What’s The Rush?!

This morning I was watching an anhinga fishing in the marsh and he was doing quite well, floating in and out and catching several small fish.

Normally, when an anhinga is done fishing, it will make it’s way over to a portion of land because the bird has to stand around for a while and dry off the stretched out wings. But this guy suddenly burst up out of the water and flew off in a huge hurry. They can fly with wet wings if they need to but that’s usually reserved for an emergency situation such as evading a stalking alligator.

I suspected that might be the case here but I never did see an alligator although one could have been submerged and in stealth mode.

Perhaps this fellow just remembered he was late for a lunch date with the lovely Mrs. Anhinga…

28 thoughts on “What’s The Rush?!”

moondustwriter on April 10, 2015 at 4:56 pm said:

Wow what a great morning you had!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 10, 2015 at 5:12 pm said:
  
  Hey thanks, I appreciate it. Would have been better though if the alligators cooperated. I saw three babies along the edge but none of the big guys would come in.
  
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Raewyn's Photos on April 10, 2015 at 5:20 pm said:

Great photos. Never a dull moment for you.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 10, 2015 at 5:25 pm said:
  
  Thanks, there was not a whole lot going on out there today. This is called…trying to make something out of nothing. 🙂
  
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  - Raewyn's Photos on April 10, 2015 at 5:26 pm said:
    
    Still worth it though.
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on April 10, 2015 at 5:46 pm said:
      
      Yeah it is, especially since the anhinga fishing is one of my all time favorite wildlife action to photograph.
      
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Vicky on April 10, 2015 at 6:44 pm said:

Definitely a date with Mrs. Anhinga at the Hard “Rock” Cafe!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 10, 2015 at 11:03 pm said:
  
  I bet that’s it!
  
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Birder's Journey on April 10, 2015 at 7:05 pm said:

That’s a great little vignette, played out perfectly with your series of photos! Let’s see, which option holds the most intrigue . . . escape from a stealthy alligator, or a date with the missus?

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- Phil Lanoue on April 10, 2015 at 11:05 pm said:
  
  Ooooo… Both sound equaling intriguing! We know those gators can be sneaky but he wouldn’t want to have the Mrs. mad at him. Humm…
  
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donna213 on April 10, 2015 at 7:25 pm said:

I bet the alligator you didn’t see was looking for a little poultry for lunch. The three little gators not a nice photo? I like the little ones. They are kinda adorable. You really got a great sequence of that bird. Beautiful photos, Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 10, 2015 at 11:07 pm said:
  
  Those alligators are really starting to get extra hungry so anything is possible. 🙂
  I got individual shots of two of the three youngsters but they were never all together, always 12-15 apart. They were staying away from the big guys which is smart. The little ones are cute!
  
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  - donna213 on April 10, 2015 at 11:11 pm said:
    
    To me, the little ones always look like they are smiling.
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on April 11, 2015 at 8:15 am said:
      
      The little guys do have that cute smily expression, but the ones I see off in the corner what I call “Baby Cove” also have to be alert in a big guy comes in to fish. The big guy usually scatters the smaller ones.
      
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judysbirds on April 10, 2015 at 7:44 pm said:

I just love the color of their eyes in breeding season!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 10, 2015 at 11:09 pm said:
  
  Yes they do look especially attractive at this time. The females get a bit brighter and fluffier too. 🙂
  
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Scott Marshall on April 11, 2015 at 4:19 am said:

The explosion and the food dance extraordinary stuff as usual Phil

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- Phil Lanoue on April 11, 2015 at 8:15 am said:
  
  Thanks a million Scott, glad you liked these!
  
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Scott Marshall on April 11, 2015 at 4:34 am said:

Do love catching up with your blog Phil

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- Phil Lanoue on April 11, 2015 at 8:16 am said:
  
  I appreciate you checking in.
  
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ecoy1 on April 11, 2015 at 7:21 am said:

Great action shot, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 11, 2015 at 8:17 am said:
  
  Thank you! An anhinga fishing is one of my all time favorite wildlife actions to photograph.
  
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Linda on April 11, 2015 at 8:35 am said:

What a shot!!! You catch it just at the right moment!!!!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 11, 2015 at 10:04 am said:
  
  The bird does all the work! Thanks! 🙂
  
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foxleylady on April 12, 2015 at 7:48 am said:

Busy, busy, busy! Such great action shots, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 13, 2015 at 12:38 pm said:
  
  They are active birds and always a treat to see in action!
  
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The Lite Rider on April 12, 2015 at 10:15 am said:

Sushi chef! This is a great capture — and not by Mr. A!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 13, 2015 at 12:40 pm said:
  
  These guys love them some sushi and that sneaky Mr. A can just go hunt somewhere else. 🙂
  
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