captxmas Loc: San Francisco Bay Area

For the past 10 years or so I have heard the tale of a single flamingo who inhabits the east side of San Francisco Bay. I was able to verify its existence via an old newspaper article and thus a " bucket list" photography opportunity was created. The bird was originally thought to have been an escapee from the original Marine World/Africa USA park which was moved from Belmont to Vallejo, CA. All the animals were barged up the bay and some animals (peacocks were missing upon arrival. It's been to many years for that so the second belief is that an exotic animal collector lost his flamingo and has never looked/claimed responsibility. There have been several attempts to locate and trap the animal but all attempts by local zoos and naturalists have failed over the past 7-8 years.

So.... I mounted my trusty steed (EBIKE) and spent a number of trips into the Baylands and old salt ponds in search of the mythical beast. I finally found it this weekend! A site only a few have shared! A true urban safari.....

All shots taken with Sigma 60-600, handheld and very much cropped. Some image enhancement with Lightroom.

My Ebike gets me almost anywhere and provides exercise too!

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These are some of the old Leslie Salt ponds where harvesting salt took place. Now part of "Don Edwards" National sanctuary.



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This short was a twofer. Wish I had them both in focus.

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Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Very nice series. That landscape shot is really neat!

captxmas Loc: San Francisco Bay Area

Thank you...I'm sure you have plenty of flamingos around you.

JoAnneK01 Loc: Lahaina, Hawaii

A beautiful series. Love your dissertation on the flamingo. Your photos definitely tell a nice story. The sanctuary photo is beautiful. Are those California Poppies in the foreground? Mahalo for sharing.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

A truly nice set. I really like the last image.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Well done (interesting narrative)!

sakitson Loc: Goleta, CA

Good story and fine photos. What a fun expedition you set for yourself!

vonzip Loc: cape cod

Straighten out that horizon on the landscape image and you have a wall hanger.

Doddy Loc: Barnard Castle-England

Nice set.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

agillot

there is one also at san diego mission bay [ that was a couple of years ago ]

blacks2 Loc: SF. Bay area

Excellent.

jdub82 Loc: Northern California

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Beautifully done

captxmas Loc: San Francisco Bay Area

The poppies are in bloom all over the state in the last two weeks. Spring has sprung. Beautiful although I might trade for some aloha spirit, Honu and whale song in the water. Mahalo for your comments.