O.T.: Plastic Flamingos R.I.P.

If you didn't notice the large pink bird on the J-CAM today... or if you didn't notice that I'm wearing my Pink Flamingo shirt today... we need to have a moment of silence for the death of the Pink Flamingo.

The Washington Times reports that Union Products, Inc., home of the original plastic flamingo, officially closed its doors today due to increasing production costs and financial problems. They are in negotiations with competitors to sell the design and molds (others have attempted knockoffs but none can duplicate the original).

BELLY STAMP PROVING MINE IS AN "OFFICIAL" PINK FLAMINGO

I'm not sure why I like pink flamingos. I think that it stems from my general obsession with coastal areas. The birds just say "tropical climate". I last saw live Flamingos at the zoo in 2003 and I have a collection of various flamingo paraphernalia, mostly at home, other than the little guy sitting near the top of my keyboard. I received an animated lighted flamingo for my birthday this year and my wife also recently gave me a nice metal outline flamingo plant pot holder that just might be PC [WikiPedia] enough to avoid problems with the covenants at our new house.

THE AUTHOR WITH
HIS PLASTIC PET

Here's a picture of creator Don Featherstone (which is a little creepy):

Don Featherstone, creator of the original pink flamingo, is surrounded by many of the plastic creatures at Union Products, Inc. in Leominster, Mass., in this June 25, 1998, file photo. Union Products Inc. stopped producing flamingos and other lawn ornaments in June, and is going out of business Nov. 1. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, file)