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!

33 thoughts on “Mr. And Mrs. Anhinga”

grasberry on March 24, 2014 at 4:55 pm said:

Awesome colors on that Anhinga and superb shots, Phil! They look so gaudy with their breeding plumage on

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- Phil Lanoue on March 24, 2014 at 6:19 pm said:
  
  Thanks Gareth and yes you gotta love that eye makeup!
  
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dinajohnston on March 24, 2014 at 4:56 pm said:

Beautiful catch of that green/blue eye. This is the pretty bird time of the year. Hope you are doing okay.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 24, 2014 at 6:20 pm said:
  
  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.
  
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einfachtilda on March 24, 2014 at 4:57 pm said:

Wunderschöne Tiere.

LG Mathilda

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- Phil Lanoue on March 24, 2014 at 6:26 pm said:
  
  Ja, sie sind ziemlich Vögel. Danke Mathilda!
  
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Patrizia M. on March 24, 2014 at 5:03 pm said:

Bellissimi scatti, wowww

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- Phil Lanoue on March 24, 2014 at 6:25 pm said:
  
  Grazie Pat!
  
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Judy on March 24, 2014 at 5:26 pm said:

Very nice as usual. Does the bird in the third photo have a rope or string on his leg?

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- Phil Lanoue on March 24, 2014 at 6:23 pm said:
  
  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.
  
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Lee Wilkerson on March 24, 2014 at 6:15 pm said:

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?

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- Phil Lanoue on March 24, 2014 at 6:25 pm said:
  
  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.
  
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foxleylady on March 24, 2014 at 6:26 pm said:

I love the detail on these birds, Phil – the last shot is just stunning!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 24, 2014 at 6:28 pm said:
  
  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.
  
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Lyle Krahn on March 24, 2014 at 8:17 pm said:

That makeup really makes the male look a lot more impressive.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 24, 2014 at 8:50 pm said:
  
  He certainly is a flamboyant chap for sure.
  
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MHinGA on March 24, 2014 at 8:28 pm said:

Long time lurker, first time to comment. Your photos are fabulous and your narrative is compelling. Thanks for sharing your tremendous talent!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 24, 2014 at 8:51 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much for your visit here and your very kind comments I appreciate it!
  
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The Dancing Rider on March 25, 2014 at 9:47 am said:

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. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on March 25, 2014 at 10:48 am said:
  
  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.
  
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Amy on March 25, 2014 at 9:54 am said:

You captured the beautiful eye colors! Beautiful birds, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 25, 2014 at 10:49 am said:
  
  They have the most amazing bright colors around their eyes during breeding season! A real treat to see.
  
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Judy on March 25, 2014 at 10:14 am said:

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.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 25, 2014 at 10:51 am said:
  
  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!
  
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  - Judy on March 25, 2014 at 11:45 am said:
    
    Better those mating colors than a red rump like Baboons.
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on March 26, 2014 at 4:05 pm said:
      
      Yeah that baboon butt is not particularly attractive at all.
      
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      - Judy on March 26, 2014 at 7:50 pm said:
        
        Unless you are guy baboon of course!!
        
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        Phil Lanoue on March 28, 2014 at 4:58 pm said:
        
        Ha ha oh well, of course!
        
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Gracie on March 25, 2014 at 11:40 am said:

Wow Phil, these are amazing. The crispness and clarity of that last image is just incredible. Look at the eye!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 25, 2014 at 5:36 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Gracie and you gotta love that stylish eye makeup!
  
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janmasyn on March 25, 2014 at 12:04 pm said:

Beautiful shots Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 25, 2014 at 5:36 pm said:
  
  I’m glad you liked those Jan.
  
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Garden Walk Garden Talk on April 18, 2014 at 1:53 am said:

Fancy, fancy, fancy. Beautiful birds and photos. Cute hairdo on the guy too.

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