The Big Fight

Battling Birdies
I went Grebe hunting at University of York today and heard a great commotion in the water under the bridge. This is either 2 males fighting over a girl - not shown in this picture - or a girl attempting to fend off an over attentive bloke who is egged on by his pal!
At times I feared for the life of the bird held under water but eventually the 3 swam away quite amicably.
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7th March 2018

[Mark Prince]

Great shot, Jesika, these do have some big battles. Last year I spent about twenty minutes watching and photographing two pairs that were all getting involved in the fight.

[Jesika]

@markp Thank you, Mark. I enjoyed my trek around Campus West today, chasing a young Grebe. These battling birdies were an unexpected bonus, several minutes of fighting until they called a truce. Fortunately none of the birds seemed to be hurt.
j

[JoeV]

Wow, great action shot. Very interesting birds too.

[Jesika]

@joev Thank you, Joe. I'd never seen Coots fighting like this before, minor "Go away" squabbles but not a potentially damaging battle.
j

[Louise]

Whoa! Amazing capture....

[Jesika]

@cheekylulu Thanks, Louise. I've never seen them fighting before, chasing away often but this seemed to be all out war!
j

[Gayle]

Wow! That must have been amazing to watch! Terrific action shot! :-)

[Jesika]

@gaylewood Thank you, Gayle. I was photographing a young Grebe when I heard the commotion at the other side of the bridge. 2 birds fighting, the third keeping just out of contact, but watching very carefully.
j

[Margaret Snell]

Great shot, I have never seen them fighting like this, I do love their feet

[Jesika]

@oldjosh Lovely feet, aren't they? Good job they don't need shoes! This is the first fight I've ever seen, don't think any damage was done other perhaps to pride.
Many thanks
j