Female Anhinga portrait – D200, handheld, f7.1, 1/350, ISO 160, 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light
Anhingas have always fascinated me. I remember the first time I saw one it was swimming in the water with just its head visible many, many years ago. At that moment I thought it was a water snake until I noticed the very long, sharp bill. I had to go home and look them up in my reference books. Anhingas are also called “Snake Bird” and “Water Turkey”.
The female in the portrait above was watching a male display for her.
Male Anhinga portrait – D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/250, ISO 200, 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light
The male Anhinga in the portrait above was the male displaying for the female in the first image. They make a Krah-krah sound when displaying that is unmistakable.
Anhingas are inhabitants of southeastern wetlands, you’ll find them in swamps, rivers, lakes and ponds. I’ve never seen one in saltwater though. Personally I love the garnet red colored eyes of the males.
I don’t get to see Anhingas here in Utah, but I will look for them when I visit Florida again.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Anhinga photos plus facts and information about this species.
Nice images, and I enjoy seeing both male and female in the same post. I will always associate my first visit to Florida with this speces where I got a similar composition of a male along Anhinga Trail. I just wish I hadn’t been in such a hurrry and would have obtained better focus with my manual focus 200mm macro lens.