Last week, we had Wednesday wash day; this week, it’s Tuesday but, heck, every day is wash day for birds, especially waterfowl that rely on their feathers being in peak condition to repel water and keep them warm. And, as I don’t recall ever having seen a Little grebe out of the water before, I was entranced to watch this sweet little bird working quite strenuously to sort out its feathers.

Little grebes are not normally very confiding but this one was so focused on its preening that it seemed totally oblivious to passers-by, and me, on the pavement just a few feet above it.