Flocks of showy flamingos wade in the tannic acid estuaries and salt lakes found on throughout the archipelago. Now that their plumage is no longer targeted for ladies’ hats, the birds spend their days catching the pink brine shrimp that give them their signature rosy color.
Why flamingos stand on one leg isn’t clearly understood – perhaps to conserve energy and keep one foot dry. But they can do this for hours and their balance is remarkable. Reminds me of girl in my yoga class.
NOTE: As islands go, the Galapagos are fairly young. Marked by active volcanoes, black lava flows, old and recent, cover vast sections of the land. Appropriately, my art is done on black paper lending an air of igneous drama to my subject matter.