The most famous courtship ritual of the grebe is swimming towards each other and making violent head movements where the cheeks are set up. In doing so, they throw their neck and head alternately left and right turning backwards towards their body. During which they pretend to brush with their bill, subtly grab a feather and release it. The most extraordinary courtship ritual is the 'penguin dance' in which the male and female swim away from each other and submerge at the same time. Surfacing with bill full of water plants they offer to each other as they rise breast to breast out of the water. It is immediately audible when it happens through the water tapping and splashing water. From now until the end of April, the courtship of the grebes can be seen.
There is a lot to say about photography, but good photos say it all. My portfolio offers a selection of my work, photographed in the versatile Ameland landscape, which is different every day. The photos tell my story and show that photography is my passion... Read more…