Down the Chimney

While in Florida, back in February, I was able to get a few photos of the wood stork, Mycteria americana.  They have a face 'only a mother could love.'   They look gangling and awkward with their wrinkled neck, bald forehead and long bill, yet, they can balance rather well on the thin branches of the mangroves for long periods of time.

The old tale of storks bringing babies appears to have come out of Europe, perhaps initiated during the Victorian period of modesty in discussing the facts of life.


According to the Straightdope.com,  "They (storks) arrive just about nine months after Midsummer's Day, June 21, the summer solstice and the longest day of the year. This was a major festival in pagan Europe, a time for weddings as well as merrymaking well lubricated by fermented beverages. (After the arrival of Christianity the feast continued to be celebrated as Saint John's Day; the modern association of June with weddings may also be related to this festival.) The return of storks just as the progeny resulting from summer revels put in their appearance would not have gone unnoted."


These birds are also seem tolerant of human activity and nest on the roofs of houses in Europe.  Children were led to believe that the baby, like Santa, came down the chimney.  


Click on the photos, of course, for a closer look at this unusual bird.