Pinky on parade: 5 years after Hurricane Michael, flamingo still posing at St. Marks

Mascot of St. Marks. Photographer's pet. American Flamingo extraordinaire. At roughly 5 feet tall, Pinky has staying power.

Flamingo aficionados have been flocking to catch this Florida phenom's brilliance for five years. Now Pinky has company. A "flamboyance" of the birds flew in just after Hurricane Idalia at the end of August and several have stuck around.

In honor of Pinky's arrival at the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge following the impact of devastating Category 5 Hurricane Michael on Oct. 10, 2018, we asked readers to send us their best shots. We've been saving them up to run on the anniversary of the bird's arrival. Visit the online gallery on tallahassee.com to see them all.

There's also a chance to support the refuge with the Friends of the St. Marks Refuge Walk for the Wild 5K Challenge with a self-guided walk on Oct. 8.

Many photographers weighed in with notes and detailed observations about Pinky and its behavior.

Karen Willes: "I chose to send these with Pinky accompanied by other birds instead of Pinky-only portraits.  Many times visitors seem “concerned” that Pinky is lonely or has no “friends” so I included these images with Pinky and friends.  The only bird that seems to upset Pinky is the Bald Eagle.  One would expect an Osprey might, too, but having photographed this bird since its arrival in 2018, it’s the Bald Eagle that bothers it. I even have a photo with it only a few feet from an alligator and and the gator just swam on by and Pinky didn’t move."

Ben Knowles of Marianna: "I had seen Pinky many times before, but this was the first time I had seen him close to the shore. Unfortunately, he slept most of the time I was there that day. I was one of three grown men with cameras, sitting at the edge of the water, waiting for a flamingo to wake up. Patience finally paid off. Pinky woke up to feed and preen for a few minutes. I got my shots!"

Maybe there's a reason the new crop of flamingos is sticking around. Get out and see them while you can.

For birders: Pinky has visitors? Flamingo family arrives at St. Mark's Wildlife Refuge

Walk for the Wild 5K Challenge

What: Friends of St Marks Wildlife Refuge promote awareness of the refuge and help raise funds for environmental education and outreach with self-guided 5K walk, run, bike, or paddle. Sign up for Roam with a Ranger, or participate virtually by getting out in nature wherever you can.

When & Where: Friends of St Marks Refuge Walk for the Wild 5K event being held Oct. 8-14 at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

Donate: When you donate and participate in this self-paced 5K event, 100% of your support will provide additional opportunities for youth in the local community to learn about and experience our unique environment. The Friends fund many environmental education and outreach opportunities for children and students. For details and to register visit support.americaswildliferefuges.org.

Details: Suggested routes will be marked in various locations off Lighthouse Road and other areas of the Refuge. We'll have two Roam with a Ranger guided walks available during the week. Space is limited. Reserve your space at stmarksrefuge.org. Or, you can participate virtually anywhere at any time that works for you. Look for Pinky the flamingo (and new friends), swing by the historic lighthouse, or complete your 5K on Oct. 14 and watch artists at work during the Plein Air festival.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: 5 years after Hurricane Michael, Pinky the flamingo still posing