I have decided to feature the Horned Grebe in today’s blog.  Horned Grebes change their plumage very distinctly with the seasons.  The first picture below is an example of summer (breeding) plumage.  The second bird is in winter plumage and the third is right in between.  I use to photograph these birds every year in late winter/early spring and it is common to find all three plumages in any given place at one time.  There is no difference between males and females in Grebes.

Three more.

I apologize for the sub-par image below.  It is the only one of that species that I had at my fingertips as I wrote this blog.  The biggest question most people have about the different grebes is what is the difference between the above Horned Grebes and the western Eared Grebe.  Below is an Eared Grebe.

The male Eastern Bluebird is always a favorite.

Immature Bald Eagle.

Whenever I show any pictures of this Northern Water Snake, the question is asked whether the snake is wild or not.  The answer is yes, it is quite wild.  This image was made at Vernon Marsh, Wisconsin.

Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel.