An anhinga struggles to swallow a fish that may be too big for it at Lake Eola Park in Orlando, Florida. Photo: Ronen Tivony

My photograph of an anhinga struggling to swallow a large fish at Lake Eola won 2nd place in the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) October 2025 Monthly Clip Contest for the Southeast Region in the Feature/Single category.

This photo was also published in The Guardian’s Best of This Week’s Wildlife Photographs from Around the World (October 17, 2025), one of the world’s most prestigious platforms for nature photography. The image also appeared in Saarbrücker Zeitung, a major German daily newspaper, demonstrating the universal appeal of compelling wildlife imagery. When a single frame can travel from Florida to Germany and reach millions of readers globally, it speaks to the power of authentic wildlife storytelling.

Fascinating Facts About Anhingas

The Snake Bird

The anhinga earned its nickname “snake bird” because it swims with only its head and neck above water—a silhouette that resembles a snake gliding through the water. This stealth approach allows it to sneak up on fish.

What really sets anhingas apart is their spear-like bill. Unlike cormorants with hooked beaks, anhingas have sharp, pointed bills designed to pierce fish from the side. When they strike, they bring the catch to the surface, throw it into the air, and swallow it head-first. My award-winning photograph captures exactly this moment—an anhinga wrestling with a large fish, visible effort and strategy required.

No Waterproof Feathers = Superior Diver

Unlike most waterfowl, anhingas lack waterproof feathers. This seems like a disadvantage, but it’s brilliant design. Waterlogged feathers eliminate buoyancy, allowing anhingas to dive deeper and stay submerged longer, up to one full minute hunting at depths of 60 feet.

The trade-off? After hunting, they must dry their feathers. This is why you frequently see anhingas perched on branches with wings fully outstretched, it’s necessary for flight. Wet feathers prevent takeoff, making them vulnerable to predators.

Where You’ll Find Them

Anhingas are year-round Florida residents, found in freshwater lakes, marshes, ponds, slow-moving rivers, cypress swamps, and mangrove lagoons. Their range extends from South Carolina west to Texas, Mexico, and throughout Central and South America.

Some populations migrate seasonally, moving south in fall and returning north in spring. Population status remains stable, though they’re sensitive to water pollution and wetland drainage.

Where to Photograph Anhingas in Florida

  • Lake Eola Park (Orlando) – Urban lake with reliable anhinga population and easy access (where my award photo was taken)

  • Orlando Wetlands Park – 1,650-acre property with cypress boardwalk

  • Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge – Coastal habitat

  • Wakodahatchee Wetlands (Delray Beach) – 50-acre constructed wetland with 3/4-mile elevated boardwalk offering eye-level nesting views and over 178 bird species, including anhingas

  • Everglades National Park –-Extensive wetland system

About the NPPA: Supporting Visual Journalism Excellence

Founded in 1949, the National Press Photographers Association has established itself as the leading organization supporting visual journalists and photojournalists in North America. The organization’s mission extends far beyond monthly contests, it encompasses advocacy for ethical journalism, promotion of high professional standards, and support for meaningful storytelling that connects people to the world around them.

About Ronen Tivony

Ronen Tivony is a wildlife photojournalist based in Florida, specializing in capturing authentic moments of wildlife behavior and the connection between animals and their environments. His work has been published in leading outlets including The Guardian, The New York Times, National Geographics, CNN, BBC and other international media.

When not on assignment, Ronen leads wildlife photography workshops and tours across Florida, sharing his expertise and passion for photographing the state’s remarkable birdlife and ecosystems. His goal is to inspire others to experience nature with respect, patience, and curiosity and to help preserve the wild places that make these encounters possible.