May 6, 2013 5:52 pm
Yesterday afternoon we were watching this anhinga fishing in the marsh pond. The anhinga is a water bird that fishes under water by spearing the fish on the end of it’s sharp bill. It then must get the fish off of it’s bill in order to swallow it. So the anhinga will flip the fish into the air, then catch it head first for easy swallowing.
This anhinga had caught a fish…then lost it on the initial flip…then re-caught the fish, and was successful on the second attempt at the mid air fish flip! After it was done fishing it hopped out of the water onto a nearby stump to dry off. These birds will hold out their wings to let the air and the sun dry them off. It may be surprising that a water bird is not water proof, but the anhinga, like the cormorant is not. This however allows it to easily swim under the water and stay down for quite a while as it searches for fish.
Posted by Phil Lanoue
Categories: Anhingas, Bird Photography, Wildlife Photography
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These are excellent. Beautiful bird.
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By BobR on May 6, 2013 at 6:05 pm
Thanks much Bob, I appreciate it.
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By Phil Lanoue on May 7, 2013 at 1:25 pm
Phil, what was the huge water bird in the marsh today? The male had a white chest. There was a male and female. They kind of looked like ducks. Really beautiful.
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By Maleea Brooks on May 6, 2013 at 6:09 pm
Don’t know, I wasn’t there yesterday. Could be mergansers.
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By Phil Lanoue on May 7, 2013 at 1:26 pm
Fantastic Phil.
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By edithlevyphotography on May 6, 2013 at 6:48 pm
Thank you Edith. 🙂
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By Phil Lanoue on May 7, 2013 at 1:26 pm
On the second to last photo he looks really unhappy! Although he has just eaten. Life may not make it right! ☺
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By pixelspielerei on May 6, 2013 at 7:20 pm
He is happy he ate a lot of fish but not happy that he is wet and now has to dry off.
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By Phil Lanoue on May 7, 2013 at 1:27 pm
Nice!
________________________________
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By Susan Sohl on May 6, 2013 at 7:52 pm
Thanks Sue!
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By Phil Lanoue on May 7, 2013 at 1:27 pm
What an amazing job. You really got some great bird shots.
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By Phillip on May 6, 2013 at 8:15 pm
Well I greatly appreciate your very kind comments, thanks.
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By Phil Lanoue on May 7, 2013 at 1:27 pm
Beautiful Phil, love the action. They really are a prehistoric looking bird. Pretty acrobatic too.
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By Garden Walk Garden Talk on May 6, 2013 at 8:40 pm
Thanks glad you liked these! The anhinga is quite an amazing bird and is my favorite bird action to watch and photograph.
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By Phil Lanoue on May 7, 2013 at 1:28 pm
GREAT PHOTOS!!! You are awesome!!! Your comments are so fun too!!! I always look forward to visiting your site!
In the last shot, it looks like it is saying “TA-DA” and getting ready to take a bow!
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By Carol C on May 6, 2013 at 9:15 pm
I think he did take a bit of a bow as I was watching him. He did seem quite pleased with himself.
Thanks so much I’m happy you enjoyed these photos!
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By Phil Lanoue on May 7, 2013 at 1:29 pm
Beautiful shots, as usual. It always makes me smile when I see these guys drying out their armpits. 😀
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By Gunta on May 6, 2013 at 9:36 pm
It almost seems like a cruel joke was played on a water bird like the anhinga not actually being water proof.
But it works for them very well though the dry off period could be a bit annoying for them I expect.
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By Phil Lanoue on May 7, 2013 at 1:31 pm
Wonderful shots, really enjoyable sequence.
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By Charlie@Seattle Trekker on May 6, 2013 at 10:50 pm
Thanks so much Charlie, glad you liked them!
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By Phil Lanoue on May 7, 2013 at 1:31 pm
Really nice photos, as always. I’m glad I have hands to put food in my mouth and don’t have to rely on the “fish flip!”
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By Deb W. Trotter on May 7, 2013 at 1:09 am
These guys are better at the ‘fish flip’ then I would be trying a popcorn flip. 🙂
Thanks for checking out the pics!
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By Phil Lanoue on May 7, 2013 at 1:32 pm
Excellent action shots Phil.
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By janmasyn on May 7, 2013 at 2:15 am
Thanks much Jan I appreciate it!
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By Phil Lanoue on May 7, 2013 at 1:32 pm
Great captures, Phil.
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By mike585 on May 7, 2013 at 4:02 am
Thanks for looking and commenting Mike.
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By Phil Lanoue on May 7, 2013 at 1:33 pm
Love these shots, Phil! From sleek, smooth hunter to scruffy urchin! I thought the last one was especially appealing!
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By Maggie Davey on May 7, 2013 at 5:01 am
Thanks very much Maggie, so glad you enjoyed these pics of my favorite water bird!
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By Phil Lanoue on May 7, 2013 at 1:33 pm
what amazing show… fascinated me. Thank you, love, nia
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By niasunset on May 7, 2013 at 5:21 am
Hi Nia, I am so happy you enjoyed the show! 😀
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By Phil Lanoue on May 7, 2013 at 1:33 pm
Great photos – and quite amazing bird behavior
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By norasphotos4u on May 7, 2013 at 8:29 am
They are amazing birds to watch and photograph!
Thanks for looking!
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By Phil Lanoue on May 7, 2013 at 1:34 pm
A great Fisherman this one too!
Great photowork!
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By HansHB on May 7, 2013 at 9:30 am
He is an expert at what he does! Thanks Hans!
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By Phil Lanoue on May 7, 2013 at 1:34 pm
Excellent shots! I wonder about the poor fish who thought he’d gotten away, only to be caught again! The last photo reminds me of a performer, soaking up praise – which I suppose this anhinga is doing.
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By Cowboys and Crossbones on May 7, 2013 at 12:17 pm
That happens a lot more then you would think where some poor fish does manage to initially elude capture and thinks it will live to swim another day only to be practically immediately caught again. Bad day for Mr. Fish!
That bird was ready for his standing O!
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By Phil Lanoue on May 7, 2013 at 1:36 pm
Dear Phil,
WOW, what an exiting series, great captured! The last picture is my favorit!!!
Wish you a nice day,
moni
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By monisertel on May 7, 2013 at 12:21 pm
Thank you moni and I’m happy you enjoyed that last photo, I almost didn’t include it.
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By Phil Lanoue on May 7, 2013 at 1:37 pm
WOW, amazing captures!
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By Amy on May 7, 2013 at 12:54 pm
Thanks so much Amy, I appreciate you looking and commenting!
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By Phil Lanoue on May 7, 2013 at 1:37 pm
I love the way these birds dive for their dinner. Superb sequence of shots Phil! 🙂
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By Chillbrook on May 7, 2013 at 1:53 pm
Thanks so much Adrian, I’m glad you liked this series!
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By Phil Lanoue on May 10, 2013 at 5:05 pm
Oops! That one almost got a lucky break. 🙂 Fantastic photos, Phil. Now you’ve made me homesick for Florida again. 😦
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By adinparadise on May 7, 2013 at 3:23 pm
That fish was ssoooo close to being very lucky, but the expert anhinga re-caught it. 😯
Yes I’m sure you miss Florida.
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By Phil Lanoue on May 10, 2013 at 5:06 pm
a terrific series, Phil! : )
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By drawandshoot on May 7, 2013 at 5:10 pm
I appreciate you checking these out Karen and glad you like them!
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By Phil Lanoue on May 10, 2013 at 5:06 pm
Ah putting on a show for you.
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By lylekrahn on May 9, 2013 at 12:10 am
One of my most favorite shows to watch!
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By Phil Lanoue on May 10, 2013 at 5:07 pm
Una Serie Impresionante,… Muy Buenas Tomas. Siempre Es Una Sorpresa Visitar Tu Blog. Un Saludo.
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By joserasan66 on May 9, 2013 at 9:57 am
¡Gracias! Me alegra que te guste las fotos!
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By Phil Lanoue on May 10, 2013 at 5:08 pm
What a show! Again great pics telling a great story. Respect.
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By meyer23 on May 9, 2013 at 1:47 pm
Well I’m glad you are enjoying the photos and stories!
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By Phil Lanoue on May 10, 2013 at 5:07 pm
WOW ! What a fantastic series of shots this is Phil ! You make it seem it lasts forever, but I know it’s just a second or too. He’s a great fish catcher for certain.
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By Bella Remy Photography on May 11, 2013 at 8:16 pm
That anhinga really knows what he is doing and is an expert! So glad you like these photos Emily and thanks much!
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By Phil Lanoue on May 12, 2013 at 2:50 pm
Can’t believe it’s the same bird
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By crazytraintotinkytown on May 13, 2013 at 11:54 am
They are quite amazing birds and my favorite bird action to photograph!
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By Phil Lanoue on May 14, 2013 at 12:46 pm
Oh, those are great! I love that showy display in the last photo, even though he’s just drying off his wings! It looks like he is flaunting those lovely feathers.
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By Fergiemoto on May 14, 2013 at 12:37 pm
They do look like they are flaunting, in fact they will often pose like that for some time. Although for them I don’t believe they think of it as posing. 🙂
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By Phil Lanoue on May 14, 2013 at 12:47 pm
Hahahahaha these ones are great!!! 😀
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By Katariina Partala on May 17, 2013 at 1:21 pm
Great seeing these again, Phil. I laughed just as much the second time around. 😀
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By anotherday2paradise on December 3, 2013 at 6:02 pm
After being speared like that fishy was probably glad to slip down.
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By Angela on May 23, 2015 at 5:48 am