OK, I broke my promise not to post another zoo photo. But today's photos were garbage and I hated to not use this one. I have a very irrational interest in flamingos. They're simultaneously beautiful and goofy.
Don't know why but they made me laugh, looks like they are standing to attention awaiting orders to move out, Stunning colours, focus and DOF, another great image from the zoo Ron;)
Nicely done Ron. I thought (in my ignorance) that flamingos were all pink. These terracotta ones are beauties. Group of three, facing the same way, blurred background... what could be better?
A wonderful capture and love how all three of them are extending their necks! I also thought that flamingos were only pink! You learn something new everyday (:
@pjtphoto@lilminimonka Your comments got me wondering about the color, because I recalled that other groups of flamingos at the SD zoo (there are at least three) were indeed more pink. So I looked this up and found this:
"Flamingos are pink or orange or white depending on what they eat. Flamingos eat algae and crustaceans that contain pigments called carotenoids. For the most part, these pigments are found in the brine shrimp and blue-green algae that the birds eat."
The zoo has some info that states that their flamingos are indeed fed carotenoids - the same substance that makes carrots (and people who eat a lot of carrots) orange. I also learned that there is a subspecies called the Caribbean Flamingo that has more of an orangish tint. Huh, you learn things all the time!
I hope these three won't mind that I laughed out loud upon seeing them. I mean, how could I not, with them looking like this — all facing the same way, their heads held high... oh wait, that's how flamingoes always hold their heads. What other option do they have? Glad you shared this one.
@pcoulson You described in perfectly, Peter! I was trying to figure out what the pose reminded me of - and you nailed it. They are quite entertaining just to sit and watch.
Ron so many good things here. The grouping, the pose and the composition when combined make for a clever and memorable image. Another fav - you are on a roll.
@ourrube Thanks Ruby. They were even more fun to watch - they kept swinging their heads in unison from side to side. Sort of a flamingo version of the Temptations. @simta Смешные! «Перекличка» является отличным подпись! @grahambudd Thanks for the positive comments - and the fav, Graham!
Talk about "goofy'! The longer I look at this photo, the more I can imagine three thin women wearing long gloves with those faces painted on their hands! The photo is spectacular...my interpretation is probably caused by sleep deprivation!
@Weezilou It appears I'm the cause of your sleep deprivation. :-O Wow, you really were going through all of my shots! Thanks for all of the favs - I truly appreciate that. :-)
May 25th, 2014
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"Flamingos are pink or orange or white depending on what they eat. Flamingos eat algae and crustaceans that contain pigments called carotenoids. For the most part, these pigments are found in the brine shrimp and blue-green algae that the birds eat."
The zoo has some info that states that their flamingos are indeed fed carotenoids - the same substance that makes carrots (and people who eat a lot of carrots) orange. I also learned that there is a subspecies called the Caribbean Flamingo that has more of an orangish tint. Huh, you learn things all the time!
@simta Смешные! «Перекличка» является отличным подпись!
@grahambudd Thanks for the positive comments - and the fav, Graham!