Clark's Grebe:
The Clark's Grebe was named after Mr. J.H. Clark, who collected the first known specimen of the bird in Chihuahua, Mexico.
Prior to 1985 the Clark's Grebe was considered the same species as the Western Grebe.
In 1884 S.F. Baird in his "The Water Birds of North America" described the Clark's Grebe:
"...
This form, which bears a very strong resemblance to AEchmophorus
occidentalis [Western Grebe], was regarded by Mr. Lawrence [1858] as
being a distinct species, but is now considered as only a variety. While
it thus strongly resembles the occidentalis in size and in some of
its markings, it constantly differs. The two seem to have nearly the same
habitat; and as it is not usual for two races of the same species to swell
in exactly the same area, it seems more probably either that the
differences are specific, or that they possess some sexual or other
significance, unless the present form should be found to have a more
southern range. The first known specimen of this form was taken by Mr.
J.H. Clark in Chihuahua, Mexico, and other specimens were procured from
the sea-coast of California at Santa Barbara and on San Pueblo Bay. ..."
[S.F. Baird, T.M. Brewer, and R. Ridgway, 1884,
The Water Birds of North America:
Little, Brown and Company, Boston, v.II, p.424]
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Fernhill Wetlands, Hillsboro, Oregon ...
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Click image to enlarge
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Clark's Grebe, Fernhill Wetlands, Hillsboro, Oregon.
Overcast and gray day.
Image taken June 14, 2010.
Canon EOS 7d, 400mm.
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Click image to enlarge
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Clark's Grebe, Fernhill Wetlands, Hillsboro, Oregon.
Right image enlarged 200%.
Overcast and gray day.
Image taken June 14, 2010.
Canon EOS 7d, 400mm.
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Click image to enlarge
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Clark's Grebes, Fernhill Wetlands, Hillsboro, Oregon.
Overcast and gray day.
Image taken June 14, 2010.
Canon EOS 7d, 400mm.
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Click image to enlarge
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Clark's Grebes, Fernhill Wetlands, Hillsboro, Oregon.
Overcast and gray day.
Image taken June 14, 2010.
Canon EOS 7d, 400mm.
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Click image to enlarge
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2x ... Clark's Grebes, Fernhill Wetlands, Hillsboro, Oregon.
Image enlarged 200%.
Overcast and gray day.
Image taken June 14, 2010.
Canon EOS 7d, 400mm.
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Vancouver Lake, Vancouver, Washington ...
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Click image to enlarge
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Clark's Grebe, Vancouver Lake, Vancouver, Washington.
Image taken July 9, 2009.
Canon Rebel T1i, 300z.
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On Wednesday July 8 an experienced birder of 40 plus years reported 10 Western Grebes and 3 Clark's Grebes on Vancouver Lake, near the inflow. They were still there on Thursday, July 9.
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