I would never even try to get this close to a small Grebe. Impossible would have been my other thought. They disappear underwater at the sight of a person, immediately.

I was photographing several Teals and this guy popped up from under the duck weed.
We both watched each other for a while, not sure who was more surprised. He never went under, just paddled away.
I hope I have a few more shots, this won’t happen again.
They dive for such a long time that you have to be patient to take their pictures. Ted, you got a great picture of this grebe!
That’s because I didn’t try, LOL. They are always too fast. I think he was as surprised as me.