“I Got One!…No I Don’t…Yes I Do!”
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.
Phil Lanoue Photography 
These are excellent. Beautiful bird.
Thanks much Bob, I appreciate it.
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.
Don’t know, I wasn’t there yesterday. Could be mergansers.
Fantastic Phil.
Thank you Edith. 🙂
On the second to last photo he looks really unhappy! Although he has just eaten. Life may not make it right! ☺
He is happy he ate a lot of fish but not happy that he is wet and now has to dry off.
Nice!
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Thanks Sue!
What an amazing job. You really got some great bird shots.
Well I greatly appreciate your very kind comments, thanks.
Beautiful Phil, love the action. They really are a prehistoric looking bird. Pretty acrobatic too.
Thanks glad you liked these! The anhinga is quite an amazing bird and is my favorite bird action to watch and photograph.
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!
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!
Beautiful shots, as usual. It always makes me smile when I see these guys drying out their armpits. 😀
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.
Wonderful shots, really enjoyable sequence.
Thanks so much Charlie, glad you liked them!
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!”
These guys are better at the ‘fish flip’ then I would be trying a popcorn flip. 🙂
Thanks for checking out the pics!
Excellent action shots Phil.
Thanks much Jan I appreciate it!
Great captures, Phil.
Thanks for looking and commenting Mike.
Love these shots, Phil! From sleek, smooth hunter to scruffy urchin! I thought the last one was especially appealing!
Thanks very much Maggie, so glad you enjoyed these pics of my favorite water bird!
what amazing show… fascinated me. Thank you, love, nia
Hi Nia, I am so happy you enjoyed the show! 😀
Great photos – and quite amazing bird behavior
They are amazing birds to watch and photograph!
Thanks for looking!
A great Fisherman this one too!
Great photowork!
He is an expert at what he does! Thanks Hans!
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.
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!
Dear Phil,
WOW, what an exiting series, great captured! The last picture is my favorit!!!
Wish you a nice day,
moni
Thank you moni and I’m happy you enjoyed that last photo, I almost didn’t include it.
WOW, amazing captures!
Thanks so much Amy, I appreciate you looking and commenting!
I love the way these birds dive for their dinner. Superb sequence of shots Phil! 🙂
Thanks so much Adrian, I’m glad you liked this series!
Oops! That one almost got a lucky break. 🙂 Fantastic photos, Phil. Now you’ve made me homesick for Florida again. 😦
That fish was ssoooo close to being very lucky, but the expert anhinga re-caught it. 😯
Yes I’m sure you miss Florida.
a terrific series, Phil! : )
I appreciate you checking these out Karen and glad you like them!
Ah putting on a show for you.
One of my most favorite shows to watch!
Una Serie Impresionante,… Muy Buenas Tomas. Siempre Es Una Sorpresa Visitar Tu Blog. Un Saludo.
¡Gracias! Me alegra que te guste las fotos!
What a show! Again great pics telling a great story. Respect.
Well I’m glad you are enjoying the photos and stories!
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.
That anhinga really knows what he is doing and is an expert! So glad you like these photos Emily and thanks much!
Can’t believe it’s the same bird
They are quite amazing birds and my favorite bird action to photograph!
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.
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. 🙂
Hahahahaha these ones are great!!! 😀
Great seeing these again, Phil. I laughed just as much the second time around. 😀
After being speared like that fishy was probably glad to slip down.