In Kolpino, feathered zebras have appeared.

Hello, friends!!! I don't walk along the banks of the Izhora in Kolpino very often. Just like everyone else — work, errands, worries. But suddenly, a warm, truly summer evening came up, and I decided to go out with my camera for the first time. Just to take a walk, leisurely, without a rush. And who knows, maybe I’ll find a good shot there. The air is magical. It smells of freshly cut grass, blooming lilacs, and water. The sun slides gently over the river, and the breeze barely touches the skin. On such evenings, nature appears completely different — not like usual. And there, at one inlet, around a bend in the path, I saw her. An unusual bird floats on the water — with a crest, slender, as if dressed up. And on her back — three striped chicks! It was a Great Crested Grebe, or as it is also called — the Great Pody. Her chicks are special. The chicks of a Great Crested Grebe look unusual from the very start. They are like little zebras — black and white stripes, bright markings on their heads. This coloration helps them hide: they blend in with the water, reeds, and bank grasses. And the most touching thing — the chicks ride on their parents’ backs. Not only the mom but also the dad. Grebes are a true team. One parent carries the chicks, while the other dives for food. Then they switch. And this goes on all day. Until the chicks grow up, their parents' backs are the best place in the world: warm, safe, and with a great view. Grebes are very caring in general. The parents feed the chicks from their beaks, choosing only soft and suitable food — fish, crustaceans, insects. Sometimes one parent can be seen returning with food while the other holds several chicks on its back. And how to tell who is who? Here it gets tricky. Male and female Grebes look almost identical. Both have crests and are equally beautiful. Only the male is sometimes slightly larger, but this can only be noticed when they are side by side — and even then, not always. That’s why ornithologists in the field often just say: “adult bird” or “parent.” The main thing is not who is who but how they take care of their striped little ones together. Why such a strange name — "pody"? It may not sound very pleasant, but the history of the name is interesting. Once, hunters noticed that the meat of these birds was not tasty, with an unpleasant marshy smell — especially from those living in muddy areas. That’s how the Great Crested Grebe got its name: pody, derived from the word "podyor," meaning "bad, unworthy." It was not eaten. But the name stuck and became official. Although the Great Crested Grebe is truly a noble and beautiful bird, it just doesn’t taste good to people. What else should you know about Great Crested Grebes: 🔹 It’s not a duck but belongs to the family of grebes. 🔹 It flies with difficulty but dives and swims excellently. It can disappear under water and resurface far away — like a real submarine. 🔹 It builds its nest right on the water — from mud, twigs, and grass. It can slowly drift along the shore. 🔹 In spring, Grebes perform real courtship dances: synchronized bows, spins, nods. It looks like a ballet. 🔹 And also — attention! — Grebes eat their own feathers. Scientists believe this helps form a soft "ball" in the stomach that coats fish bones and prevents them from injuring the internal organs. And all of this — with us, in Kolpino. What a meeting — right on the river Izhora, on a warm evening. While someone hurries home or sits on the phone, here, in the quiet inlet, swims a Grebe with her chicks. She swims — and the whole world seems to pause. Everything is simple and truly real. 💬 Have you ever seen a Great Crested Grebe? Did you see the chicks riding on her back? Maybe you also took a walk by the Izhora that evening? Share your stories in the comments — I’m really curious to hear them! 👍 If you enjoyed the story — support it with a like. 🔔 And to not miss other stories from the shore, the forest, or the swamp — subscribe. There will be plenty of amazing things ahead. Until we meet again!