Marie Read / Western Grebe (Aechmorphus occidentalis), pair during 'rushing' courtship display in which they run across water's surface in synchrony, near Escondido, California, USA, January.

Marie Read / Roseate spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja) adult in breeding plumage preening tail feathers, Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, USA, January.

Marie Read / American avocet (Recurvirostra americana), adult in breeding plumage foraging by sweeping its bill from side to side through shallow water, Orange County, California, USA, April.

Marie Read / Common loons (Gavia immer), two adults and chick swimming on a misty lake in early morning, Michigan, USA. June.

Marie Read / American avocets (Recurvirostra americana) two during aggressive (territorial) encounter, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Utah, USA, May.

Marie Read / Eared grebes (Podiceps nigricollis), pair, one adult feeding one of two chicks riding on the other adult's back, Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge, Montana, USA

Marie Read / Eared grebes (Podiceps nigricollis), pair, one adult carrying food (damselfly) for two chicks riding on the other adult's back, Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge, Montana, USA

Marie Read / Eared grebes (Podiceps nigricollis), pair, one adult feeding chick riding on the other adult's back, Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge, Montana, USA

Loic Poidevin / Aquatic warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) Breton Marsh, Vendee, France, May.

Staffan Widstrand / Aquatic warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola) Nemunas River Delta, Lithuania. May. Vulnerable species species.

Claudio Contreras / Aquatic plants (Typha sp.) with Mexico City buildings in the back, Xochimilco wetlands, Mexico City, January

John Shaw / Striated heron (Butorides striata) standing on giant Amazon waterlily leaf (Victoria amazonica). Porto Jofre, Pantanal, Brazil. September.