Point Deductions For The Dismount
This mating pair of eared grebes was quite interesting to watch over the course of an hour or two. They had laid claim to this bed of matted reeds and chased off any other pairs that came to investigate. There was another reed platform nearby, and that was also part of their claimed territory.
Now, if you like grebe porn, this pair would give you a sensational show. They would pair up every 10 minutes or so, do their thing, then separate to do some displaying and preening. See a link in the comments section for a photo and description of that behaviour.
When about to mate, the female lies flat and the male approaches from behind and waddles up onto the female's back. After getting everything lined up, the actual copulation is quite quick. The male then waddles forward at an angle to dismount. Sometimes things don't quite work and and the male ends up straddling the neck & head of his lady friend, forcing it under the water. Not so elegant. This image shows the male about to step on her head to complete his ungainly dismount.
Point Deductions For The Dismount
This mating pair of eared grebes was quite interesting to watch over the course of an hour or two. They had laid claim to this bed of matted reeds and chased off any other pairs that came to investigate. There was another reed platform nearby, and that was also part of their claimed territory.
Now, if you like grebe porn, this pair would give you a sensational show. They would pair up every 10 minutes or so, do their thing, then separate to do some displaying and preening. See a link in the comments section for a photo and description of that behaviour.
When about to mate, the female lies flat and the male approaches from behind and waddles up onto the female's back. After getting everything lined up, the actual copulation is quite quick. The male then waddles forward at an angle to dismount. Sometimes things don't quite work and and the male ends up straddling the neck & head of his lady friend, forcing it under the water. Not so elegant. This image shows the male about to step on her head to complete his ungainly dismount.