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Guard-of-the-Citadel — Close Encounter of the Flamingo Kind

Published: 2012-10-28 14:24:41 +0000 UTC; Views: 502; Favourites: 23; Downloads: 0
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Description I was pecked over by a flamingo today!!! The Zoo redid their bird exhibit this year. When they did this, they relocated the flamingos to a really nice location and you can now actually see them. As I leaned on the waist high wood fencing to watch them, they got all in a tisy!!!! I'm shooting all of the wing flapping and head bobbing going on...but they calm down and now they're all curious and rather bold, I might add. And many of them begin coming in my direction and getting quite close....which is fine with me as I'm just shooting away. I'm looking through the camera and I hear this big "HONK!" in my ear!!! Yup, one's right close by me! Eventually, as I'm grinning from ear to ear and laughing my head off, a few brave ones keep getting closer. By now some family has grouped around me too. One decides he has to check me out. So he begins with a taste of the camera, then my sleeve, then the flash, then back to the jacket and now up toward my shoulder (now I'm watching him because the ears and eyes are off limits no matter what!), back down to my sleeves and around my jacket....I mean, this goes on for several minutes. Sadly, not one of the group offered to take the camera and take a photo for me of this encounter and when I asked, they walked away. But by then, Mr. Flamingo is done with his inspection. Still lots of honking and head bobbing going on to let me know that I've got them all in a whirl by just being there. But man! was THAT fun!!!!!!!

Location: Indianapolis Zoo
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Comments: 32

TheeEmmyKay [2013-11-10 00:53:05 +0000 UTC]

Great shot! And title...

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Guard-of-the-Citadel In reply to TheeEmmyKay [2013-11-16 20:31:30 +0000 UTC]

Ah, thank you!!!  I always have a challenge coming up with a clever title!

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TheeEmmyKay In reply to Guard-of-the-Citadel [2013-11-16 22:23:13 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome!

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quaddie [2012-11-04 20:46:00 +0000 UTC]

What a fun experience Cyn ,good job it wasnt a Tiger eh ..

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Guard-of-the-Citadel In reply to quaddie [2012-11-05 05:14:05 +0000 UTC]

Hahaha! Well, I definitely don't want a tiger in my ear but I would jump at the chance to be in with tigers! It WAS fun though.....

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quaddie In reply to Guard-of-the-Citadel [2012-11-06 22:03:58 +0000 UTC]

There is in with Tigers and there is IN with Tigers...one is much better than the other .

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Guard-of-the-Citadel In reply to quaddie [2012-11-11 17:10:37 +0000 UTC]

Just like there is in with wolves and there is IN with wolves.

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quaddie In reply to Guard-of-the-Citadel [2012-11-11 21:18:17 +0000 UTC]

Exactly like that Cyn ..

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Wolfyone [2012-11-02 04:46:01 +0000 UTC]

Sounds like you had an amazing day! Love the color of this bird.

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Guard-of-the-Citadel In reply to Wolfyone [2012-11-03 14:32:04 +0000 UTC]

It was an experience!! Sometimes you just never know where the next exciting adventure will come from! Their color and texture is much more rich than I expected it to be. Of course, I've never seen them this close before too! It's much nicer having this exhibit were it can really be viewed well now. Before they were on the far side of a lake and you couldn't see any of these kinds of details.

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Wolfyone In reply to Guard-of-the-Citadel [2012-11-03 17:48:04 +0000 UTC]

Whenever you get to interact with an individual animal it is amazing. I too have only ever seen them from a distance. It was nice getting to see a close up of one. They really are quite spectacular looking.

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Guard-of-the-Citadel In reply to Wolfyone [2012-11-04 18:52:28 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much! Your comment is a soothing balm to my soul, as this photo was rejected by a very popular group here on DA. I asked for the reason why, which I just received. I cannot say that I agree with the view expressed, but it is their group....I just know now not to ever attempt to submit to this group if this photo is below their standards. Perhaps I should enable the critique button and ask for folks views on it....but now I'm afraid...

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Wolfyone In reply to Guard-of-the-Citadel [2012-11-04 21:25:53 +0000 UTC]

I find that some groups on here seem to be comprised of people who must feel very little power in their personal lives, because they are heavy handed with exercising it in their forums. I have been annoyed with it myself. Don't take it personally. You photography is good.

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Guard-of-the-Citadel In reply to Wolfyone [2012-11-05 05:11:33 +0000 UTC]

Well spoken! I was surprised because the photo is of the quality that I see put forth by this group every week for voting. So you must be right....

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Wolfyone In reply to Guard-of-the-Citadel [2012-11-06 23:06:09 +0000 UTC]

I'm sure. The problem definitely is not with your photo.

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CoolislandSong [2012-11-01 16:45:07 +0000 UTC]

awesome. I can even see the filaments in his beak!

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Guard-of-the-Citadel In reply to CoolislandSong [2012-11-02 03:28:52 +0000 UTC]

I loved his fuzzy neck myself....it was a totally awesome experience...besides being so cotton-pickin' funny.....

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Loulou13 [2012-10-31 19:15:26 +0000 UTC]

I would have taken your picture Cindy! And if you want to bring flamingo treats fill your pockets with shrimp. They love that and you would be your forever friends.

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Guard-of-the-Citadel In reply to Loulou13 [2012-11-01 04:18:53 +0000 UTC]

Hey, I didn't know that! Thanks for the tip! The zoo may not appreciate that, but I sure do! I was a fun experience, Lou!

By the way, sorry I've not answered your last email...I will!

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Loulou13 In reply to Guard-of-the-Citadel [2012-11-01 13:15:19 +0000 UTC]

I learned from the zoo keepers at the Toronto Zoo that eating shrimp is where they get their pink colour from.
As for the email. That's ok, I'm a patient person.

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Guard-of-the-Citadel In reply to Loulou13 [2012-11-02 03:29:57 +0000 UTC]

Well, now isn't that interesting!!!!

I'm so glad you are patient! I will explain....

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Simbas-pal [2012-10-30 10:20:49 +0000 UTC]

Wow! That's some photo, Cindy! Great focus, beautiful color, just terrific! State Fair next year?

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Guard-of-the-Citadel In reply to Simbas-pal [2012-10-31 03:32:30 +0000 UTC]

Perhaps!

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PatriciaRodelaArtist [2012-10-29 15:33:58 +0000 UTC]

Great shot Cindy! It sounds as if the flamings were ready to adopt you. I can just hear you laughing. If I had been there I would have taken your picture with your new adopted family.

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Guard-of-the-Citadel In reply to PatriciaRodelaArtist [2012-10-29 22:04:47 +0000 UTC]

If only you could have been....

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PatriciaRodelaArtist In reply to Guard-of-the-Citadel [2012-10-30 15:29:55 +0000 UTC]

I know!

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DeeOtter [2012-10-28 15:30:53 +0000 UTC]

"I spy a tasty photographer!"

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Guard-of-the-Citadel In reply to DeeOtter [2012-10-28 22:21:25 +0000 UTC]

Indeed he did!!!! I so wish you could have been right beside me! It was so much fun! The keeper in the loriket aviary told me that he suspects that visitors have been feeding them so now they are more willing to come over to the fence. That makes sense. I guess he wanted to check my pockets for treats! How silly of me not to know to bring flamingo treats to the zoo with me!!

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DeeOtter In reply to Guard-of-the-Citadel [2012-10-28 23:19:35 +0000 UTC]

That would be pretty neat!
Hopefully they won't get sick from the zoo visitor food. I found a penny in a sea otter exhibit x.x That can't be good for them.

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Guard-of-the-Citadel In reply to DeeOtter [2012-10-29 22:04:10 +0000 UTC]

Yes, that can't be good for them. Human food isn't designed for their good. Pennies in the sea otter exhibit? How silly!!! Poor guys, with their dexterity, could have easily ingested that!

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DeeOtter In reply to Guard-of-the-Citadel [2012-10-29 22:11:18 +0000 UTC]

Yeah. Unless they're smart enough not to. Eddie just had it on his belly. I think he eventually dropped it. The hornbills found a pair of sunglasses in their exhibit. Lost items in that exhibit and zebras is common because you're looking down at the exhibit at one point and stuff tends to fall in.

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Guard-of-the-Citadel In reply to DeeOtter [2012-11-02 03:30:36 +0000 UTC]

I suppose that can happen anywhere....

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