On a recent visit to the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands located in Viera Florida, I saw a very unusual event happen. It was an anhinga, who instead of flying to the top of a dead palm tree, climbed like a mammal. I am pretty sure the wings were wet. Like cormorants, anhinga will sit with wings spread wide to dry out their wings. I guess this particular bird wanted to be up high where there was a slight breeze.
I wished I had started my video but I started taking pictures, unsure of what was going to happen. This was totally unexpected.
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| Anhinga starting to climb a dead palm, using its beak for balance |
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| The wings spread out to prevent it from slipping down the palm |
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| A few more steps and it has almost got its beak at the top |
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| Another step and the wings out for balance |
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| Finally, it sticks it's beak into the top of the palm to pull itself up |
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| The feet are close now and it makes a final surge with a small thrust from its wings |
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| So close... |
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| Success! I am on top! |
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| Now let's work on drying those wings... |
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| Damn, the sun is setting, but I have time! |
The last two photos (with the car) were taken from a different vantage point after I saw it had spread its wings. I found this weird but it probably happens all the time. You have to have the patience to wait for the animals to do something interesting. Since I retired, I have the time.
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