Bird Identification: CLOSED: California Birds, 1 by wingwoman

wingwoman wrote:
Having only done bird watching locally (Sand Creek/Aurora), I traveled to California\'s Central coast, and was enchanted by seeing so many of my favorite wetlands birds. I spotted what certainly appears to be a Grebe, and am requesting confirmation. This is a bird that thrilled me when I followed a pair (just once) at Sand Creek. And, in this last poorly focused photo, I wonder if this bird out at sea could be a Grebe?