What about the flamingos

I love our local zoo. It is small, but it has grown over the years and it is as humane as any zoo could ever be. They do some breeding, some rescuing, and some borrowing from other zoos, but the people here care about the animals.

One of my favorites is the white alligator. I wasn't excited when he first arrived because it meant losing the seals we've had for over forty years. I don't know much about him except that he is a male and that he will continue to grow until he is too large to winter in our zoo, so he won't be here forever, but right now I really look forward to seeing him.

October blew into central Illinois and he was gone! Into an indoor pool where I can't see him, but he is more comfortable.

I understand that, but I miss him. I told friends about it and several asked, "Well, what about the flamingos? Are they still there?" They were.

I kept going to the zoo and pretty soon the porcupine was gone, and then the turtles, and tortoises,  and some of the outdoor monkeys. Always someone asked, "What about the flamingos?" They were still there.

Yesterday the flamingos were gone! I guess it is finally too cold for them to be outside and our zoo doesn't have many indoor viewing places except for reptiles and big cats.

I just hope wherever they are stored for the winter they have light and room and feel cozy instead of trapped.