SAFARI ISRAEL

Yesterday morning my husband took another photo trip, this time to the Safari Park in Ramat Gan. This wonderful park was opened in 1974 and in 1981 a zoo was established in the middle of the park. You start the excursion in your car, with the windows open and in a very relaxing way. You go slowly, taking your time, greeting the animals and enjoying them. Be aware of the ostrich, they are very naughty! Then you park at the zoo and walk around - I promise you, you will have a great day!

 Since Uri brought home so many beautiful photos I will share some today and over the next days - and I am starting with the gorgeous flamingos!

 Why do they stand on one leg?

The reason for this behavior is not fully understood. Some suggest that the flamingo, like some other animals, has the ability to have half of its body go into a state of sleep, and when one side is rested, the flamingo will swap legs and then let the other half sleep,^{[citation needed]} but this has not been proven. Recent research has indicated that standing on one leg may allow the birds to conserve more body heat, given that they spend a significant amount of time wading in cold water. Wikipedia

And why are they pink and red?

Young flamingos hatch with gray plumage, but adults range from light pink to bright red due to aqueous bacteria and beta carotene obtained from their food supply. A well-fed, healthy flamingo is more vibrantly colored and thus a more desirable mate.  Wikipedia

And what do they eat?

Flamingos filter-feed on brine shrimp and blue-green algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they eat, and are uniquely used upside-down. The filtering of food items is assisted by hairy structures called lamellae which line the mandibles, and the large rough-surfaced tongue. Wikipedia