Anhinga

[Barbara Ponder]

CC always welcome and appreciated.

[John 2]

My only (small) thought is that it is a tad too tight at the bottom. Still a very nice shot though.

[JohnRostron]

Great shot, as usual from you. I like the way the wind is ruffling the feathers on its neck. It also shows the kink in the neck so characteristic of these birds.

John

[IzzieK]

Very nice again, Barbara...he's having a bad hair day...it looks so funny.

[Shadowman]

Nice timing on the capture.

[Rebel]

Really nice image, bit tight at the bottom but thats just nitpickng

[Barbara Ponder]

My only (small) thought is that it is a tad too tight at the bottom. Still a very nice shot though.

John, I was mad at myself for that close crop. I had several wonderful head positions of him, he was doing the head dance, and all but 2 I had cut off the tail and one the 2 I didn't both were really close to it.

[Barbara Ponder]

Great shot, as usual from you. I like the way the wind is ruffling the feathers on its neck. It also shows the kink in the neck so characteristic of these birds.

John

Thank you John! They always have such interesting head positions.

[Barbara Ponder]

Very nice again, Barbara...he's having a bad hair day...it looks so funny.

Thanks Izzie! They are such odd looking birds.

[Barbara Ponder]

Nice timing on the capture.

Thank You John!

[Barbara Ponder]

Really nice image, bit tight at the bottom but thats just nitpickng

Matt, thanks. Like I told John I was mad at myself for not watching my spacing closer. Hope I ll get another chance at one.

[Dave Humphries]

Matt, thanks. Like I told John I was mad at myself for not watching my spacing closer. Hope I ll get another chance at one.

Still better than just cutting off the tail feathers though Barbara (my usual trick)

If this were mine (and so few of mine are this good), I'd extend the canvas and clone some water and tree content - but I would endeavour not to repeat the error next time (as you intend).

I've not seen this combination of body shape and colours (esp. the eyes) - it looks like a cross between what I'd think of as a Heron and Cormorant/Shag. Having now read a bit, seems they are more Cormorant like, in behaviour, than Herons.

Excellent shot, thanks for showing us, Dave

[Saorsa]

I've not seen this combination of body shape and colours (esp. the eyes) - it looks like a cross between what I'd think of as a Heron and Cormorant/Shag. Having now read a bit, seems they are more Cormorant like, in behaviour, than Herons.

Definitely more cormorant like. Both are diving birds that extend their wings and 'fly' underwater. The differnce is that the Anhinga uses it's pointed beak to stab its prey and the cormorant uses the downward curve of the upper beak to grab its lunch.

Both are unoiled and need to stop and preen when wet.

[Barbara Ponder]

Still better than just cutting off the tail feathers though Barbara (my usual trick)

If this were mine (and so few of mine are this good), I'd extend the canvas and clone some water and tree content - but I would endeavour not to repeat the error next time (as you intend).

I've not seen this combination of body shape and colours (esp. the eyes) - it looks like a cross between what I'd think of as a Heron and Cormorant/Shag. Having now read a bit, seems they are more Cormorant like, in behaviour, than Herons.

Excellent shot, thanks for showing us, Dave

Thank you Dave! They are very interesting birds. When they swim all you see is that long neck and head moving gracefully through the water.