Clark’s Grebe Courtship Dance

While out in California a few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of watching the courtship dance of two Clark’s Grebes. Here is a sequence of 34 shots depicting the dance I saw. This is less than half of the shots but several were very similar in a row and I only used one. There was a lot of head bobbing and using their beak to fling water to the side. At the end, they normally are nearly completely out of the water and you can see their feet as the run on the surface. These two did not get that far up in the water.

Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. Both grebes have their heads low to the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. The left grebe dips its head into the water while the right grebe's is low to the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. The left grebe has its head low to the water while the right grebe dips its bill into the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. Both grebes have their heads low to the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. Both grebes have their heads low to the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. The left grebe splashed water to its left with its bill while the right grebe's head is low to the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. The left grebe has its head low to the water while the right grebe dips its bill into the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. The left grebe has its head low to the water while the right grebe splashed water to its left with its bill.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. The left grebe splashed water to its left with its bill while the right grebe's head is low to the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. Both grebes have their heads low to the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. The left grebe has its head low to the water while the right grebe dips its bill into the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. The left grebe has its head low to the water while the right grebe splashed water to its left with its bill.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. The left grebe has its head low to the water while the right grebe had its head raised.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. Both grebes have their heads low to the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. The left grebe dips its head into the water while the right grebe's head is low to the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. The left grebe splashed water to its right with its bill while the right grebe's head is low to the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. The left grebe raised its head while the right grebe's head is low to the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. The left grebe has its head low to the water while the right grebe dips its bill into the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. The left grebe has its head low to the water while the right grebe had its head raised.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. Both grebes have their heads low to the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. The left grebe splashed water to its right with its bill while the right grebe's head is low to the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. The left grebe raised its head while the right grebe's head is low to the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. Both grebes have their heads low to the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. The left grebe has its head low to the water while the right grebe dips its bill into the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. The left grebe has its head low to the water while the right grebe splashed water to its right with its bill.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. The left grebe has its head low to the water while the right grebe had its head raised.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. Both grebes have their heads low to the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. Both grebes starting their "walking" side-by-side near the top of the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. Both grebes continuing their "walking" side-by-side near the top of the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. Both grebes continuing their "walking" side-by-side near the top of the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. Both grebes continuing their "walking" side-by-side near the top of the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. Both grebes continuing their "walking" side-by-side near the top of the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. Both grebes continuing their "walking" side-by-side near the top of the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Two Clark's Grebes performing their courtship dance. Both grebes ending their "walking" side-by-side near the top of the water.
Clark’s Grebe, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.