Feb. 19, 2012 - Anhinga-Vierra Wetlands
Read MoreDuring the photo workshop I recently attended, we went to the Vierra Wetlands near Melbourne, Florida. Nesting season was in full swing for the Anhingas. You can tell this is a female Anhinga by the brown feathers on her neck. The Anhinga can swim with its body under water and only the neck and head showing. At a glance, this makes it look like a reptile and that’s how it got the nickname of snake bird.
Here’s a male Anhinga; note the black feathers on the neck. As part of his courtship display, he will lean forward, fan out his long, light-tipped tail, and move his wings up and down. This display led to another nickname, the water turkey. By the way, this is not the nest; it’s just a mound of grass in the water.
Add a comment in the space below.