We visited the Camargue wetlands, on the French Cote d'Azur along the Mediterranean, in mid-April. We were very lucky with the weather. Sunny and cool. It was an odd feeling to watch flocks of flamingos in France. If you ever go to France, make sure to check out the flamingos.
They spend most of their time walking around in the water, scooping up brine shrimp in their big bills. We'd seen wild flamingos before in Tanzania's Manyara National Park. But these looked very different.
Here's a map showing where the Camargue is in France. See inset.
Their wings are three colors - whitish pink, deep pink, and black. I read that flamingo colors come from the colors in the shrimp they constantly eat. Of course, that doesn't explain where the colors in the shrimp come from.
They flew back and forth over us in groups of various sizes.
Lots of times, it was just two of them.
Nice clear view with wings spread, showing their markings. They aren't the most graceful of flying creatures. It looks like their legs and neck sag a little bit each time they flap their wings.
I like this closeup of a larger group flying by.
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