Flamingo Golden Sunset
Greater Flamingo
What does one write about such a spectacular bird? For most people our experience with Flamingos is totally through plastic ones found in peoples yards. Obviously that is hardly a good representation. Having now been very lucky to see one myself I would have to say the yard one's fall a bit short.
Flamingos are large impressive birds, about the size of a Great Blue Heron. I was expecting them to be about like herons, being tall, slender, graceful, and a little clumsy at times. But after watching this one I would call them far more formidable. Their moves are measured, precise, strong. Their necks are extremely long and they take each step and reach out for food with slow methodical motion. Their beaks are immense and strong. Measured is simply the best word I find. And of course they are stunning with beautiful bright orangy pink color much like the Spoonbills. The black on their wings is a beautiful accent which is normally hidden. One can't miss that bright color as it leaps out from across a pond.
The question that arises is what is it doing here in south Texas? Are they native?
Well the write ups on them do not agree on this question. The internet searches all repeat each other and say they are not found here and are therefor either escaped or blown off course from hurricanes. This one has no tags so it isn't an escaped one. Could it be blown in? Well that could be. But my bird book says they are known to sometimes be here. Very rare but it happens often enough.
To be fair someone could easily step back and ask me the same question. What am I doing here in south Texas? For the Flamingo there is plenty of sun and food. Perhaps like this Flamingo I can say, my being here is rare but it happens.
As I watch it from day to day I wonder about it's life. Perhaps the two of us share more than is obvious. Are we two birds of a feather destined to cross course and hang out for a while and watch each other? Are we both blown off course? Or did we both just decide to have an adventure to travel to a far off place and explore.
It's safe to say we often don't know where our lives lead us. We have to have Faith it is all for a reason and is Guided. Somehow this Flamingo made it here.
In the mean time we'll explore and wander about to appreciate the beauty where ever we find ourselves. Today it's at a pond in south Texas coast where a beautiful Greater Flamingo and I meet and watch the golden sunset with the other birds.
