Category Archives: Anhinga

Gator and Black point Road birding,Florida

Howdee all,

I found this forgotten post on this rainy, overcast North Carolina Day…I have a few Florida posts waiting to be finished..and I have been lazy about blogging…

I have been walking around Sickstas garden and getting my hands dirty. I have also been searching for the illusive Morel mushroom..hope I find some soon.

I set out my feeders and have a few new arrivals, American Goldfinch and Common Grackle..today a Ruby-throated Hummingbird 🙂 The Bluebirds are checking out the nest box…and spring has sprung..Bird Migration is happening and we are ready and waiting.

Anyway..

I want to share some clouds and birds…

~Remembering~

Merritt Island NWR

Black Point drive, Gator road_012This photo from Gator Drive, Merritt Island NWRBlack Point drive, Gator road_005We always enjoy birding this area of Florida..Black Point drive, Gator road_020Great EgretBlack Point drive, Gator road_002Black Point drive, Gator road_003Black Point drive, Gator road_004Great Blue HeronBlack Point drive, Gator road_007Belted KingfisherBlack Point drive, Gator road_015Pied-billed GrebeBlack Point drive, Gator road_024

Snowy EgretBlack Point drive, Gator road_039Black Point drive, Gator road_042

Tri-colored HeronBlack Point drive, Gator road_054AnhingaBlack Point drive, Gator road_091Green HeronBlack Point drive, Gator road_120

Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs

Merritt island Jeffs pics_002These are just a few of the many birds you will encounter in this area…Merritt island Jeffs pics_005

A wonderful place to bird!Black Point drive, Gator road_053

Wings on Wednesday

Howdee all,

I think the Anhinga is a beautiful bird…. Black Point drive, Gator road_070

The anhinga is a water bird. It does not have oil glands for waterproofing its feathers like most water birds. When it goes swimming its feathers get wet. This helps it dive and chase fish underwater. However when it is above water, it must spread its wings to dry in the sun. It can fly with wet feathers but not as well.

Black Point drive, Gator road_072

 The adults have beautiful white feathers. The long tail has given the anhinga the nickname, “water turkey”. It is also known as the snake-bird because of its snake-like neck. The female anhinga is easy to spot. Her neck and chest feathers are much lighter in color than the male.

Black Point drive, Gator road_083

Look at that neck…

Black Point drive, Gator road_085Those eyes…Black Point drive, Gator road_096It stood there pretty much in the same position for over 20 minutes..Black Point drive, Gator road_097Just turning its head now and then…Black Point drive, Gator road_098

What do you think…is the Anhinga a Beautiful bird?