Great Crested Grebe with the Canon 200-400 f4 is Lens

I was travelling interstate to Perth for a few days and decided to take the Canon 200-400 f4 along. My contact there had informed that I would get some opportunity to try it out.  This was good as I also wanted to see how  I would be able to transport it on the plane. The was going to be a 4 ½ hours flight. The lens case I had bought for my Canon 200- 400 f4 lens was airline carry-on compatible.  Only thing I did was removed the harness [ which allowed me to use it as a back pack] & the waist belt. Now it looked very sleek & compact. The Canon 200-400 f4 lens fit inside snugly with the 7D body. I put additional air bags and my fleece top to provide further cushioning and avoid any movement. The harness & the belt went into my checked baggage.  The carry case with Canon 200-400 f4 with gripped 7D body weighed under the allowed 7 kgs cabin baggage limit. It comes with carry handles and is well balanced.
Once on board, I  stored it under the seat in front of me and before I knew it, I was at my destination.

The first couple of days were taken up with work that I had to attend to. Once that was sorted out we headed out on the 3rd day for a day trip with my gear securely on the back seat. There was nothing special on our agenda and we drove to a nice secluded beach a couple of hours out of town.

I love the beaches in Western Australia pure white sand & clear blue water. Some of the beaches stretch for kilometres and and you have the whole pristine beach to yourself. We had a lovely time there and even managed to catch a few fish from the rocks. The day was fine and we had a lovely barbecue by the beach. The Canon 200-400 f4 was still in the bag. I still had not spotted anything worthwhile to shoot though we had seen a full grown seal in the distance on the beach.

On our way to the beach I had spotted a promising looking water body on the opposite side of the road and had made a mental note of its location. So on our way home we decided to investigate it. The lake, as it turned out to be, was of good size. I got the lens back pack on my back and sauntered towards the water. Normally, I would have my gear ready for action but not knowing what to expect I left it in the bag.

The lake was full after the recent rains and seemed to be full of rushes, sometimes growing right to the waters edge. This place was worth investigating. Standing by the waterside and peering closely amongst the rushes revealed some bird activity. Closer scrutiny revealed water birds swimming amongst the rushes.
From where I stood the rushes were too dense and there was no chance of getting a clear shot. I could just get fleeting glimpses of the birds amongst the rushes. I would have to look for a better field of view. Only way to find out was to walk around the waters edge till I found one. The lake appeared to be roughly circular in shape. Which way should I go? Right or left? A quick glance at the sky and my shadow answered the question. Left, to take advantage of the lighting conditions.  It was around 4.30 pm and the light was wonderful.

I got the gear ready and on the monopod and started walking slowly. I did not have to walk far. After about 400 metres suddenly the rushes thinned out and there were clear patches of water amongst them. I moved behind a clump of rushes close to the edge and decided to wait and watch. Shortly a couple of Crested Grebes came into view . These Great Crested Grebes [ Podiceps cristatus ] are beautiful birds and the crest makes them look rather majestic.They were swimming around and diving. I kept my eye on the closer one. 
It  dived under water and came up with something in it beak. Looking at it through the Canon 200-400 f4  I could make out it was a piece of vegetation. With it in its beak it was heading  it was heading it the direction of the rushes a bit further away. Suddenly it dawned on me that it was breeding season for these beautiful birds and it was the male taking it  for the nest. The crest grows during the breeding season. I kept following the bird though the Canon 200-400 f4 and sure enough it went to where the nest was amongst the rushes and the female was already on the nest. The male presented the vegetation to her and it was added to the nest.  I could not have asked for a better timing or opportunity. The male kept getting stuff to her and she would rearrange it around the nest. Sometimes he just rested on the water drifting with the ripples. He would dive for weeds but not for long and would be back at the surface within 20-30 seconds. 
I kept my movement to a minimum & the birds went about doing their things undisturbed. The view through the Canon 200-400 f4 was outstanding and I kept shooting. I was feasting my eyes on it. I could clearly see the water & the white underparts and the contrast of the green reed stalks made the whole scene dreamlike. 

I had spotted another nest and a pair of nesting Crested Grebes in the distance but they were a bit too far. I had lost track of time when suddenly, there was commotion amongst the water birds and I started looking around to find the cause and saw a large snake swimming in the water. The birds had noticed it and were calling in alarm and some were trying to chase it away. I was taken by surprise and by the time I was ready to shoot it was a good distance away. I did take a shot or two in a hurry, pressed the shutter without thinking. Now I remembered having seen signs of “Beware Tiger Snake Habitat” at the lake entrance. These snakes can inflict a fatal bite and raid birds nests. After seeing the Crested Grebes I had forgotten all about the snakes.

Anyway, the birds were disturbed now. The sun which was already low in the sky had now dipped behind some tall trees. I had got quite a few shots of Crested Grebes in prime condition & their activity. Light was fading and I decided to call it a day.

The  Canon 200-400 f4 had performed as it was supposed to. Lovely IQ, colours and sharpness.

I had to fly back to Brisbane the next day.Bringing the big lens all the way to Western Australia was well worth the trouble.