A slender bird neck, not a stick.

I watched an Anhinga in the freshwater pond at Indian Riverside Park in Jensen Beach.

It slid below the surface and reappeared a short distance away.

Sort of camouflaged among the vegetation.

A flock of pigeons arrived for a quick drink and a splash.

Pretty green shine on this one’s neck.

I have been noticing cormorants in the pond recently, formerly not a typical visitor.

A sudden struggle.

Fighting over a fish.

Winner takes all.

On the prowl.

Nearby an Anhinga surfaces with a fresh catch.

Walks out of the water with the cormorant closing in behind.

Anhinga is a spearfisherbird.

Yikes.

Can the Anhinga swallow this fish?

Heads up, the thief is closing in.

Anhinga and Double-crested Cormorant face off.

Not in focus, but this was the dramatic moment I had to include!

Winner!

Gulp.

Down the hatch.

And then they just stood next to each other, and pretty close to me. What a strange wildlife moment, close to home.

Nice opportunity to compare two birds that are often confused for each other.

A short time later, two cormorants on an old nest box.