Flamingos in Wisconsin? Many of the birds picked up by Hurricane Idalia remain in US

Ronald Kotinsky, a Florida landscape and wildlife photographer and owner of rkotinsky.com, snapped these images of flamingos at Fort De Soto State Park in Florida last week after more than 150 flamingos were swept across the eastern U.S. by Hurricane Idalia.

While taking photos of the flamingos found at Fort De Soto Park in Florida on Sunday, Ronald Kotinsky, a Florida-based photographer who owns rkotinsky.com, snapped this image of other photographers gathered to take photos of the iconic, pink wading birds.

Bird watcher George Keller was scanning a lake in Ohio for birds on Friday, when he was shocked to see two flamingoes. The iconic birds are among more than 100 reported across the eastern U.S., in what bird experts believe to be a fallout from Hurricane Idalia.

Bird watcher George Keller was scanning a lake in Ohio for birds on Friday, when he was shocked to see two flamingoes. The iconic birds are among more than 100 reported across the eastern U.S., in what bird experts believe to be a fallout from Hurricane Idalia.

Jacob Roalef with Birding Ecotours was shocked to hear two flamingos were spotted in Caesars Creek State Park, 20 minutes away from his home. Roalef said he rushed over and snapped this photo of the first flamingos to be reported in the state.

Dexter Patterson, a photography instructor at University of Wisconsin-Madison, was among a group of birders who captured photos of five flamingos seen in Lake Michigan in Port Washington, Wisconsin on Sept. 22, 2023. The flamingos are likely part of a huge flock carried to the U.S. with Hurricane Idalia.

Dexter Patterson, a photography instructor at University of Wisconsin-Madison, was among a group of birders who captured photos of five flamingos seen in Lake Michigan in Port Washington, Wisconsin on Sept. 22, 2023. The flamingos are likely part of a huge flock carried to the U.S. with Hurricane Idalia.

Dexter Patterson, a photography instructor at University of Wisconsin-Madison, was among a group of birders who captured photos of five flamingos seen in Lake Michigan in Port Washington, Wisconsin on Sept. 22, 2023. The flamingos are likely part of a huge flock carried to the U.S. with Hurricane Idalia.

Dexter Patterson, a photography instructor at University of Wisconsin-Madison, was among a group of birders who captured photos of five flamingos seen in Lake Michigan in Port Washington, Wisconsin on Sept. 22, 2023. The flamingos are likely part of a huge flock carried to the U.S. with Hurricane Idalia.

People photograph a group of flamingos seen in Lake Michigan at Port Washington's South Beach on Friday. In all, five American flamingos, according to the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, were gather just off the shore. It appears that three are adults and two are juveniles.

A group of flamingos are seen in Lake Michigan at Port Washington's South Beach on Friday. In all, five American flamingos, according to the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, were gather just off the shore. It appears that three are adults and two are juveniles.

An American flamingo has been spotted in the Ohio River along the Indiana-Kentucky border. This bird is believed to be displaced from Mexico by Hurricane Idalia, and has bird enthusiasts and Hoosiers alike very excited to see this 'fish out of water.'

An American flamingo has been spotted in the Ohio River along the Indiana-Kentucky border. This bird is believed to be displaced from Mexico by Hurricane Idalia, and has bird enthusiasts and Hoosiers alike very excited to see this 'fish out of water.'

A flamboyance of flamingos feed and preen in Estero Bay Preserve State Park on Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. The large pink birds are thought to come from the Yucatan Peninsula or Cuba and were swept up as Hurricane Idalia moved north. People have spotted them throughout Florida along with several other states. The photographer encountered challenging conditions to photograph the birds, including wading through ankle- to shin-deep water, thick shoe-sucking mud and a long hike. The photographer also stresses being prepared with water and understanding the terrain as it pertains to geography and direction to avoid getting stranded or lost. The photographer also stresses research on location of the birds because that can be fluid.

A flamboyance of flamingos feed and preen in Estero Bay Preserve State Park on Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. The large pink birds are thought to come from the Yucatan Peninsula or Cuba and were swept up as Hurricane Idalia moved north. People have spotted them throughout Florida along with several other states. The photographer encountered challenging conditions to photograph the birds, including wading through ankle- to shin-deep water, thick shoe-sucking mud and a long hike. The photographer also stresses being prepared with water and understanding the terrain as it pertains to geography and direction to avoid getting stranded or lost. The photographer also stresses research on location of the birds because that can be fluid.

A flamboyance of flamingos feed and preen in Estero Bay Preserve State Park in Florida on Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. The large pink birds are thought to come from the Yucatan Peninsula and were swept up as Hurricane Idalia moved north

A flamboyance of flamingos feed and preen in Estero Bay Preserve State Park in Florida on Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. The large pink birds are thought to come from the Yucatan Peninsula and were swept up as Hurricane Idalia moved north.