Anhinga
Anhinga anhinga
The Anhinga ranges widely in South America, especially in the Amazon Basin, but they also live north throughout Central America, Mexico and the coastal zone in the Southeastern USA. They have relatives (members of the Anhinga genus) across the globe in Africa, India, and Australia. In some regions they are called darters. Because of the serpentine curve of their necks, and their manner of swimming with only the head above water, some people call them snakebirds.
Anhingas don’t work oils into their feathers to prevent them from getting soaked during foraging expeditions. Instead, they perch in a dry place, letting the air and sun dry them out. With feathers dried out, they are excellent flyers. With wet feathers, they cannot get airborne, and can only run on the water’s surface or swim.
My first experience meeting Anhingas came in Texas’ Lower Rio Grande Valley during the spring of 2021. A pair were working the waters of the resaca, or oxbow lake near my camp in Brownsville, and I captured a few images. When I returned to Texas in the fall of 2022 and summer 2023, I met these birds further east on the gulf coast at High Island northeast of Galveston Texas.
Today’s science recognises two subspecies of Anhinga:
- A. a. anhinga breeds in South America.
- A. a. leucogaster breeds in southeastern USA, Mexico, Central America and Cuba.
Within the USA, these birds may wander far from any predicted range. We’ve seen them as far north as Nebraska and Ontario (Canada), as far east as New York, and west to Arizona.
27 Photos
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
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Description: My second afternoon capturing bird images in camp at Breeze Lake, Brownsville Texas. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:16 17:09 |
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Location:
Breeze Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: Anhinga_D5X1428-BreezeLake-TX |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
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Description: My second afternoon capturing bird images in camp at Breeze Lake, Brownsville Texas. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:16 16:53 |
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Location:
Breeze Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/800 |
File Name: Anhinga_D5X1387-BreezeLake-TX |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
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Description: My second afternoon capturing bird images in camp at Breeze Lake, Brownsville Texas. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:16 16:53 |
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Location:
Breeze Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/800 |
File Name: Anhinga_D5X1381-BreezeLake-TX |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
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Description: My second afternoon capturing bird images in camp at Breeze Lake, Brownsville Texas. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:16 16:50 |
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Location:
Breeze Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: Anhinga_D5X1311-BreezeLake-TX |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
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Description: My second afternoon capturing bird images in camp at Breeze Lake, Brownsville Texas. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:16 16:48 |
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Location:
Breeze Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: Anhinga_D5X1248-BreezeLake-TX |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
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Description: My second afternoon capturing bird images in camp at Breeze Lake, Brownsville Texas. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:16 16:40 |
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Location:
Breeze Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: Anhinga_D5X1028-BreezeLake-TX |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
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Description: Loading up on rays from the early morning sun. My first morning capturing bird image in camp at Breeze Lake, Brownsville Texas. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:15 8:34 |
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Location:
Breeze Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: Anhinga_D5X0691-BreezeLake |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
|
Description: Loading up on rays from the early morning sun. My first morning capturing bird image in camp at Breeze Lake, Brownsville Texas. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:15 8:34 |
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Location:
Breeze Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: Anhinga_D5X0684-BreezeLake |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
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Description: Loading up on rays from the early morning sun. My first morning capturing bird image in camp at Breeze Lake, Brownsville Texas. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:15 8:31 |
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Location:
Breeze Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: Anhinga_D5X0671-BreezeLake |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
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Description: Loading up on rays from the early morning sun. My first morning capturing bird image in camp at Breeze Lake, Brownsville Texas. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:15 8:31 |
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Location:
Breeze Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: Anhinga_D5X0667-BreezeLake |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
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Description: Loading up on rays from the early morning sun. My first morning capturing bird image in camp at Breeze Lake, Brownsville Texas. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:15 8:28 |
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Location:
Breeze Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: Anhinga_D5X0643-BreezeLake |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
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Description: Loading up on rays from the early morning sun. My first morning capturing bird image in camp at Breeze Lake, Brownsville Texas. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:15 8:08 |
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Location:
Breeze Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: Anhinga_D5X0507-BreezeLake |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
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Description: There were interesting birds, like this sunning Anhinga, at the far side of the large pond, and too distant for good photographs. I had an errand to run in McAllen Texas on Saturday and took the opportunity to meet a new birding location in the area, called the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands. What a lovely place! |
Date Taken: 2021:02:06 13:12 |
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Location:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/500 |
File Name: Anhinga_D5X9215-Edinburg |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
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Description: Anhingas patrolled the marshy ponds at the Smith Oaks Sanctuary in High Island Texas. |
Date Taken: 2022:08:14 15:11 |
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Location:
Smith Oaks Sanctuary |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: Anhinga_8503549SmithOaks.HighIsland.TX_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
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Description: Anhingas patrolled the marshy ponds at the Smith Oaks Sanctuary in High Island Texas. |
Date Taken: 2022:08:14 17:17 |
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Location:
Smith Oaks Sanctuary |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: Anhinga_8503973SmithOaks.HighIsland.TX_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
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Description: Anhingas patrolled the marshy ponds at the Smith Oaks Sanctuary in High Island Texas. |
Date Taken: 2022:08:14 17:19 |
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Location:
Smith Oaks Sanctuary |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: Anhinga_8504003SmithOaks.HighIsland.TX_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
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Description: This skittish Anhinga at the Wolfweed Wetland Marsh left the marsh shortly after I snapped a few images, as did the rest of the marsh birds at San Bernard NWR a few minutes later. |
Date Taken: 2022:08:18 13:56 |
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Location:
Bobcat Trail |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/8000 |
File Name: Anhinga_8504720-SanBernard.NWR_.TX_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
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Description: Anytime I visit High Island Texas, I can’t pass up an opportunity to stop by the Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary. I’ve never been disappointed with the times I’ve spent there. Wading birds and cormorants abound, and lots of nesting takes place. My favorite memory of my June 2023 visit was watching an Anhinga parent feeding its twin offspring. |
Date Taken: 2023:06:25 16:43 |
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Location:
Smith Oaks Sanctuary |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: Anhinga_Z9X2846_HighIsland-TX |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
|
Description: Anytime I visit High Island Texas, I can’t pass up an opportunity to stop by the Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary. I’ve never been disappointed with the times I’ve spent there. Wading birds and cormorants abound, and lots of nesting takes place. My favorite memory of my June 2023 visit was watching an Anhinga parent feeding its twin offspring. |
Date Taken: 2023:06:25 16:43 |
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Location:
Smith Oaks Sanctuary |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: Anhinga_Z9X2859_HighIsland-TX |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
|
Description: Anytime I visit High Island Texas, I can’t pass up an opportunity to stop by the Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary. I’ve never been disappointed with the times I’ve spent there. Wading birds and cormorants abound, and lots of nesting takes place. My favorite memory of my June 2023 visit was watching an Anhinga parent feeding its twin offspring. |
Date Taken: 2023:06:25 17:55 |
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Location:
Smith Oaks Sanctuary |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: Anhinga_Z9X3552_HighIsland-TX |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
|
Description: Anytime I visit High Island Texas, I can’t pass up an opportunity to stop by the Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary. I’ve never been disappointed with the times I’ve spent there. Wading birds and cormorants abound, and lots of nesting takes place. My favorite memory of my June 2023 visit was watching an Anhinga parent feeding its twin offspring. |
Date Taken: 2023:06:25 17:58 |
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Location:
Smith Oaks Sanctuary |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: Anhinga_Z9X3892_HighIsland-TX |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
|
Description: Anytime I visit High Island Texas, I can’t pass up an opportunity to stop by the Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary. I’ve never been disappointed with the times I’ve spent there. Wading birds and cormorants abound, and lots of nesting takes place. My favorite memory of my June 2023 visit was watching an Anhinga parent feeding its twin offspring. |
Date Taken: 2023:06:25 17:58 |
|
Location:
Smith Oaks Sanctuary |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: Anhinga_Z9X3781_HighIsland-TX |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
|
Description: Anytime I visit High Island Texas, I can’t pass up an opportunity to stop by the Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary. I’ve never been disappointed with the times I’ve spent there. Wading birds and cormorants abound, and lots of nesting takes place. My favorite memory of my June 2023 visit was watching an Anhinga parent feeding its twin offspring. |
Date Taken: 2023:06:25 17:57 |
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Location:
Smith Oaks Sanctuary |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: Anhinga_Z9X3708_HighIsland-TX |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
|
Description: Anytime I visit High Island Texas, I can’t pass up an opportunity to stop by the Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary. I’ve never been disappointed with the times I’ve spent there. Wading birds and cormorants abound, and lots of nesting takes place. My favorite memory of my June 2023 visit was watching an Anhinga parent feeding its twin offspring. |
Date Taken: 2023:06:25 17:57 |
|
Location:
Smith Oaks Sanctuary |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: Anhinga_Z9X3698_HighIsland-TX |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
|
Description: Anytime I visit High Island Texas, I can’t pass up an opportunity to stop by the Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary. I’ve never been disappointed with the times I’ve spent there. Wading birds and cormorants abound, and lots of nesting takes place. My favorite memory of my June 2023 visit was watching an Anhinga parent feeding its twin offspring. |
Date Taken: 2023:06:25 17:57 |
|
Location:
Smith Oaks Sanctuary |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: Anhinga_Z9X3676_HighIsland-TX |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
|
Description: Anytime I visit High Island Texas, I can’t pass up an opportunity to stop by the Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary. I’ve never been disappointed with the times I’ve spent there. Wading birds and cormorants abound, and lots of nesting takes place. My favorite memory of my June 2023 visit was watching an Anhinga parent feeding its twin offspring. |
Date Taken: 2023:06:25 17:57 |
|
Location:
Smith Oaks Sanctuary |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: Anhinga_Z9X3653_HighIsland-TX |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) |
|
Description: Anytime I visit High Island Texas, I can’t pass up an opportunity to stop by the Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary. I’ve never been disappointed with the times I’ve spent there. Wading birds and cormorants abound, and lots of nesting takes place. My favorite memory of my June 2023 visit was watching an Anhinga parent feeding its twin offspring. |
Date Taken: 2023:06:25 17:57 |
|
Location:
Smith Oaks Sanctuary |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: Anhinga_Z9X3637_HighIsland-TX |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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