Greater Flamingo

In my last post I mentioned the Pamucak Wetlands and the Little Meander River. My taxi driver, Hassan, had taken me there to look for flamingos. I separated from Hassan a little bit as he walked along on the beach and I walked a little further inland, among the grass and scattered bushes. As I got close to the Little Meander River I saw a greater flamingo right on Pamucak Beach right next to the Aegean Sea, perhaps 50 yards from the mouth of the river. I could see Hassan and figured that he could also see the flamingo.

Greater flamingo

Hassan standing on a dead tree trunk at the beach. 

When we re-connected later Hassan was lamenting that we had not seen any flamingos and I had to break the news to him that I actually had seen one and thought he'd seen it as well. We walked back to the taxi, about 1.5 miles, and drove inland to some wetlands which are known as the Pamucak Wetlands. As we drove by I was shocked to see lots and lots of flamingos. We stopped by the side of the road and I took lots of photos. 

I've posted on the greater flamingo before, those we saw in Portugal in 2022. Flamingos are always a thrill to see: so large, ungainly and colorful. 

Illustration from Birds of the World.

Illustration from Birds of the World.

Range from Birds of the World. I'm surprised at how closely the range mirrors the seacoasts except in Africa and India.