A Yellow-billed stork with pink legs and a yellow beak coming in for a landing in the wetlands of Tanzania.
Crash landing?
“Any landing you can walk away from is a good landing,” my flight instructor chuckled after we stopped bouncing down the runway.
I found myself hoping the same held true for this Yellow-billed stork (Mycteria ibis). Those spindly, bright-pink legs make for excellent waders in the muck, but they look a little suspect as serious landing gear!
I photographed these striking birds feeding in the lush wetlands of Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania. With their distinct waxy-yellow beaks and “painted” wings, they are a highlight for any birdwatcher navigating the African shallows.
The "Creation" Connection
The more you watch these storks navigate the marshes, the more you appreciate the incredible design behind those “suspect” legs. They are perfectly adapted for a life of patience and precision in the water.
Join Our Next Safari Excursion
Bible Land Explorer has several safari excursions (both public and private) to East Africa slated for the coming year. Whether you want to:
Scout for Cheetahs in the vast grasslands.
Experience "Glamping" in the Serengeti.
Chat about the wonders of creation under a starlit African sky.
...there is a seat waiting for you. Email us at BibleLandExplorer@gmail.com if you’re interested in joining our next journey into the wild!
Want to read more about the Yellow-billed stork? See our post A Serengeti Honeymoon: The Radiant Colors of the Yellow-billed Stork.