"Minuet"

When I was a kid growing in the Far East of Russia I saw the flamingos on TV once. I was impressed with these graceful creatures. I imagined if I was ever going to photograph these birds it would be two of them slowly crossing each other’s paths like in a ballroom dance. I have had this image on the back of my mind since then.

Many years later, I was in Florida photographing in a bird refuge. I spent two days watching these beautiful birds with an idea of photographing their grace. Many hours, numerous frames, and yet - nothing. Then, I noticed two flamingos approaching each other from the opposite directions. I calculated their crossing location, pointed my camera there, and photographed them. I made only one shot because the next moment they were apart, and the magic moment was gone.

Later when I printed and framed this photograph I realized that it was exactly what I imagined in my childhood.