Because their feathers are not waterproofed and do become waterlogged the anhingas must dry their feathers before flying any great distance. This page has views of males and females drying their feathers.
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This early July 2014 image is a post-fishing drying session.
[Anhinga standing on the grassy hillside beside the pond. This is a side view as the bird faces to the left with its head turned toward the water. Its wings are completely spread and its long tail feathers are fanned.]

This anhinga is drying its feathers in a tree hanging over the pond.
[Back view of bird with its head pointing to the left as it dries its feather while perched in the evergreen. The individual feathers are clearly visible with white feathers near the top of its wings and tan-colored feathers coming from its head.]

I saw this extremely waterlogged bird in early July 2014.
[Bird is standing on a branch above the water with its wings and feathers fanned. Bird is very dark and feathers look quite soupy. It stands with its back to the camera.]

Not sure what the anhinga has in its gullet.
[Side view of an anhinga with its wings outstretched. The back part of the mouth is expanded and pinkish in color as if there is something filling this area.]

Females have a grey upper body, neck and head.
[Front view of an anhinga with its wings outstretched. The wings and lower part of the body are black while the rest is a light grey. The bill and legs and feet are yellow.]

Same bird from the back view.
(I think the feathers closest to her body resemble epaulettes.)
[Back view of an anhinga with its wings outstretched. The wings have white feathers at the upper edges while the rest is black.]

Side view of the drying bird.
[Side view of an anhinga with its wings outstretched. The entire body is visible as the wings are held above the back. The white feathers are visible. This is a female anhinga with the grey neck and top of body.]

This drying anhinga is quite vocal.
[Side view of an anhinga facing to the left with its mouth open probably nearly as wide as it will go. The wings are barely visible even though they are completely outstretched. There are white feathers visible in black upper neck area of this male.]

She sees me watching her.
[Front view of a female anhinga staring at the camera with its wings outstretched. Her grey neck and top of body look quite 'fuzzy'.]

Continue to page 3 of 3 to see the anhinga in interesting poses.

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All photos © S. M. Garver