White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) | The Grande Dame of the Skies

Grande Dame

Close-up of a white stork in the snow
Portrait of a beautiful white stork in a cold, white and wintry environment

White storks feel… almost un-Dutch. Perhaps even otherworldly. As if they weren’t born, but designed. No wonder they’ve been the subject of so many tales. I can see why. They bring to mind words like flamboyant and ravishing, with echoes of The Revue and variété.

Soubrette

I picture her – or is it him? – on the final evening of a wildly successful yet exhausting theater season. All lights trained upon her.
A true soubrette, perfectly groomed, feathers coiffured to perfection for an ecstatic audience giving one last standing ovation before the curtain falls. She bows deeply, giving her plumage a final shake, rewarded -as expected – with a wave of delighted cheers.

Portrait of a White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) on a cold winter day
Ciconia ciconia, always a beauty, despite her sad dark eyes and slightly smudged lipstick.

Ciconia, the Stage Animal

Her dark eyes hold both pride and melancholy. Though her lipstick has smudged and her magnificent eyes now resemble deep, shadowy pools, she is adored by all who see her. She surveys the jubilant crowd with a gentle gaze that reveals few of her secrets.
For just a moment longer, she remains Ciconia ciconia, the stage animal. Tomorrow morning, she will simply be… a white stork again.

Mating white storks on their nest
Storks, just doing stork.

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