CWC Releases Red-Necked Grebe and Ruddy Duck | Feb. 16, 2014 |
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On the previous Monday of this week, I had the opportunity to photograph the release of a red-necked grebe and a ruddy duck by Robin Graboski, the director of Centre Wildlife Care (CWC), the animal rehabbing facility of central Pennsylvania.
The release took place at the duck pond, almost in the center of State College. To watch Robyn, the temptation is to think that this looks easy. Robyn has a knack for making anything difficult seem easy, as she lifted the red-necked grebe from a carrier. |
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Did you notice, in the above photo, that a grebe has flattened toes, rather than webbed feet? They swim well but cannot walk on land.
The next candidate for release was a little ruddy duck, who had a lot to say. |
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But as in the case of the grebe, both waterfowl swam away, happy to be back in a pond.
Did I write "happy"? Sure I did. Look at the red-necked grebe giving Robyn a fare-thee-well salute once safely in the water. |
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At the FB Centre Wildlife Care page (which is a public page and open to everyone), I have a photo album of Robyn releasing the waterfowl and another album of the released grebe and duck swimming in the pond.
Photo note: I used a Pentax K20D, with the SMC-DA* 60-250mm lens for these photos, taken on 10 February 2014. |