Greater Flamingos in the South of France

Greater Flamingos, Phoenicopterus roseus, at La Camargue in the Bouche de Rhone region of France. These wild flamingos were feeding in a lake at the Camargue Bird Park. However, they range throughout the Mediterannean and down through Africa. They can also be seen along the coast of Marseille, sifting for food in calm bays. These flamingos are a little whiter in color than the Carribean Flamingos typically seen in the zoos. However, when they fly, the underwing is a wonderful, bright pink.

Wild Orchids! Anacamptis pyramidalis (formerly Orchis pyramidalis)

Anacamptis pyramidalis blooming along the path at the Parc Ornithologique in La Camargue, France. This orchid has evolved to be pollianted by butterflies and moths in the family Lepidoptera (scaled winged butterflies and moths). It is native to the Mediteranean region. On the same day, I saw another 6 A. pyramidalis blooming in a sunny, grassy meadow just off the path (at approx. sea level). The prior day, I saw one blooming in a mountain meadow under pines at about 1000 feet. It appears to be a fairly adaptable and widespread orchid.

White Stork, Circonia ciconia

White Stork, Ciconia ciconia, with chicks, La Camargue, Bouche de Rhone, France. These are native to Europe and Africa, with much of the Mediteranean population Wintering in Africa. Eggs typically hatch in about a month and fledglings leave the nest within another two months. This is the same stork that is portrayed carrying in new children in North America (where it ironically it is not native). It is considered good luck to have a stork nest on your roof by many.