On Friday, Sept. 1, several residents flocked to Caesar Creek State Park to try and get a look at a rare sight. Two American Flamingos had flown into the public beach and stayed there most of the day as on-lookers got photos of the pair rarely seen outside of zoos. Despite their name, the American Flamingo isn't native to the United States, typically originating from areas of the Caribbean and south. Despite their rarity, photographers and others who got the chance to see the pair of flamingos at the public beach were amazed. One nature photographer from the area said he just happened to be there the morning they arrived to capture other wildlife but instead got a surprise."What are they doing here? That was the first thought, like, what is going on?" said George Keller. Keller explained that while it was quite the surprise, his photography instinct kicked in, and he knew he had to capture the rare site. He said at first, he was getting photos to make sure they were comfortable with him in the area, but after some time, he was taking photos to learn more about their origins."When the helicopter flew over, I got flight shots to show that there were no leg bands on them, so they weren't captive. If they did have leg bands, then what project were they part of or were from that would have told everything there?" said Keller. Ohio hasn't been the only state to see this rare arrival, either. So far, states like Georgia, South Carolina, Kentucky, and more have seen flamingos arrive near lakes in their areas. While experts say it's hard to pinpoint exactly what caused this migration of a relatively non-migratory bird, many are pointing to recent Hurricane Idalia that began on the coast of Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula. They believe that groups of flamingos may have been flying between the countries over the gulf when the storm blew them off course. "They really should be in the Caribbean, but the fact again that there are four to five other groups of them, I wonder if it was a single flock that was just trying to make it across the water and got blown into the midwest," said Cory Christopher, the director of conservation at the Cincinnati Nature Center.Despite being so far from home, Christopher believes there is no reason to worry about their safety and health. He said most birds are actually able to use the sun, moon, and stars and can even sense the Earth's magnetic field to determine where they're at and where they need to go. "I wouldn't be surprised if we see more reports of flamingos further south as the birds that were pushed north are now returning home," said Christopher. Since the sightings last Friday at Caesar Creek State Park, there haven't been any more in the region. While it's believed these pair of flamingos are likely heading back south, experts say if you do see any in your area, you should keep your distance and never feed them or touch them. If you have concerns for their health or safety, it's best to reach out to your local or state conservation office.Photo Credits to Aaron Shirk & George Keller