Here's an Anhinga drying his wings. These birds, like cormorants, have no oil glands -- so their feathers are not water repellent (the way ducks and duck-like birds are). Both Anhingas and cormorants move easily underwater, but they have to spread out their wings in the sunshine when they want to get dry.
Both birds also have long snakey-looking necks and both can move easily underwater. The anhinga is a little bit bigger usually, but it can be hard to tell the difference between cormorants and anhingas.
The easiest way to tell is that anhingas have straight beaks and cormorants have hooked ones.
I had to search through my archives to find this picture of a cormorant. You can click to see it better.
For some reason, I really do like the Anhinga better and so I hardly ever take pictures of a cormorant.
(We see the cormorant everywhere, but only see the Anhinga here in Florida.)
I took this picture of the Great Egret mostly because of the interesting tree shadows in the swampy water. We see lots of Egrets, pretty much everywhere we are (from Florida to Alaska and in-between). So I don't always take pictures (even though I never tire of seeing them).
It was a circular boardwalk (round-trip) and the Anhinga was still sitting on the same log on our return trip. But this time, it looked like he was ready to get those wings wet again. Just waiting for the perfect fish dinner to swim by.
The Egret (or one very much like it) was still in the same spot as well. But this time, he had been joined by a whole flock of Ibis. It looked sort of like it was babysitting the little ones (and letting them eat first apparently).
LINKING to WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY (thank you Stewart); to next week's SATURDAY CRITTERS (with thanks to Eileen); and to I'D RATHER B' BIRDING (thank you Annie).
I think that Anhingas sort of personify the Everglades for me. You wonder whether global warming is going to cause that entire area to get permanently submerged.
Posted by: David Gascoigne | February 16, 2015 at 03:43 PM
Beautiful shots !
Posted by: Ela | February 15, 2015 at 03:46 AM
Wonderful...wonderful water birds!!! We have them all here, but sadly this past year, the Anhingas have not shown up. I don't know why, but I do hope they return....they're so beautiful with their feathers/wings open. Great images.
Once again, thanks for taking time to add your link to share your birding post at I'd Rather B Birdin'!!!
Posted by: Anni @ I'd Rather B Birdin' | February 15, 2015 at 01:44 AM
The only blackbird I see, here, at this time f the year is... the blackbird (merle, in French). They come at the beginning of the day to eat the apples I cut for them and put on... the snow. Yes, we have snow now ... and blckbirds on the snow, are beautiful ! Have a nice week, Sallie !
Posted by: Annie | February 14, 2015 at 11:49 PM
Beautiful birds. I like that first shot.
Posted by: Rajesh | February 14, 2015 at 07:30 PM
These are great shots! How interesting that they don't have oil glands.
Posted by: Teresa | February 14, 2015 at 05:58 PM
Thanks for that info about the cormorants and Anhingas. I had no idea about their lack of oil glands. We get cormorants and egrets a plenty, but never anhingas that I know of. Great shots of the birds.
Posted by: Liz Needle | February 14, 2015 at 02:15 AM
Hello Sallie, just stopping back to say thank you so much for linking up and sharing your post.. Have a happy Valentine's Day weekend!
Posted by: Eileen | February 14, 2015 at 02:04 AM
You'd think that oil would be good.... Neat captures Sallie
Posted by: Ramblingwoods | February 13, 2015 at 06:42 PM
beautiful birds both of them :)
Posted by: NatureFootstep | February 13, 2015 at 07:37 AM
I never, ever tire of seeing these birds, Sallie. The first shot of the anhinga is exciting to see. Hope you see, and photo, even more.
Posted by: Penny | February 13, 2015 at 06:17 AM
That first shot just pops out at you - terrific capture Sallie! I want some of the sunshine he's enjoying. We woke up to snow and 25 degrees.
Posted by: Carletta | February 12, 2015 at 11:44 PM
That first shot is just gorgeous!
Posted by: Lady Fi | February 12, 2015 at 10:27 AM
What great information and photos!
Posted by: Marie-AZ | February 12, 2015 at 07:40 AM
Amazing, stunning shots :).
Posted by: HAZEL | February 12, 2015 at 06:46 AM
Wow! I'd be in heaven if I saw all of these water birds at the same place. The anhingas do look a lot like cormorants, but I see the difference in the beak. I remember being so excited when a pair of cormorants began visiting the small lake I used to hike to.
Posted by: Ratty | February 11, 2015 at 10:57 PM
Hi Sallie, wonderful photos and I enjoyed reading about the birds. Thank you :)
Posted by: DeniseinVA | February 11, 2015 at 08:33 PM
lots of wonderful birds pics.
Posted by: Felicia | February 11, 2015 at 04:52 PM
Great shots of the birds and interesting information. I wasn't familiar with the anhinga.
Posted by: Carver | February 11, 2015 at 03:22 PM
Love your bird pictures, - I would send some in return but they would be mostly sparrows and chickadees, with the odd blue jay thrown in for colour.
Posted by: Hildred Finch | February 11, 2015 at 12:57 PM
Thanks for this informative post! I learn so much from you!
Have a great week.
Wil, ABCW Team.
Posted by: Reader Wil | February 11, 2015 at 11:43 AM
Excellent! I love watching them on the logs!
Linda ❤⊱彡
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
https://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/sherlock-boomer
Posted by: Linda | February 11, 2015 at 09:37 AM
Fantastic close up shot of the first image although all are good.
Posted by: Margaret Birding For Pleasure | February 11, 2015 at 12:45 AM
I always learn new species of birds on your blog !
Posted by: Gattina | February 11, 2015 at 12:40 AM
Super post - informative, great pictures, delightfully presented.
We see a lot of egrets too, but have yet to get close enough to snap anything more than a dot-in-the-distance photo of one - so well done for bashing off your superb pictures.
I've just woken, got up, made a cup of coffee and started surfing the net. I immediately came upon your "girl fight" comment on my blog..... and laughed and laughed and laughed and laughed!!! Thanks for giving me such a wonderful witty fun start to my day.
I wish you a great day too.
Posted by: Derek | February 10, 2015 at 06:30 PM
Considering I only see an egret now and then out of this group they are marvelous to see.
Posted by: Gaelyn | February 10, 2015 at 06:19 PM
awesome bird photos...I enjoy all the water dwelling birds.
Posted by: Sondra-SC | February 10, 2015 at 04:48 PM
Beautiful shots of my favorite subject, birds! I love watching them drying their feathers like that Anhinga in the first picture.
Posted by: Lois | February 10, 2015 at 04:30 PM
Love that Anhinga drying its wings.
Posted by: Pat | February 10, 2015 at 03:50 PM
I had no idea that's why cormorants hold their wings out. I thought they were just putting on a show!
Posted by: Barb Behmer | February 10, 2015 at 03:09 PM
I love Florida's birds. In Ft. Lauderdale we lived in a condo on a canal and would watch the anhingas fish...such great fun. They'd dive and then surface 20 - 30 feet down the canal, then dive again.
I've never been able to tell a cormorant from an anhinga so the curved beak info was helpful. Thanx.
But you are "unbearable." Yup, the bear was Photoshopped! Heh, heh.
Posted by: Lowell | February 10, 2015 at 02:33 PM
I learn something from you whenever I check in. Thanks.
Posted by: Dianne | February 10, 2015 at 02:10 PM
I love the photo of the anhinga drying its wings.
Posted by: Gunilla | February 10, 2015 at 12:56 PM
Oh what a great series. Love the Anhinga's drying technique!
Posted by: Karen, Pixel Posts | February 10, 2015 at 12:28 PM
A great series of photos - I especially lie the Anhinga - I had one drop off a perch into the water in front of me at the lake last week - and totally disappear! Or at least I couldn't see it again!
Posted by: Mick | February 10, 2015 at 10:17 AM
LOVE the anhinga shot! so sleek!
Posted by: TexWisGirl | February 10, 2015 at 09:35 AM
I was looking at the egrets and then I realized the Ibis were mixed in. Looks like a happy flock! Enjoy your day. It's a bit chilly here today. Hugs, Diane
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | February 10, 2015 at 09:24 AM
Lovely share Sallie. I might get to see a few birds like this, or sort of next week in Florida. We have Cormorants that travel through and I have seen them drying their wings like this. Happy week~
Posted by: Mary Howell Cromer | February 10, 2015 at 09:02 AM
Hello Sallie, wonderful collection of birds and photos..The Anhinga is a neat bird. I like how you did the black/white theme. Have a happy day!
Posted by: Eileen | February 10, 2015 at 08:58 AM
A great shine to the Cormorants back.
Posted by: Adam Jnes | February 10, 2015 at 08:56 AM
That first shot is so cool!
Posted by: Mama Zen | February 10, 2015 at 08:50 AM