While Nancy Moore and I were counting Loons (350+) at Rocky Point, I was pointing out the ID differences on Horned verses Eared Grebe. There were Horned Grebe in large groups all around us. We get few Eared over this way and you can imagine my surprise when this bird swan right by us, up close to where we were standing.

In this photo you can see why I call it the "dirty neck grebe". In winter plumage, the dark auriculars, peak of the head over the eye, small bill with the lower mandible having a definite kick up and a black tip, along with the peak of its back more to the rear, all are good points for Eared Grebe ID.