F is for Flamingo
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Standing on the edge of a lake
that’s ablaze with pink from
thousands of Lesser Flamingos
is truly one of the most
vibrant things one might
ever hope to see. There is
constant movement and
noise as birds land
and take off again…squawk
loudly to one another…and
poke about eagerly
for food at water’s edge.
that’s ablaze with pink from
thousands of Lesser Flamingos
is truly one of the most
vibrant things one might
ever hope to see. There is
constant movement and
noise as birds land
and take off again…squawk
loudly to one another…and
poke about eagerly
for food at water’s edge.
These beautiful creatures reside principally in Africa’s Great Rift Valley. We saw large flocks both at Lake Nakuru in Kenya, and again at Tanzania’s Lake Manyara National Park.
.
.
Lesser Flamingos are
small and feed primarily
on Spirulina, a
blue-green algae that grows
only in highly alkaline lakes and synthesizes to give them
their pink colour. Shrimp
are a further source of
food for them.
The principal breeding ground they all return to is the caustic Lake Natron in northern Tanzania. As is the case with so many species, African flamingos are classified as near-threatened due to human encroachment that pollutes their lakes and robs them of nesting sites. Heavy metal poisoning from nearby factories is the suspected pollutant at some of these lakes.
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Although numerous at present, flamingo numbers will continue to decline if preventative measures are not put in place…
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For more A - Z posts, be sure to pop by Arlee Bird's site and see what others have done with the letter F...
.http://www.tossingitout.blogspot.com/2011/01/very-special-and-exciting
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I am also linking to Weekend Reflections hosted by James at Newton Area Photo. Do stop by for more fun reflections...
.
http://newtowndailyphoto.blogspot.com/
.http://www.tossingitout.blogspot.com/2011/01/very-special-and-exciting
.
I am also linking to Weekend Reflections hosted by James at Newton Area Photo. Do stop by for more fun reflections...
.
http://newtowndailyphoto.blogspot.com/
26 comments:
GLORIOUS photos. May these beautiful birds never fade away.
When flamingoes are kept in captivity, they have to be fed that special algae or they'll fade right out to white. It makes flamingoes expensive to keep. That's why they don't have them at West Edmonton Mall anymore. It's just as well. I doubt if the birds liked it there.
Fab pics, looks like you got fairly close, how lucky :o)
Flamingos are so beautiful! Must be unforgettable view to see them in wild!
I realy enjoyed looking at your photos of these beautiful birds. Great reflections too!
These are spectacular shots of the flamingos! We saw a smaller version of this at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (formerly known as the San Diego Wild Animal Park).
I hope the Tanzanians will wake up and stop the emissions of heavy metals into the waterways in order to save these beautiful creatures from extinction.
Lynette,
Such beautiful photographs and your commentary too.
Your blog is a real education and an inspiration, which is a pleasure to visit Lynette.
I got quite close to some pretty flamingos, at a zoo in the Loire Valley area of France. Really graceful birds!
All good wishes, Eileen :)
Lynette,
These are terrific!! Your flamingos are my favorite, but you have such a wealth to share for this alphabet. Can't wait to see more!
xo
lynn
I can remember as a child being just amazed at the Flamingos on my first visit to the zoo. I've never lost that wonder at their beauty.
Beautiful post Lynette. Blessings and a great weekend to you. Jo
Stunning photo's beautifully composed, I just love seeing them.
Terrific captures, Lynette! I do love the flamingos and what colorful, beautiful reflections! Marvelous post for the day! Hope you have a lovely weekend! Enjoy!
Sylvia
Flamingos are fascinating creatures, graceful and elegant. Your have captured them well and I particularly love the one "in flight." I was surprised to see flamingos in Patagonia as I thought that they were only warm-weather birds.
Bises,
Genie
What a fun thing to see! Nature really is so amazing..
Oh...fabulous photos! I love flamingos.
Awesome pictures... Those creatures are so elegant... I specially enjoy the second one : I just love the color you captured on it.
Lovely post, out of the world pictures...i was always fascinated by flamingos.
amazing!!!! stunning reflections!!!! wowww i am in awe at these beauties.
So very beautiful! I have never seen so many in one place!
Very interesting post. I was interested that their preferred habitat is a caustic lake!
Such elegant birds! I envy you for having been at places that you saw so many of them -incredibly beautiful!
Beautiful photos. I enjoyed looking at them and reading about the flamingoes.
Those flamingo reflections are breathtaking! Fantastic series of photos!
A little blogging goes a long way towards raising awareness of man's effect on flora and fauna. Your photos are an inspiration to all of us today!
I like them in flight. The only ones I have seen are in the Jurong Bird Park in Singapore, in captivity, no chance to fly.
so great pictures!
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