wallpaper (on your PC)!
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Scared off by a huge dog that appeared along the side of the pond, the mobile kindergarden swims to saver waters.
Mum and dad Podiceps cristatus with each one a chick on their back, covered under a layer of feathers.
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