Get To Know The Anhinga Through Art - The Patina Journal
Updated: Aug 29
In this artist blog, we embrace anhingas, the aquatic species of bird that spends its time in the water or on branches hanging over the water. See photos of anhingas in several of their favorite habitat. Learn fun facts about anhingas, and see an up-close video of anhingas in the wild.
Dear Friends,
I love anhingas! This week, I want to share my photos and observations about them. A bird of many nicknames, the dark water bird is sometimes referred to as the devil bird. Its swimming habits and broad tail have also earned it the name of Water Turkey. Many also refer to it as the snake-bird owing to its long neck that sticks out of the water as it swims. The Anhingas can spend long periods of time underwater searching for prey; their feathers are not waterproof, and hence making them barely buoyant and allowing it to dive easily into water. The Everglades are the favorite habitat for anhingas, as they prefer shallow, slow-moving, sheltered waters for hunting with access to nearby branches over banks for drying and sunning themselves. I hope you enjoy this newsletter about these proud and impressive birds. Please send us your thoughts and opinions, and share this newsletter with others!
-Geoffrey
Anhingas are monogamous, and pairs may reuse nests from year to year. Males court females with snazzy wing and tail flapping “dances,” and extra-fluffy mohawk displays. During mating season, they may have a blue eyeliner.
Anhinga Artwork
Geoffrey loves to observe, photograph, sketch, paint, and sculpt anhingas.
Many a bend in a river have I come around to see an Anhinga, wings outstretched like a beacon, guiding my way, urging me forward, whispering to me, “You’re going the right way.” It’s a rather awe-inspiring sight — one of those moments that you can’t articulate because words seem inadequate to capture the sacred.
Apparently, I’m not the only person to feel this way, as is demonstrated in Indian artwork. As the quintessential “water bird”, it is a symbol of life, a messenger, and very important in ceremonial healing practices.
—Elie Wolf
