Humbugs

While it is quite widespread in Europe, the Black-necked Grebe is a bit of a rarity in most of the UK.  It is largely limited to the North and East of the country. This family of four were in St Aidan's Nature Reserve near Leeds.  It is a large reserve so I wasn't that hopeful that I would find the birds, (let alone get a photo) as they are quite small - similar in size to the Little Grebe and tend to stick close to the reed beds.  

As you can see, they are very exotic looking creatures with those red eyes and golden ear plumes.  In case you are wondering, I've not increased the saturation of the colours - they are as true to life as I could make them.

I had been following this pair of diligent parents for quite some time hoping that at some stage they would come into a slightly open area so that I could get some photos. I'd thought that there was just one humbug as they were sitting on Mum's back to stay warm (it was 12C and windy), and only one head generally  stuck  out when Dad arrived with food.  But on this occasion they both emerged.

As you can probably tell from the photos - I've been out in the field for long days with my camera recently, with the evenings taken up with other events.  I've had very little spare time so I do apologise for not replying to your comments - I've read them all, and appreciated them very much.