Word, Image, Song: Flamingo
Le Jardin des Plantes in Paris, France
There’s a moment each winter when I need to watch a television show set in a warmer clime than mine. This year, I happened upon Panda, a cozy mystery series starring Julien Doré of singer songwriter fame, and Ophélia Kolb (whom I recognized from the sensational series, Call My Agent, available to stream on Netflix). Together, they form an unlikely partnership—she’s the cynical one, he’s the woo-woo one—and they solve crimes far, far away from rainy Paris and the snowy Midwest.
Where in the francophone world does the sun shine so consistently as to allow for flip-flops, smoothies, and sleeping in a hammock? I pondered this question throughout the first episode which is silly, yet intriguing. And then I saw the flamingos, a great flamboyance of them (best collective noun ever), and I knew Panda and Lola were in the Camargue.
This unique region of France is the Provence no one talks about, and yes, it is absolutely on my travel wishlist. You and I can both read more about it in this wonderful article from National Geographic: Take a road trip through this wild, beautiful French delta. Near the city of Arles, where the Rhône river meets the Mediterranean, is a landscape that’s home to 400 species of birds, including those lovely flamingos.
What is it about the word flamingo that makes it naturally playful? Perhaps it’s the three syllables, each with a different vowel sound: fla - min - go. How musical! Or is it their flirty pink feathers? A rosy hue reminiscent of prom dresses and cotton candy?! Or, perhaps, it is how they have crept into the popular imagination to symbolize silliness and beachy bliss?
A flamingo is a joy-filled delight. In real life, I have observed a flamboyance of these special birds at the zoo. Mesmerizing! They are elegant, almost regal. Their sinuous shaped bodies like ballerinas, poised for one legged pliés. Silly, yet serious. How can a bird be such an enigma?
SONG
I Only Have Eyes for You Music and lyrics by The Flamingos ©1959.
I’m awaiting the animated short of a pair of flamingos who fall in love while listening to this song.
FLOURISH
Welcome the whimsical nature of the flamingo into your creative practice this week. What are those “sha-ba-dub” words in this RnB classic? How do nonsense words add meaning and/or texture to our rhythms of speech? Spend some time collecting sounds, then doodle, scat, or scribble.