by Cheryl Batavia

Show Me Wild Florida Flamingos!/ Going on Break

Photo of flamingos by Dong from Unsplash.

Show Me Wild Florida Flamingos!

Show me

flamingos…gone

one hundred fifty years…

Reappeared twenty years ago

in flaming glory in

the Everglades.

Show me!

Hunted

to extinction;

Florida pioneers

had hungry mouths to feed.

Flamingos disappeared,

except in zoos.

That’s sad!

There’s peace

in paradise.

The Everglades are home

to wild flamingos once again.

Where did they all come from?

From South America,

some say.

Show me

wild flamingos

returned to Florida

one hundred fifty years later

in their flaming glory.

Paradise found!

Show me!

Copyright© 2025 by Cheryl Batavia

Photo of a bottle-nosed dolphin from Unsplash

Road Trip to Everglades National Park

& the Florida Keys

My two daughters, Ellen and Katey, live in Dallas. We have missed our traditional yearly road trip for the last two years due to my illness. This year, we are taking the long-awaited trip to the southern part of Everglades National Park. I am hoping to see the wild flamingos that mysteriously settled there twenty years ago. Some people say they came from South America.

Flamingos had not lived in the wild in Florida for the previous one hundred and fifty years. I have dreamed of seeing these wild flamingos since I first heard about them . Maybe it will happen!

Before we leave, at the request of my younger daughter Katey, we will have an Easter egg hunt. I am filling plastic eggs with small chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, and some goofy little surprises. I will hide hide the eggs in the yard for Katey and Ellen to find. This is the first Easter I have spent with my daughters for many years, and I am looking forward to it!

Katey has also asked me to get a favorite ice cream that is not available in Texas. It is cherry ice cream with chococolate-covered cherry hearts mixed in. We will try to eat small portions!

My daughters are going kayaking. We are taking two boat tours, one in the Gulf of Mexico, and one in the back country.

Then, we are going to the Florida Keys to swim with the dolphins at Theater of the Sea. There are many other marine animals there, including sea turtles, seals, sharks, and rays.

We plan to eat some authentic Cuban food, locally grown tropical fruit, and some famous Key Lime pie. I will post photos and tell you all about our adventures when we return.

I will be on break from April 15-30, 2025.

Katey, Ellen, and Cheryl on our road trip several years ago.

Happy Easter! Happy Earth Day! Happy Days to all!

47 Comments

    2. Unknown's avatar

      Wild flamingos have made a stunning comeback in Florida after 150 years! Once hunted to near extinction, these vibrant birds now grace the Everglades again, possibly migrating from South America. A true paradise regained—flaming glory restored!

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you, Joanna! I am looking forward to seeing my daughters and having some good times with them. I will post some photos and tell you all about it when I return!

      Have a lovely weekend! 💕

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  6. Unknown's avatar

    A lovely poem on flamingos, which I like to see when they come during winter months. Happy you’re going to a fascinating trip with your daughters. All the best, Cheryl! Have a wonderful time! Happy Easter! Happy weekend 👍💐💗

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      I think it is about a 4-hour drive to our hotel and another hour to the south end of the park! My daughter is driving. I will post some photos of the trip, hopefully with some photos of flamingos!

      Have a lovely week ahead, Loku! 🦩

      Liked by 1 person

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  11. Unknown's avatar

    Oh I just love this poem and that you are sharing time with your girls! This sounds amazing and just what the Dr ordered and a long time coming! Enjoy every minute starting with the Easter egg hunt. So much love to you all on your trip! 💕🙏🙏💕

    Liked by 3 people

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Cindy, your kind words mean a lot to me! I know we will have a great time! 💕🌹💕 Glad you enjoyed the poem. I will post some photos when I return.

      Have a wonderrful week and a lovely Easter! 🐣🐥

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