Earlier this year I encountered an unfamiliar bird that turned out to be a Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus). On-line photos showed that the bird has really cool plumage during mating season and I remember hoping that I would see one this spring.
Well, this past Friday I spotted one in the distance in the waters off of Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The light was coming from almost in front of me and the grebe was a long way off, but I did manage to capture the sunlight glistening off of the blonde “horns” of this beautiful bird. I especially like the first shot in which you can see just a bit of the grebe’s red eyes and the feathers really do look like horns.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I think grebes generally are among the cutest birds in our waters, and this one’s something special. I’m so glad you came across it. Those little feathers do look like horns!
I find myself wondering, why do some birds have special or extra plumage and others do not? It certainly adds a fascinating aspect to this Horned Grebe. Thank-you, Mr. Mike!!
Nice Mike! Fun to see your image!
I wanted to wish you a Happy Earth Day! I was so busy pondering about plumage that I forgot to add this earlier. I spent part of the day walking around with a bag picking up things that are detrimental to wildlife. A small effort that doesn’t seem much in the grand scheme of things, but may have saved at least one living thing. I never felt destined to save the world, just clean up my little corner of it.