Aqueous Aves 1, The Anhinga

Aqueous Aves 1, The Anhinga (Phase 2) by Pete Steenland, Tropic Seas Art ● Original 2020 February Just One painting of the pair... Mixed Media: Conti Crayon, Gesso and Acrylic on Torn Brown Packing Paper, Gel Soaked onto Birch Plywood, Framed 24” x 72” Limited Edition of 240 available Aqueous Aves 1, The Anhinga A series of paintings of birds (in Florida) which swim underwater to hunt fish (Not those which dive from flight and plunge for fish) The Anhinga prefers freshwater. Here’s a list of creatures within this painting: ● two River Cooter Turtles ● four Bluegill Sunfish ● seven very small “Water Boatmen” insects which virtually “row” underwater ● one Dragonfly Nymph (larva) ● one Giant Water Bug (a predator) ● two Moon Snails ● two Water Scavenger Beetles. Most insects breathe through the abdomen. The Water Scavenger Beetle carries a supply of air from the surface causing its underside to shine like a mirror when seen underwater; Otherwise, it’s a very streamlined, shiny black beetle. ● one Tadpole ● The two small fish are “Lake Chubsuckers” (I didn’t name them!) ● one Water Strider insect (very hard to see when not in motion) ● two Damselflies chasing after three mosquitoes Other birds that swim underwater for fish without diving from flight, include Cormorants, Loons, Penguins, Puffins and many species of diving ducks. -- Unlike most which have shorter wings and tails, the anhinga is very good in flight! Sometimes you may see an anhinga soaring way, way high in the sky gliding effortlessly in the thermals … high in the Florida sky. -- Pete Steenland