Thanks Dave Nutter for keeping track of the Western Grebe! I finally did manage to go down to the lake, first time I went to Stewart park, my tripod did not work well. So had to go to get my better tripod, which was in the lab. Then as I came down from the campus, I had to make split second decision as to go to Hogs Hole or go to the White Lighthouse Jetty. Decided to do a mile trek to the lighthouse.
I scanned the previously noted location twice and did not see the grebe. So I scanned rest of the lake. Then on third scan, I managed to watch it, as it was just ducking into the water. So it was there at least. A little later came up next a pair of displaying Goldeneyes. This time it did not dive back immediately. Actually, remained on the surface and waved his leg in the air as if to let me know it was there! Then it preened, dove, preened again and dove. Then sat on the water and lazily watched around, especially three of its neighbors were displaying Goldeneyes, putting there head back and probably saying something. After watching the grebe and other waterfowls for half an hour plus, I headed back. I had almost reached my car and then suddenly I felt I need to find car keys. I had this nagging doubt that I had left it on the jetty. So stopped at one of the picnic tables and searched my numerous pockets on numerous jackets I was wearing and my backpack, but did not find it. So headed back to the lighthouse and the place I had stopped was behind the lighthouse, so I could not see if the keys were there or not until I reached the end. After reaching the I did not find the keys. Then I once more was looking for them in my pockets, first pocket I felt, there it was! Probably it was hidden between the gloves when I first checked. But as I had come back, I thought I will scan the lake for the grebe again. This time I did not find it nor I found any other ducks it was hanging with. Maybe some of the local residents had disturbed them. I scanned the lake, but seemed not anywhere in view. Probably it is hanging around somewhere at the middle of lake. But anyway I had pay to the grebe debt in 4 miles! It was good to practise with load, hopefully an exercise for my upcoming Himalyan trek! Cheers meena Meena Haribal Ithaca NY 14850 http://haribal.org/ http://meenaharibal.blogspot.com/ -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
