Snakebird Embrace

by AnnaJo Vahle

Title

Snakebird Embrace

Artist

AnnaJo Vahle

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

I saw a flash of color and movement. I looked up to the top of the palm tree next to the path. I watched as a pair of anhingas went through a courting ritual. Their eyes were rimmed with beautiful bright turquoise indicating that it was that special time of year. They sat next to each other and swayed first left then right in total unison. They turned their heads together and fluffed up their feathers in synchronized choreography. They were stunning in their grace. They did these motions repetitively for several minutes with each other. The dance became more intimate as time passed. They entwined their necks over and over lovingly. They even kissed each other slowly by touching their pointed beaks together. The male spread his wings and embraced the female. I was transfixed with the beauty of it all.
Anhingas are monogamous and pairs may reuse nests from year to year. The male begins courtship by soaring and gliding, followed by marking a possible nest location with leafy twigs. Then he performs behavioral displays to attract the female. Once the pair is formed, the male gathers nesting material, while the female builds a platform nest, which is usually on a branch overhanging water or in open areas in the tops of trees. The female constructs the nest by weaving sticks together and padding it with live twigs and green leaves. Usually, the highly territorial males defend any threats to nesting territories with extensive displays and even fighting. If another male approaches the territory, the resident male spreads its wings and snaps its beak. If no retreat occurs, fighting will commence by pecking at each other's heads and necks. Females are less aggressive, but will defend the nest if necessary.

I photographed this with my Nikon camera at the Viera Wetlands in Brevard County, Florida.

Uploaded

February 11th, 2022

Colors

Embed

Share

Tags