The Wake
by Norman Johnson
Title
The Wake
Artist
Norman Johnson
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
An anhinga or snake bird swimming near the observation tower at Lettuce Lake Park in Tampa, Florida. The anhinga or American darter�(anhinga anhinga) can be found throughout the Americas from the southeastern United States to Argentina. Because it lacks the oils and types of feathers used to keep birds warm, they are restricted to the warmer climes. It is also called the black darter, water turkey, or snakebird. For other names refer to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology site.
There are three other darters found around the world: the African darter, the Australian or Australasian darter, and the Indian or Oriental darter.
The word anhinga comes from the Brazilian Tupi language, which means devil bird, an evil spirit of the woods.�The anhingas or darters, and cormorants are all part of the order suliformes. They were once part of the same family but have been separated into two families, anhingidae and phalacrocoracidae respectively.
Anhingas are large waterbirds 29" to 37" in length with a wingspan of up to 43". They have slender bodies, thin necks,�thin pointed beaks, �and a long fan-like tail. Their feet are webbed. The males are black with a green iridescence, silvery white wing patches, and white spots on its wings and back. Females have a pale brown or beige neck and breast and�juveniles are brownish.
Uploaded
January 22nd, 2015
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Comments (26)
Marvin Blaine
What an Amazing piece of art you have here Norman!!! Love this in every way possible!!! Perfect Capture! L/F.
Hanne Lore Koehler
Fantastic action capture of this magnificent bird, Norman! Spectacular composition! L/F
Laura Ragland
Like both versions but prefer this because the orange adds a little more interest.
Norman Johnson replied:
Thank you Laura. I'm torn between the two. I like each or different reasons but I know what you mean.