Fabulous Flamingos

One of my favorite sights in Austin are the fabulous pink Flamingos on Bee Caves Road. They are very fun and festive and I crack a smile everytime I see them. How could you not? Here is the story of how they came to be:

Austin's famous flock of flamingoes has been brightening the intersection at Highway 360 and Bee Caves Road since 1989. The colorful gathering began when Pots and Plants owner Pat Swanson placed two birds on the grassy slope in front of his place and sold them before he could even get back inside. So more flamingoes were put out, followed by others, then still more…
When he was through, Pat had turned ordinary yard art into an Austin landmark.

Most people who drive past appreciate the sheer whimsy of the scene. Even President Bill Clinton had to buy a pair of birds when he was in town. However, there was a point in time when these faux flamingoes were an endangered species.

It could be said that the first battle to keep Austin Weird was fought over those gloriously goofy birds. It seems that at one point the "Fathers of Westlake" considered the birds a blight on the upscale community and sought to have them removed. Other Westlakers were up in arms over the prospect of losing the flock. The battle drew correspondents from AP, UPI, CNN and NPR, and even Jay Leno joked about the brouhaha on the Tonight Show. In the end, the pro-flamingo crowd won and the Pots and Plants lawn became a sanctuary for the beloved birds, reminding us that free spirits still prevail in Austin.