The Australian Darter, or Snake-bird, is a large bird that swims with its body submerged and only its head and snakelike neck above water. After drenching itself with its underwater swim, it dries its feathers while perched on a stump or rock so that it can once again soar above the water. It’s a fascinating bird, much like a Cormorant but with a sharp, pointed bill with which it impales its food. We spent some time with this specimen on the edge of the Sydney Royal Botanic Garden recently while it dried its wing feathers. Its snakelike neck is quite apparent in this image, as it seems to have a corkscrew-like bend.