Greater Flamingo
Once secure in the fold of family and friend
Curiosity cleverly called from afar
So in depth of darkness her wings did ascend
Over wonders of waves to a world never seen
Seeking pools of pleasure with which to blend
Through clouds of dawn deepest desire found
Gracious grasses gathered near water azure
Where an avian artistry of species abound
Yet seeking and searching the scene so dear
Neither matron nor mate waited around
Sustenance she sought for the hunger inside
Then she settled in and began sifting the silt
Thinking of moist morsels, once eyed
Through weeks of sun and mud she toiled for food
I’m lonely for the comforts of home, she cried
The emptiness within seemed too much to bear
No brother, no sister, no sweetheart came near
“I’ll go back,” she decided and took to the air
Through velvet void the Southern Cross as her guide
Pink feathers bedraggled; soul full of despair
Through rain-troubled clouds she flew until spying below
A blush of rose-dotted bushes bursting with life
“Will they love me?” She descended and honked a hello
The flamingo flock answered with a chorus of cheers
Received with love, home again, pink heart now aglow.
Got an Itch
Residents of my little piece of South Florida have had a real treat recently. A lone Greater Flamingo spent a couple of weeks in one of our local wetlands. The most common flamingo worldwide, their appearance in the United States is rare. Breeding in the Bahamas, West Indies, and Yucatan, they occasionally visit our southern shores. Social birds, they nest in colonies of up to 10,000, usually mate for life, and share parenting duties. Once the lone chick, or two, develops feathers, the fledglings join a group called a crèche so their parents and other members of the colony can watch over them. The colony provides a measure of safety. Flamingos completely submerge their heads in muddy water to feed so an aware neighbor who can sound an alarm when a predator approaches is a necessity. Peaceful, but skittish, flamingos will fly away if disturbed. They choose to migrate at night.
Shake it up Baby
Bad Feather Day
Portable Pillow
This is the first flamingo I have seen outside of a zoo or other attraction and my first Greater Flamingo. Judging from the number of birders at this wetland, the flamingo has real appeal. Unfortunately, I have not been able to get close enough to get good sharp photos to show you. This afternoon we revisited the wetland and the flamingo was gone. Perhaps it flew off to rejoin its colony. What do you think?
See ya!
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