Mr. And Mrs. Anhinga
Yesterday over at the marsh pond I saw this male and female anhinga in the classic wing drying pose. The male on the right is dressed in his typical all black attire, but also has the aqua blue/green eye ‘makeup’ which indicates breeding condition. Once they had their wings sufficiently dried, Mr. Anhinga decided it was time to leave with the lovely Mrs. following not far behind.
A bit later I saw another male perched nearby. He was also starting to get the breeding color around his eyes, but I didn’t see a mate so…he may still be single and looking!
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Awesome colors on that Anhinga and superb shots, Phil! They look so gaudy with their breeding plumage on
Thanks Gareth and yes you gotta love that eye makeup!
Beautiful catch of that green/blue eye. This is the pretty bird time of the year. Hope you are doing okay.
It’s funny how the males get that gaudy look at breeding time but it is an interesting and bright color.
I’m hanging in so far, but I think the cure is worse then the disease.
Wunderschöne Tiere.
LG Mathilda
Ja, sie sind ziemlich Vögel. Danke Mathilda!
Bellissimi scatti, wowww
Grazie Pat!
Very nice as usual. Does the bird in the third photo have a rope or string on his leg?
Thanks Judy, glad you liked these anhinga shots.
She just picked up a piece of string like pond vegetation. If you look in the second photo it’s under the male’s feet and he is dragging it over as he took off and she must have picked it up when she took off. It will drop off her foot quickly.
Great shots of this anhinga pair. That last portrait is excellent! I was wondering too, about the string that looks like it’s attached to the female’s leg as she is flying?
Hey Lee, thanks for checking these out and glad you enjoyed seeing the anhingas.
As I told Judy, The female just picked up a piece of string-like pond vegetation. If you look in the second photo it’s under the male’s feet and he is dragging it over as he took off and she must have picked it up when she took off.
It will drop off her foot quickly I expect.
I love the detail on these birds, Phil – the last shot is just stunning!
I appreciate you checking them out Maggie and your very kind words.
Alyce took me over to the marsh yesterday and allowed me ten minutes out before transporting me straight back home. Lucky these anhingas were out.
That makeup really makes the male look a lot more impressive.
He certainly is a flamboyant chap for sure.
Long time lurker, first time to comment. Your photos are fabulous and your narrative is compelling. Thanks for sharing your tremendous talent!
Thanks very much for your visit here and your very kind comments I appreciate it!
Lovely sequence. The anhinga are pretty birds. Fascinating about the eye color change! That last photo – so interesting in every way! What a cute little punkish tuft he has. Those eyes contrast so dramatically with his plummage and bill. 🙂
The anhinga is my number one favorite bird action to watch and photograph. Their fishing method is amazing! These birds were already done fishing by the time I saw them and were drying off. I always thought the kind of fluffy black feathers on the male looked like cat fur.
You captured the beautiful eye colors! Beautiful birds, Phil!
They have the most amazing bright colors around their eyes during breeding season! A real treat to see.
I love that couple shot! So clearly demonstrates the appearance of the male and female. And, those mating colors around the eye..I just love them. So interesting how brilliant they become..and all due to bird hormones!! I suppose if humans got that skin color around the eye when in heat that we’d look like an Egyptian princess or something.
I bet there would be many people that would pay big bucks to automatically get brilliant eye enhancements once every year! 🙂
Thanks for checking these out Judy!
Better those mating colors than a red rump like Baboons.
Yeah that baboon butt is not particularly attractive at all.
Unless you are guy baboon of course!!
Ha ha oh well, of course!
Wow Phil, these are amazing. The crispness and clarity of that last image is just incredible. Look at the eye!
Thanks very much Gracie and you gotta love that stylish eye makeup!
Beautiful shots Phil.
I’m glad you liked those Jan.
Fancy, fancy, fancy. Beautiful birds and photos. Cute hairdo on the guy too.