01FLAMINGOS

You can’t catch me
Flamingos elude animal handlers attempting to herd them into nets at Hialeah Park near Miami to be relocated.

RON THOMPSON: The Hialeah Race Track flamingos are the unofficial symbol of South Florida. Growing up here, I’ve known about the birds since long before Miami Vice, so when I was invited to join a group of animal handlers from Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park on a journey to capture and relocate forty birds from the racetrack, I jumped at the chance. The plan was to rush them with large nets at feeding time. The birds had other ideas and took wing and just circled high above the track, mocking the group of humans below. The handlers finally settled on gathering up the flightless chicks instead. In this photo I just like the clean, elegant lines the birds convey in contrast to their startling pink plumage.