Anhingas
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The Anhinga is a waterbird found in the southeast United States.
However, unlike most waterbirds, the Anhinga doesn’t have waterproof feathers.
But this isn’t a disadvantage for them. Anhingas’ wet feathers and dense bones help them slowly submerge their bodies under the water so they can stalk fish with their dagger-like bill.
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Anhinga
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Anhinga drying its feathers
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Anhingas have two nicknames, “water turkey” for its turkey-like tail and “snake bird” for its long, snake-like neck, both of which they hold partially out of the water while swimming with the rest of their body partly or mostly submerged.
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Anhinga swimming (nicknamed “water turkey” or “snake bird”)
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Anhinga swimming (nicknamed “water turkey” or “snake bird”)
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How about a few head-shots?
Anhinga
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Anhinga
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Anhinga
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Did you notice the Anhinga’s beautiful maroon-red eye?
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Anhinga
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How about a close-up of their feet?
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Anhinga’s golden feet
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Anhinga preening
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I hope you enjoyed getting up close and personal with the Anhinga!
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Anhinga looking happy!
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Photos by Donna 
That beak sure looks sharp! Great shots Donna!
Thank you, Mike!
Very nice Anhinga images Donna! One of my favorite birds to photograph when we are in Florida! We especially liked photographing them and Sandhill Cranes at Lake Woodruff NWR in DeLeon Springs, Florida.
Thank you, Reed! They are a unique bird for sure, I’ve had fun with the angles of their neck. 🙂
I love these photos – especially the close-up of the feet. I remember on my first trip to the Everglades decades ago seeing something out the car window, in a low canal or ditch, that I thought was a snake. As I started seeing more, I realized I was seeing Anhingas. I can see how they got that name. Thanks for sharing. I love the lighting on the birds.
Thank you, Susan! I’ve had fun with taking close-ups of these birds when given the chance, they have so many profile positions with that snakey neck! 🙂
Nice shots. I love the one preening creating a looped neck.
Thank you, David! I favor that one too.
So amazing photos Donna!
Thank you, Minna!
These are great, Donna. Such an interesting bird. Your close-ups are stunning!
Thank you very much, Jane!
Thanks for the close-ups. those feet! Are they related to the Cormorants, certainly strike a similar pose?
Thank you, Jane! Those feet have done some paddling for sure! 🙂 Anhingas and Cormorants are actually two separate species. Anhingas are part of the darter family (4 darter species worldwide). Darters and Cormorants (24+species worldwide) together make up the family Phalacrocoracidae.
Thanks, Donna!
😁😁. A really like the idea of showing their feet. Great swimmers, but can’t walk.
Thanks Ted! Those feet do look cool and probably have paddled some miles already. 🙂
These are great! Anhingas won’t be winning any bird beauty contests but the are cool and interesting. Snake bird is a good name when you see them swimming like you show. AnhingaPreening would be my first place pick! 😀
She’s a good-looking Anhinga. Fantastic photos, Donna. I love Florida sunny weather with such bright light. 🙂
Thank you, HJ! They are fascinating to photograph. I’ve come to love Florida’s light! 🙂
Thank you, Denise! That neck really has some angle capabilities. I favor the preening shot too. 🙂
I certainly did enjoy getting close to this wonderful bird.
I am very happy you did, Tom!
Fine shots, Donna!
Thank you, Belinda!
Great photos Donna, what a beautiful bird. I love your close up shots too. The anhinga reminds me of a bird here, the Australasian darter, very similar and probably a cousin to your anhinga. 🙂
Thank you, Sue! Yes, the Anhinga is a darter and in the same family as your Australasian Darter. I’ve noted in Ashley’s past posts the similarities between the two. 🙂
Learned a new bird today thanks to you! I love the close up photos of its head and neck!
Yay! And thank you!!
Beautiful captures Donna! Nature follows you! ❤️
Thank you Sandra! I like to think nature and I are best buds! 😉
Lovely shots Donna. The young nestling Anhingas really do look like snake necks It is always a chuckle to see their snake necks trying to get fed.
Thank you Ashley! I bet watching the young ones feeding is quite entertaining and would be some great photos!
Interesting bird. Most birds float on top of the water. It swims “in” it. And, its webbed feet have claws.
Unique in its own way! 🙂
I did enjoy getting up close and personal with the anhinga! My mother was on a quest to see an anhinga on one of my childhood trips to Florida but I had no idea what she was talking about. So nice to picture one in my mind now, after all these years. Love the head-shots and the maroon-red eye. Fantastic photos, Donna!
Thank you, Barbara! The first time I saw one years ago, it was in full breeding plumage, and I had no idea what it was, except quite exotic looking. Definitely a unique bird! 🙂
Anhinga are fascinating, so glad you shared these photos.. and I’ve shared a link on twitter. Thank you 🙂
Awwww…thank you, Liz! They are fascinating, I could watch them for a long time if they’d let me. They are very wary and flighty, and get that neck a-going! 🙂
A fine series showing the best of the bird. We have a relative of them in Australia, and again call them ‘Snake Bird”.
They also have the most beautiful feather markings that you show in the first shot.
Thank you, David! Yes, I know your Australasian darter, they look quite alike. Those silver/white feather markings are beautiful, I love when they display them with the ‘Batman’ style wingspan when drying. 🙂
I love to watch Anhinga, Donna. This is a great series showing off their entertaining activities, and yes their feet!
Thank you, Ellen! As wary as they are, it’s great when you can get one that will accept your presence and continue on with their preening or drying! 🙂
WOW, I’ve never seen one in person before. Just stunning photos! They remind me of a cormorant. We have the cormorants here. ~ Sheila
Thanks Sheila! Yes they do resemble a cormorant! They are actually in a different family, the darters.
Dear Donna, this is so beautiful, you did amazing series, loved so much. Thank you, Happy Thanksgiving Day, Love, nia
Thank you very much, Nia!
Wooowww!! Amazing pictures!! Great birder-photographer you are, Donna!!!
Awww…..thank you, Indira! You make me blush! 😊