The "Ballerinas In Pink" Story

It was an ordinary day.  A crowd of about 50 men, women and children were gathering at the Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservation Centre Flamingo Arena for the big event of the day.  The zoo, located at the edge of Nassau, the capital city of New Provident in the  Bahamas, is a four acre wonderland of plants, shrubs, trees and naturally animals.  The star of the zoo is the pink flamingo, the national bird of the Bahamas.  National Geographic has called the long-legged flamingo beauties the “Ballerinas in Pink” and today we will get a chance to see them strut their stuff.  The flamingos perform three times a day and are trained to move and strut following the orders of their keeper.  

The grand entrance

Just before we grabbed our seats, Carol and I, as well as our friends Jerry and Just Sue, got to mingle with the big birds on the pathways leading to the arena. I shot photo after photo of the beautiful birds as I tried to entice them with my camera strap.  Took a couple of swipes at the cord with their large beaks, but did not damage to it.  Well, it’s “Show Time” folks.  

The trainer giving commands

The gate at the other side of arena opens and the group of about a dozen flamingos strut into the arena in front of their trainer.  Males, the larger of the birds, females and youngsters are all represented in the marching group.  The trainer hustles them into the center area with clapping and then shuts the gate behind him. 

Poetry in motion!

They move in a clockwise direction around the edge of the arena.  Upon command, and with some clapping support of their trainer, they walk slowly until the trainer shouts “About Face.”  Just like that they turn around and head the other direction.  “Halt” is commanded and they stop and look around and pick at the grass.  

Carol is the one with the shades.

After a trip or two around the small arena they stop and the announcer tell the crowd that the trainer will pick a few patrons to participate with the birds.  He selects about a dozen or so patrons and places them around the arena facing the crowd.  My wife happens to be standing in the arena facing towards Jerry, Just Sue and myself.  The flamingos strut in front of them, stopping at times to examine their new additions.  Then the announcer asks the participants to give their best “flamingo pose.”  The crowd roars with laughter as the flamingos stop to watch the spectacle.  Then the trainer helps the participants back into the seating area as the flamingos continue to strut around. 

The Exit!

Another time or two around the arena and they leave with the encou- ragement of the trainer.  Applause greets the trainer as the last flamingo exits the arena and the show ends.  As we leave we get a chance to once again visit with the stars of the show as they wonder around the grounds outside the arena.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

A well-deserved drink!!