Skewered is a painting by AnnaJo Vahle which was uploaded on November 10th, 2013.
Skewered
Early one morning in the Viera Wetlands, I was lucky to see this anhinga. It came out of the water and clambered gracelessly onto a water pipe. It... more
by AnnaJo Vahle
Title
Skewered
Artist
AnnaJo Vahle
Medium
Painting - Photography
Description
Early one morning in the Viera Wetlands, I was lucky to see this anhinga. It came out of the water and clambered gracelessly onto a water pipe. It had caught a fish, as you can see. It took it about half an hour to unskewer the fish. It kept shaking it around and getting the fish to slide off it's beak bit by bit. After all his struggles, he finally was able to flip the fish into the air. He caught it again head first in his open beak. Swallowing it also took a bit of time and effort. You could see the shape of the fish as it slid down his neck. Because it was breeding season, his eyes are rimmed in brilliant teal colors. Most of the male Anhinga's body is a glossy black green with the wings, base of the wings, and tail being a glossy black blue. The tip of the tail has white feathers. The back of the head and the neck have elongated feathers that have been described as gray or light purple white. The upper back of the body and wins is spotted or streaked with white.
The anhinga is sometimes called snakebird, darter, American darter, or water turkey. It is a waterbird of the warmer parts of the Americas. The word anhinga comes from the Brazilian Tupi language and means devil bird or snake bird.
It is a cormorant-like bird with an average body length of 33 inches and a wingspan of 46 inches. It is a dark-plumaged piscivore with a very long neck. It often swims with only the neck above the water. When swimming in this style, the name Snakebird is apparent. With the colored neck appearing above the water, it looks like a snake ready to strike. They do not have external nares 9nostrils) and breathe soley through their epiglottis. It hunts by spearing fishes and other small prey using its sharp slender beak.
Uploaded
November 10th, 2013
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Comments (25)
Gary F Richards
Congratulations on your Honorable Mention tie in the contest… BIRDS WITH FISH! F/L
Gary F Richards
Such a spectacular composition, perfect timing, lighting, shading, colors and artwork! F/L …voted for this piece in the contest BIRDS WITH FISH
Debbie Portwood
What a fantastic capture and story!! Looks like a really large fish and I was thinking that the fish is almost as big as he is! :D I bet he did have a hard time swallowing it!! f/l!!! :D
HH Photography
That must have been a mouthful. Such a great capture of this Anhinga and it's breakfast. v/fv/tw
Latha Gokuldas Panicker
Love this beautiful capture of an Anhinga with its prey !! Love your details so much.....very informative,dear AnnaJo !!! (F/L)
Greta Corens
Sensational Anhinga! L/F. You are invited to post this incredible image and one other animal image of your choice in the new group: 'what's in it for you.' This group will feature animal images from Friday November 15 through Thursday November 21. Please let me know in this group's appropriate discussion thread if you want the selected homepage image to be posted in my Pinterest themed groups. Here is the link to the group: http://fineartamerica.com/groups/what-is-in-it-for-you-sensational-flowers-week.html (this week's group)
AnnaJo Vahle replied:
Thank you very much, Greta. Sorry that I didn't see your gracious comment until just now.
Greta Corens
Hello AnnaJo, You are invited to post this incredible image and one other animal image of your choice in the new group: what's in it for you. This group will feature animal images from Friday November 15 through Thursday November 21.
ABeautifulSky Photography
Awesome capture Anna! Hard to believe he can swallow that big fish whole--what a catch! f/v
AnnaJo Vahle replied:
I totally agree with you, Bill. It was amazing to see him slowly swallow it. It seemed as if it ought to strangle him. Thanks for your visit.
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