Clarke's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii)

Readers, you are as patient with me as an indulgent parent. Many is the time that you have permitted me my flights of feathered fantasy. However, I believe that even you will not believe me when I tell you about the courtship display of Clarke's Grebe and the Western Grebe. Sooth, I promise, sooth.

This serene and elegant freshwater diving bird will meet its mate out in a pond. They will begin their courtship with a waltz, where they swim in complicated patterns and mimic one another's movements. Then they will 'kiss', holding their necks against one another and slowly rising out of the water. In the ecstasy of their copulation, they will then levitate up, and walk on water together. If you still don't believe me, look this up on YouTube.

I saw the beautiful bird above in Newport Beach in May, 2014 AD.