The Lovely Mrs. Anhinga
Earlier in the week I saw this female anhinga drying her wings along the edge of the marsh pond. I quickly noticed she displayed the bright ‘eye makeup’ colors that indicate breeding condition. The males also will display a similar color pattern at this time of year but I thought the Mrs. looked particularly fashionable all decked out with her formal makeup applied!
Around this same time another female came flying in and I grabbed a shot for comparison. You can see this lady is not in breeding color so perhaps her turn will come next season.
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Wow, she is absolutely stunning! Hopefully this means some baby anhingas in the future!
Anhingas always make me think of my orals exam, when one of my committee members asked me “What bird has the same common name as both the words of its scientific name?” The answer is the Anhinga, scientific name: Anhinga anhinga!
She really is quite the looker, and it could for sure mean little tiny baby anhingas soon! 🙂
Thanks very much for that info about the anhinga’s scientific name, I did not realize that.
Anhinga anhinga, that’s quite remarkable!
She is one gorgeous babe, Phil! This is one case in nature when the lady gets to flaunt some color (unlike with the female cardinal and peahen)
And, thank you, toughlittlebirds, for the wonderful scientific background on her name. That’s very cool to know!
Thanks very much for looking and commenting Charlotte, I appreciate it!
And yes indeed she is quite the looker!
Admire your craft. Exposure and sharpness always spot on!
Well I appreciate that Beth, thank you!
How bewitching! No male Anhinga can resist that! What colors will the male exhibit in response? (If the colors are subtly similar, how can one distinguish?) It would be electrifying to see the courtship dance for sure.
Glad you enjoyed these anhinga pics!
The male’s breeding colors around the eyes are similar but the male has a black neck as opposed to the buff colored neck of the female (and also the juvenile).
See this post from last month of the pair together. 🙂
I hate to say this but I’d want to be breeding all of the time if I was an Anhinga – such gorgeous colors around her eyes!
Jeez I wonder what that would do to a girl’s hormones, being in 365 breeding?
But yes, the added benefit of your makeup always on and always looking perfect is a key aspect for sure, I would expect.
All organized by colour codes – how cool is that? What an amazing difference. Great captures.
I bet there are plenty of women who would pay big bucks to have that snazzy eye makeup permanently tattoo’d around their eyes.
Glad you liked seeing our local fashion icon.
Great great shots !
I appreciate you looking and commenting, thanks!
E’ bellissima. sembra proprio che abbia il trucco agli occhi!!!
Splendide foto Phil!! Ciao, Pat
Lei ha molto bello il trucco degli occhi!
Grazie Pat!
What a stunning beauty!
Oh she sure is, some lucky male anhinga out there has himself a real looker!
Now, how could any red-blooded male resist that?! Gorgeous!
It’s not possible! She is the Belle of the Marsh Ball with that look!
What a looker! Love those big blue eyes.
She has it going on for sure! Thanks for checking these out Steve!
Absolutely beautiful. I love the eye colors
She sure is a stunner isn’t she?! 🙂 Thank you for looking Twila!
Oh, she is beautiful! Perhaps some little fuzzy ones soon? Such great shots. 🙂
The only thing more cute then the lovely Mrs. would be her tiny fuzzy babies! She could have a nest full somewhere way back in the swamp out of prying eyes.
Wonderful detail Phil.
Thanks very much Jan.
I believe I’ve heard of women actually paying big bucks to have their makeup tattoo’d on. I believe someone would have to pay me to do it and even then, I’m not too sure….. Mrs Anh has the right idea doing it all natural. 🙄
Yes a lady could spend big bucks getting permanent makeup tattooed but as you say this smart one does it the all natural way, and she looks quite fetching indeed!
The eye makeup of Anh is all new to me. Glad to learn something new today 🙂
Great shots, as always!
This lovely lady goes all the way with a daring statement and I think she pulls it off rather nicely!
Beautiful eye detail! Love the colors.
The anhingas do look quite attractive in breeding color for sure!
She certainly has the Max factor. What a babe.
Babe is right! I bet the fellas are lining up at her door, or tree, or wherever she hangs out. 🙂
wonderful!!!
Thanks for looking and glad you liked them!
She is stunning! Also enjoyed the Mr & Mrs you posted earlier. Have only found one female near me so far on the NC coast and she is quite shy. Not sure if it’s because she is too young for makeup or she is embarrassed to be seen without any (some of us females just can’t go anywhere without a little enhancement). Glad to see you are back at the salt marsh. Hope this means you are in full recovery mode!
Well I’m at maybe 70% right now and still dragging a bit but I’m hoping to be back at full strength soon.
I was out today and saw a couple of unadorned females and one brightly colored male that hid behind some brush and wouldn’t allow me any photo ops. Oh well, next time.
Yeah we humans can do the make up but not sure we can get away with the ruby eyes!! Lovely pics of Mrs. Anhinga!
That ruby color would require some super duty contacts and not just anyone could pull that off in combination with aquamarine accents!
Outstanding Phil !!!!!!
Have a great Easter
Thank you Sophie, hope you enjoy your Easter as well!
I really was taken with that eye color and of course your closeups. That is an amazing flight photo too.
Those eyes really do stand out and can be spotted from a distance. I saw a couple today but only the male was in full breeding color and he would not cooperate and come out into the open for photo ops. I’ll get him next time though. 🙂
Thank you. I learn something new everyday. I’ll look for the colors next time I’m in FL.
Thanks for looking and yes be sure to keep an *eye* out for some in breeding color, they are quite nice. 🙂
Fabulous eye makeup! I must give it a try. 🙂 I’m also missing seeing my anhingas in Florida, so your wonderful pics are really welcome, Phil.
Oh you absolutely must try that Sylvia! By all means print out one of these photos, take it to your trendiest salon, and tell them… Give me the Anhinga! 🙂
Hahaha. Start a trend. 😯
I understand it’s all the rage in Paris these days!
Superb pictures as always Phil!
I appreciate that Adrian, thanks!
LOVE this one!!
I’m very happy you enjoyed the anhinga photos, thanks!
I’ve never seen such good eye-shots of these! Wonderful colouring. RH
I’m very happy you enjoyed these, thanks much!
Amazing!!
They are quite nice looking birds at this time of year for sure. I saw a male in breeding color yesterday but he stayed back behind the brush. Got a few flight shots though.
Fabulous photos Phil. (How’s that for alliteration?) seriously, the best breeding colors I have ever seen on an anhinga.