A is for Anhinga.
From the Audubon Field Guide: “A long-necked, long-tailed swimmer of southeastern swamps. Often seen perched on a snag above the water, with its wings half-spread to dry. Can vary its buoyancy in water, sometimes swimming with only head and neck above water (earning it the nickname of “Snakebird”). Often solitary when feeding, it roosts in groups and nests in colonies. Looks rather like a cormorant when perched, but not in flight, when the long tail may be spread wide as the Anhinga soars high on outstretched wings. Anhingas are silent at most times, but around nesting colonies they make various croaking and clicking sounds.”
Thank you Lisa. for this Bird Weekly challenge. Her original post is Bird Weekly Challenge #18: Birds that begin with the letter “A“
Wandering Dawgs 
What a beautiful bird! Very elegant feathers down the back. “Anhinga” would be a good Scrabble word, too. Thanks for your post, and enjoy your day!
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Betty, thank you. Yes, the feathers down it’s back are gorgeous. Love that you thought of it for a Scrabble word 😎
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Wonderful photos this week Beth. You got them all. Male, female and juvenile! Trifecta! 🙂
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Lisa, thanks for recognizing the difference in the three birds! I didn’t know they were different. I guess I should study about them to learn how to tell 😀
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It’s easy to tell. The black & white one is the male. Of course he is because he is the most brilliant in color. LOL! The female and juvenile often look the same with the white top and may or may not be distinguishable. I can only guess as I wasn’t there to look up their skirt….hehehe! 🙂 https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Anhinga/id
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Great pictures of an interesting bird. I had never heard of it, btw.
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Pit, glad you enjoyed the images. We’ve only seen it along Florida river banks and in the Everglades. They’d beautiful to see in the wild.
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I can imagine how beautiful it must look in the wild. 🙂
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What a beautiful bird! Those long feathers are incredible. Sadly, I have never heard of it before. You taught me something new today! Thank you!
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Nancy, I’m always glad when someone learns something new from a post. I’ve only seen a few of these beautiful birds and I’ve only seen them a couple of places in Florida.
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Very handsome. I’ve never seen one so thanks for sharing. 🙂
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Judy, thank you. I’ve only seen a few of them, all in Florida and all near or on water.
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They remind me of cormorants. Cool shots!
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Thank you! Glad you liked the images. Anhingas look so much like cormorants that sometimes it is hard for me to tell them apart from a distance.
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I’ve never seen an Anhinga with the pretty white markings before but after reading Lisa’s comment, I guess females like our pond better than the males. 😊
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Karen, I have to confess I didn’t know the difference between the males and females until Lisa pointed it out.
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