In almost any swamp or other sizable freshwater wetland in South Georgia, you're likely to come across an oddly shaped, long-necked bird squatting on a tree limb, its wings spread wide as it suns itself. It's an anhinga, also known as "water turkey" and, to some, "devil bird."

Anhingas normally are found on the coast and in the coastal-plain region of Georgia. However, they are showing up now in the Piedmont, including suburban Atlanta. Naturalists at the Newman Wetlands Center in Clayton County said anhingas have been spotted during all seasons of the year in swamps and reservoirs managed by the county's water authority. Several anhingas also have been seen in Henry County wetlands. No one knows for sure, though, why the birds seem to be spreading inland.

The anhinga is one of Georgia's most distinctive — and fascinating — water birds, sporting a long, snakelike neck, straight bill and large, fanlike tail resembling a turkey's. Its mostly black body is streaked with silvery-white stripes. (The word "anhinga" is derived from a Brazilian Tupi Indian name that translates as devil bird, or an evil spirit of the woods.)

The anhinga, a truly aquatic species, is unique in its swimming behavior. Unlike most aquatic birds, the anhinga's feathers are not waterproofed by oils like those of ducks. Lacking the protective coating, the feathers become easily waterlogged, causing the bird to become barely buoyant in water.

Thus, it swims with only its head and curvaceous neck above water, giving rise to its other nickname, "snakebird." After a swim, the bird must dry out its waterlogged feathers — which is why it's often seen sitting on a log or tree with its long wings unfolded. Swimming mostly underwater without waterproofing also results in considerable loss of body heat — another reason the bird must sit in the sun for long periods.

A habitat requirement for anhingas, in fact, is the availability of logs and branches near the water onto which they can climb to dry off and warm up. The anhinga's strong dependence on the sun for warmth is believed to limit its northern distribution.

In addition to its "wettable" plumage, the anhinga has dense bones, an adaptation that helps it achieve neutral buoyancy in water. It is a strong, powerful swimmer, having little trouble capturing small fish, which make up the bulk of its diet. With its long, pointed bill, it spears its prey with amazing speed and dexterity. The impaled prey is then brought to the surface, tossed into the air and swallowed head first.

Anhingas also are strong fliers, often soaring to great heights in the sky with wings held flat and neck out, presenting a distinct cross. Their nesting season begins in December and continues into August. They are social birds and nest colonially, often with long-legged wading birds like herons and egrets. Unlike the other water birds, however, anhingas have a strong aversion to salt water.

Flint River

Georgia's Flint River, free and wild and nearly unimpeded in its 200-mile course, runs through some of the state's most spectacular river scenery, including the stunning Sprewell Bluff, with its sheer cliffs, in Upson County. Last weekend, a group of us headed to the Flint in central Georgia for a day of canoeing, exploring and appreciating the river's natural beauty and history. Our group was part of the Wilderness Society's Keeping it Wild program, dedicated to promoting better stewardship of Georgia's natural lands.

Our first stop was at one of Georgia's 15 historic covered bridges — the Red Oak Creek Bridge, spanning a tributary of the Flint in Meriwether County. Built by former slave Horace King in the 1840s, it's still in use today, accommodating traffic along a country lane. "At 391 feet, including the approaches, this structure is the oldest and longest wooden covered bridge in Georgia," says a historical marker. Our leader, Dan White of the Rural Library Project, noted that although King built dozens of covered bridges in Georgia and Alabama, this is one of his few surviving structures.

Our next stop was at a more modern concrete-and-steel bridge spanning the Flint at a wide, scenic section called Flat Shoals, on the line between Meriwether and Pike counties. White explained that this beautiful river stretch is naturally backed up for several miles by a rock outcrop. President Franklin D. Roosevelt came here to relax on its banks and fish with a fishing pole.

Our final destination was Sprewell Bluff State Park, with its breathtaking gorge. Several of us splashed in the gently flowing water to cool off on a hot summer day.

In the sky

The moon will be last quarter on Friday, rising about midnight and setting around midday by the end of the week, says astronomer David Dundee of the Northwest Georgia Museum of Science. Venus is low in the west just after sunset. Mars and Saturn set in the southwest less than an hour after sunset. Jupiter rises out of the east at sunset.