Pied-billed Grebes (Podilymbus podiceps) are rather strange looking birds. Their heads are unusually large and blocky, their bills are short and thick, and they have virtually no tails. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology website describes them with these words, “The Latin genus name for “grebe” means “feet at the buttocks”—an apt descriptor for these birds, whose feet are indeed located near their rear ends. This body plan, a common feature of many diving birds, helps grebes propel themselves through water. Lobed (not webbed) toes further assist with swimming. Pied-billed Grebes pay for their aquatic prowess on land, where they walk awkwardly.”
Most of the times when I see a Pied-billed Grebe it is either disappearing from sight as it dives for food or it is swimming away from me. I captured this shot last week as the grebe was in fact swimming away, but paused for a moment and looked to the side. Yes, this is the notorious “butt shot” that we photographers try to avoid, but I like the way that you can see some of the details of the birds eye and the water beaded up on its back and decided to post it anyways.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
Pretty!
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I like this shot, Mike. I like how you can see the undisturbed water ahead of him.
Nice Mike! They are fun to photograph!
I shall never look at grebes in quite the same way again (we have several species in the UK), now that you’ve spilled the beans on their Latin nomenclature. My dear old mum – a keen birder, but a very proper lady – would have been shocked! 🙂
I daresay that this little bird has a nice fluff of posterior feathers that could be missed if not for this lovely shot! Thank-you, Mr. Mike!