pink

So Much On My Mind It’s A Wonder My Neck Doesn’t Snap.

July 16, 2020 — 9 Comments

F/6.3, 1/50, ISO 200.

American Flamingo 

What did one hat say to the other?

You stay here, I’ll go on a head.

Interesting Fact: The American flamingo has adapted to its shallow-water environment in several ways. It has evolved long legs and large webbed feet to wade and stir up the bottom of the water bed to bring up their food source to then be retrieved. To feed, it has evolved a specialized beak which is hooked downward and features marginal lamellae on the upper mandible, and inner and outer lamellae on both the upper and lower mandibles. These are adapted for filtering out differently sized food from water.[16] Depending on the food source in their area, diets depend on the exact morphology of their beaks on what can and cannot be strained out of them. It submerges its head under water to retrieve its food, and may have its head under water for long times, which requires it to hold its breath. Factors which affect the habitat choice of American flamingos are environmental temperatures, water depth, food source, accessibility of an area, and the presence of vegetation beds in feeding areas. If available food items do not meet the needs of the flamingos or the temperature is not appropriate to their requirements, they move to a better feeding or more temperate area. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_flamingo )

I Don’t Have A Drinking Problem, I Drink, I Get Drunk, I Pass Out, No Problem!

April 4, 2020 — 15 Comments

F/7.1, 1/200, ISO 320.

American Flamingo 

Why did the baseball player bring a rope to the game?

He wanted to tie the score

Interesting Fact: American flamingos are saltwater birds that ingest food with a high salt content and mostly drink salt water (with an osmolarity of usually 1000), hyperosmotic to the bodies cells . Also, though not commonly, they can drink fresh water at near-boiling temperatures from geysers. From their high-salt diet, they would lose more water and have a greater salt uptake. One way in which they osmoregulate is through the use of a salt gland, which is found in their beaks.[17] This salt gland helps excrete excess salt from the body through the nasal openings in the flamingo’s beaks. When these birds consume salt, the osmolarity increases in the blood plasma through the gut. This causes water to move out of the cells, increasing extracellular fluids. Both these changes, in turn, activate the salt glands of the bird,[18] but before any activity occurs in the salt glands, the kidney has to reabsorb the ingested sodium from the small intestine. As seen in other saltwater birds, the fluid that is excreted has been seen to have an osmolarity greater than that of the salt water, but this varies with salt consumption and body size. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_flamingo )

NO Double Dipping!

August 19, 2019 — 9 Comments

F/9.0, 1/320, ISO 200.

American Flamingos

What’s the difference between a piano, tuna fish, and a tub of glue?

You can tune a piano but you can’t piano a tuna.

What about the tub of glue?

I knew you’d get stuck on that.

Interesting Fact: Like other flamingo species, American flamingos will migrate short distances to ensure that they get enough food or because their current habitat has been disturbed in some way. One habitat disturbance that has been observed to cause flamingos to leave their feeding grounds is elevated water levels.  ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_flamingo )

 

When I think about you, I touch myself.

July 18, 2019 — 8 Comments

F/6.3, 1/80, ISO 200.

American Flamingo 

What do whales take to stay healthy?

Vitamin Sea

Interesting Fact: A group of flamingos has many collective nouns, including a “colony”, “flamboyance”, “flurry”, “regiment”, and “stand” of flamingos. ( http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/940/overview/American_Flamingo.aspx )

Be A Flamingo In A Flock Of Pigeons!

June 25, 2019 — 12 Comments

F/7.1, 1/160, ISO 320.

American Flamingo

Why don’t basketball players go away for summer vacation?

They’re afraid they might get called for traveling

Interesting Fact: The American Flamingo is the most widespread species of the flamingo family. It is the state bird of Gujarat, India. ( http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/940/overview/American_Flamingo.aspx )

Let’s Get Little Bit Closer

August 4, 2016 — 10 Comments

flower

F/5.6, 1/500, ISO 200.

Why can’t you iron four-leaf clover?

Because you shouldn’t press your luck!!

Interesting Fact: Many flowers have important symbolic meanings in Western culture.[28] The practice of assigning meanings to flowers is known as floriography. Some of the more common examples include:

  • Red roses are given as a symbol of love, beauty, and passion.[29]
  • Poppies are a symbol of consolation in time of death. In the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia and Canada, red poppies are worn to commemorate soldiers who have died in times of war.
  • Irises/Lily are used in burials as a symbol referring to “resurrection/life”. It is also associated with stars (sun) and its petals blooming/shining.
  • Daisies are a symbol of innocence.

( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flower#Symbolism )

 

Every Flower Must Grow Through Dirt.

July 30, 2015 — 16 Comments

Light Pink Gladiolas

F/14.0, 1/60, ISO 160.

Light Pink Gladiolus

Day 211 / 365

What did the old flower say to the younger flower?

What’s up, bud?

Interesting Fact: The British and Mediterranean gladiolus plants were often used for medicinal purposes. For example, the English used the plant’s corms (stem base) as a bandage and to extract thorns or splinters. The corms were also powdered and mixed with goat’s milk to soothe symptoms of colic. Parts of the gladiolus, however, are poisonous if eaten, and certain species cause irritation or allergic reaction when handled. Today we primarily use the gladiolus as a decorative flower in gardens and bouquets. ( http://www.nanzandkraft.com/blog/5-fun-facts-gladiolus-augusts-official-flower/ )

Pink Is In!

May 11, 2015 — 8 Comments

American Flamingo

F/ 5.0. 1/500, ISO 900.

American Flamingo

Day 131 /365

American Flamingo1

Why does a flamingo stand on one leg?
Because if he lifted that leg off the ground he would fall down!

Interesting Fact: In ancient Rome, flamingo tongues were regarded as a delicacy. As recently as 30 years ago, flamingos and their eggs were eaten by people in parts of southern Europe and the Caribbean. ( http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/940/overview/American_Flamingo.aspx )

April Showers Bring May Flowers, But In The Month Of May I Bring The Flowers Home…

May 4, 2015 — 7 Comments

peonies

F/1.8, 1/60, ISO 160.

Day 124 / 365

People used to believe that peonies protected them from demons.  And what protects the demons from peonies?     🙂

Interesting Fact: Peonies are available in every color but blue. ( http://www.birdsandblooms.com/blog/flower-garden-little-known-facts-peonies/ )

Happy International Women’s Day!

March 8, 2015 — 14 Comments

Pink flowers

F/4.8, 1/60, ISO 100.

Gerbera

Day 67 / 365

All women deserve flowers on this day.

Interesting Fact:   International Women’s Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. In some places like China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria, International Women’s Day is a national holiday. ( http://www.internationalwomensday.com/ )