Nick Hurst

Thanks Helen, I've been very lucky this year with three pairs showing well very close to home. 😀

Thank you 🙏

Thanks Mark, they are such elegant and endearing birds.

Courting Grebes mirror one another’s movements as they dip their heads, turn, & glide in slow parallel arcs; each motion answered by the other in near perfect timing.

Grebes mirror each other’s movements as they dip their heads, turn, & glide in slow parallel arcs; each motion answered by the other in near perfect timing.

#ukbirding #BirdOfTheDay #ThePhotoHour #BirdsSeenIn2026 #wildlifephotography #PhotographersOfBluesky #BlueskyPhotography #ukwildlife #birds

A great crested grebe chasing waves along the waters' edge...

Chasing waves along the waters' edge...

#ukbirding #BirdOfTheDay #ThePhotoHour #BirdsSeenIn2026 #wildlifephotography #PhotographersOfBluesky #BlueskyPhotography #ukwildlife #birds #BlueSkyArtShow #Suffolk

Heavy, flat, sullen skies; diffused, muted light....what's not to like.

Heavy, flat, sullen skies; diffused, muted light....what's not to like.

#ukbirding #BirdOfTheDay #ThePhotoHour #BirdsSeenIn2026 #wildlifephotography #PhotographersOfBluesky #BlueskyPhotography #ukwildlife #birds #BlueSkyArtShow #Suffolk

A dull mist laden morning, just before sunrise frames this solitary grebe along the water's edge.

A dull mist laden morning, just before sunrise frames this solitary grebe along the water's edge.

Negative space.....

#ukbirding #BirdOfTheDay #ThePhotoHour #BirdsSeenIn2026 #wildlifephotography #PhotographersOfBluesky #BlueskyPhotography #ukwildlife #birds #BlueSkyArtShow #Suffolk

Thanks Linda 🙏

Thank you 🙏

In many cases Grebes will have wintered separately or spent the colder months in loose groups, and these courtship ceremonies serve to re-establish partnership before nesting begins.

In many cases Grebes will have wintered separately or spent the colder months in loose groups, and these courtship ceremonies serve to re-establish partnership before nesting begins.

In many cases Grebes will have wintered separately. These courtship ceremonies serve to re-establish partnership before nesting begins.

#ukbirding #BirdOfTheDay #ThePhotoHour #BirdsSeenIn2026 #wildlifephotography #PhotographersOfBluesky #BlueskyPhotography #ukwildlife #birds #BlueSkyArtShow

Thanks Jamara, located these voles along a small stream a short walk from home. On the red list of endangered species in the UK, but such endearing creatures.

Thanks Fiona, I've been very fortunate this year to have found around four pairs close to home. Many hours spent over a period of weeks to capture these moments....but just absolutely magical to watch.

The exchange of weeds is thought to play a role in reinforcing the bond between the pair while also forming part of the early stages of nest-building behaviour. By presenting vegetation, the birds rehearse the gathering of material that will soon be used to construct their floating nest among reeds or aquatic plants.The performance rarely lasts long. After the upright dance, the pair settle again onto the water, drifting apart before resuming their quiet patrol of the lake.

The exchange of weeds is thought to play a role in reinforcing the bond between the grebes while forming part of the early stages of nest-building behaviour.

#ukbirding #BirdOfTheDay #ThePhotoHour #BirdsSeenIn2026 #wildlifephotography #PhotographersOfBluesky #BlueskyPhotography #ukwildlife #birds

The most celebrated part of this courtship ritual is often called the “weed dance.” Both grebes dive simultaneously beneath the surface. For a brief moment the water lies still. When they reappear, they do so almost together, each bird holding strands of submerged vegetation in its bill. Rising breast-to-breast from the water, they paddle rapidly with their feet while standing almost upright. The birds shake the gathered weeds between them, their bodies poised vertically in a display that is both delicate and dramatic.

The intriguing part of this ritual is the “weed dance.” Both grebes dive simultaneously beneath the surface & reappear holding strands of vegetation.

#ukbirding #BirdOfTheDay #ThePhotoHour #BirdsSeenIn2026 #wildlifephotography #PhotographersOfBluesky #BlueskyPhotography #ukwildlife #birds

The display usually starts with a gentle approach. One bird raises its head and stretches its slender neck upright, the dark head plumes flaring slightly. The other responds in kind. What follows is a remarkable moment of symmetry.

The display usually starts with a gentle approach. One bird raises its head and stretches its slender neck upright, the dark head plumes flaring slightly. The other responds in kind. What follows is a remarkable moment of symmetry

The display usually starts as the grebe raises its head & slender neck upright, the dark head plumes flaring slightly. The other responds in kind.

#ukbirding #BirdOfTheDay #ThePhotoHour #BirdsSeenIn2026 #wildlifephotography #PhotographersOfBluesky #BlueskyPhotography #ukwildlife #birds

Pairs often begin their display in late winter or early spring, typically from February through April. The grebes are strengthening or reaffirming their bond ahead of the breeding season. In many cases the birds have wintered separately or spent the colder months in loose groups, and these ceremonies serve to re-establish partnership before nesting begins.

Pairs often begin their display in late winter or early spring, typically from February through April. The grebes are reaffirming their bond ahead of the breeding season.

#ukbirding #BirdOfTheDay #ThePhotoHour #BirdsSeenIn2026 #PhotographersOfBluesky #BlueskyPhotography #ukwildlife #birds

The courtship of the Great Crested Grebe is among the most elegant spectacles to be found on still waters across the UK. It unfolds quietly in the early months of spring, as the days begin to lengthen stirring the wetlands back into life. Lakes, reservoirs, and sheltered rivers become stages for this ritual which is magical & beautiful.

The courtship of the Great Crested Grebe is among the most elegant spectacles to be found on the lakes & rivers in the UK at this time of year.

#ukbirding #BirdOfTheDay #ThePhotoHour #BirdsSeenIn2026 #wildlifephotography #PhotographersOfBluesky #BlueskyPhotography #photography #ukwildlife #birds

Canadian geese take to flight along the banks of the River Stour.

Canadian geese take to flight along the banks of the River Stour.

#ukwildlife #sudbury #suffolk #wildlifephotography #nature

Sudbury Water Meadow Swans | Seasons, Light & Wildlife Photography — bearprints photography Photographing mute swans along Sudbury Water Meadow in Suffolk. Explore seasonal behaviour, light and wildlife photography techniques along the River Stour.

Passing thoughts, meanderings and snappery of this captivating stretch of the River Stour in Suffolk.

#ukwildlife #suffolk #wildlifephotography #nature #Sudbury

www.bearprintsphotography.info/stories/sudb...

Thank you Rina, it is quite a surreal spot along the east coast here in the UK. Draws me back time and again. 😀

Thanks Robyn 😀

Soft tones, smooth transitions, and the endless beat of the waves along Shingle Street, on the East coast.

Soft tones, smooth transitions, and the endless beat of the waves along Shingle Street, on the East coast.

#landscape #scape #coast #seascape #suffolk

Walks along the shoreline at sunrise around the Benbecula, North Uist, Outer Hebrides.

Walks along the shoreline at sunrise around the Benbecula, North Uist, Outer Hebrides.

Walks along the shoreline at sunrise around the Benbecula, North Uist, Outer Hebrides.

#scape #landscape #scotland #uist #photography #Hebrides

North Atlantic Puffin in amongst the daises along the cliff face at Skomer island.

Shake it off....

#ukwildlife #birds #skomer #puffin #wildlifephotography #nature

It's never easy photographing the eiders along the shoreline. You have to time the tides just right and simply hunker down....

It's never easy photographing the eiders along the shoreline. You have to time the tides just right and simply hunker down....

It's never easy photographing the eiders along the shoreline. You have to time the tides just right and simply hunker down....

Somewhat dejected working the shoreline in the Outer Hebrides.

It's never easy photographing the eiders along the shoreline. You have to time the tides just right and simply hunker down....

#ukwildlife #nature #wildlifephotography #coast #uist #hebrides

.....and the wind relentlessly, swept along the shoreline whipping up the sand. Nature carries on regardless along the North Norfolk coast.

.....and the wind relentlessly, swept along the shoreline whipping up the sand. Nature carries on regardless along the North Norfolk coast.

.....and the wind relentlessly, swept along the shoreline whipping up the sand. Nature carries on regardless along the North Norfolk coast.

.....and the wind relentlessly, swept along the shoreline whipping up the sand. Nature carries on regardless along the North Norfolk coast.

#ukwildlife #nature #wildlifephotography #coast #norfolk #seals

Preening Avocet in that wonderful hour before sunrise, along the North Norfolk coast.

Preening Avocet in that wonderful hour before sunrise, along the North Norfolk coast.

#ukwildlife #nature #birds #wildlifephotography #norfolk #avocet

Thank you Janet 🙏

Thanks so much Anna. 🙏

Thank you.... just had a quick peak at your website. You have some wonderful galleries...great work.