Behind the Photo Contest — Edition #6

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We were in Peru, on a family trip by the beach, and I heard my mother-in-law was going to get up (really) early the following morning, to catch pink flamingos on the beach.

Over the years, I’ve taken many pictures of birds, in different parts of the world. But, we were on vacation, I was feeling lazy and ended up sleeping in...

When I eventually did show up, nearly noon, I did not expect this surreal vision.

I took out my iPhone (6, I believe) and tip-toed towards the pink flamingos, flocking at the beach in Paracas, Peru.

I gasped at my good fortune to see these dream creatures surrounded by seagulls, resting on wooden posts.

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There was nearly a dozen of these fantastic pink works of living art, doing a funny shuffle in the water with their slender legs as they bobbed their heads in and out of the water.

So long as I did not move too fast, they let me get close enough to take these pictures.

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I was grateful to spend some time with them in their element and I’m sure I took countless photos. But, this was the one I was after, not just for symmetry, the reflections of the water, but because it captured something of the richness of the scene...

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To honor this marvelous occasion, below, is a poem I wrote in praise of the beach, winged things and the near mystical experience of communing with nature:

Oceanside Epiphany

Stepping outside, it’s not precisely sun we’re after
or the illusion of perfect stillness, but something else
that has to do with the distant riot of children at play
staccato squeals accompanied by the cries of gulls

Or the gentler song of slighter, winged creatures
circling above, frolicking, or pecking at the earth
while the patter of water offers its liquid paean,
and winds tease trees till they shudder with pleasure

This is the quiet pageant we longed to be part of
setting aside our book or papers to vaguely register
ourselves, easing into the pattern, our breath deepening
and our heart slow beating in unison with other things.

—Yahia Lababidi

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To enter this contest, please, read the rules, here

With much appreciation to @appreciator for sponsoring this contest

& to the jury: @nelyp and @johan.norberg