An aerial view of flamingos on a reservoir, which is home to many bird species, Gölbaşı district, #Turkey

Photograph: Rasit Aydogan/Anadolu/Getty Images

@photography
#birds
#flamingos

FLAMINGO ALERT! BSidesChicago 2025 is going TWO DAYS and you're NOT READY!

Lock up your robot flamingos and hide your lock picks because on October 31-November 1, Chicago is about to experience what we're calling "The Flamingo-pocalypse" (trademark pending).

Last year, we BROKE THE CONFERENCE (in a good way)! People literally sat on the floor to catch talks. First-time lockpickers were popping locks like bubble wrap. Career Village had so many life-changing moments I needed tissues. And don't get me started on the GREAT FLAMINGO HUNT that had grown adults chasing down volunteers for intel!

For 2025, we're DOUBLING DOWN:

Day 1 (Oct 31): Workshops & Training (come in costume, we dare you)
Day 2 (Nov 1): Full Conference Extravaganza (this is where the chaos truly begins)

The legendary Chicago Hilton is bracing for impact and opening the bars early (10AM!) because sometimes security research requires... creative thinking!

IMPORTANT SECURITY NOTICE
We strategically limit sponsorships so our sponsors aren't tucked away in a sad little vendor hall. Instead, they're placed near COFFEE and BARS because we know what really drives meaningful security conversations! (Sponsors, hit that link below FAST before spots vanish!)

What makes BSidesChicago different?

Two words: ELECTRIC. VIBE.

Where else can you find career-changing resume reviews, a maniacally fun CTF, lockpicking that's "PURE JOY" (direct quote), and a flamingo mascot with its own cult following?

As one 2024 attendee put it: "10/10 WOULD FLAMINGO AGAIN"

Start practicing your flamingo-spotting skills. Sasha the Dancing Flamingo and her robot flamingo army await your challenge!

BSidesChicago.org
Sponsor Form: https://forms.gle/MwxgXz15NmJXFWq16
October 31-November 1, 2025
Chicago Hilton, 720 S Michigan Ave

Un exemplar jove de flamenc rosat (Phoenicopterus roseus) una mica presumit.

Pink Flamingo
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/pink-flamingo-jan-matson.html

A textured oil painting of a pink Flamingo. This pretty tropical bird was painted mostly with a palette knife giving a luscious feathery look.

#flamingos
#madridzoo
#birdsofmastodon
#birds
#BirdsOfFediverse

#Holbox is an uncrowded #paradise located just 2.5h outside #Cancun , #Mexico . It has white sand #beaches , #turquoise water, #flamingos , beautiful #murals and much more.
How did you like it? Here is what we did:
#BucketList #travel https://backpackandsnorkel.com/Holbox/

#Flamingos And #Tropical #Leaves #Art By Kaye Menner #Photography Wide variety #Prints & lovely #Products at:

https://kaye-menner.pixels.com/featured/flamingos-and-tropical-leaves-art-by-kaye-menner-kaye-menner.html

Just discovered the term for a group of flamingos is a flamboyance. I like it.
#flamingos
#birds

#Holbox is an uncrowded #paradise located just 2.5h outside #Cancun , #Mexico . It has white sand #beaches , #turquoise water, #flamingos , beautiful #murals and much more.
How did you like it? Here is what we did:
#BucketList #travel https://backpackandsnorkel.com/Holbox/

Flips pink feathers and adjusts conference badge collection

Listen up my fellow tech #flamingos Sasha the #Hacking flamingo here!

You know what makes my heart do a little security dance? It's not just the fancy algorithms or the coolest #homelab setups (though I do love those!) - it's seeing ALL of you spread your wings in the #CyberSecurity world!

Sure, there are some amazing folks out there doing incredible things, but you know what? This community isn't about being the brightest feather in the flock! It's about each of us contributing our own special dance moves to make this space better.

Want to join the flamingo parade? Start small:

- Waddle over to your local conference and volunteer! (I started at #BSidesChicago and look at me now, collecting badges worldwide!)
- Set up that homelab you've been thinking about (even if it's as wobbly as a flamingo on roller skates at first!)
- Share your learning journey (trust me, we all start with two left feet!)

My 2025 flamingo promise? To keep supporting this wonderful #community one pink step at a time. Because cybersecurity isn't about being the tallest bird in the pond - it's about lifting each other up and keeping our balance together!

Remember: Take breaks, stay hydrated (standing on one leg gets tiring!), and keep that spark alive!

Pirouettes away to plan next conference appearance

#Infosec #diversity #inclusion #DEI #Support

Bonus flamingo wisdom: Even the most secure systems need a little dance break sometimes!

Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) #SouthAmericanBirds | #ChileanFlamingo | #Flamingos #FamingoFamily #Waders #Waterbirds : Photo by Beto_MdP #birdsoftheworld #birds

seeds, shrimp and dried fruit
pink flamingos filtering
the shallow waters

#dailyhaikuprompt - dried fruit
#mastoprompt - awake

ART
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/dancing-daisies-tropical-flamingo-art-2-on-light-blue-sharon-cummings.html

#Holbox is an uncrowded #paradise located just 2.5h outside #Cancun , #Mexico . It has white sand #beaches , #turquoise water, #flamingos , beautiful #murals and much more.
How did you like it? Here is what we did:
#BucketList #travel https://backpackandsnorkel.com/Holbox/

In the New Year, I plan to do some more writing. For now, it's gardening, cleaning and listing all of my backlogged art! Praying for no more hurricanes!

ART
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/dancing-daisies-pink-flamingos-art-2-on-light-blue-sharon-cummings.html

Festive Flamingo...Not everyone likes words on their art. Since I create the art 1st, I've decided to list them "as is" too. Enjoy!

ART
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/festive-pink-flamingo-holiday-art-sharon-cummings.html

#Holbox is an uncrowded #paradise located just 2.5h outside #Cancun , #Mexico . It has white sand #beaches , #turquoise water, #flamingos , beautiful #murals and much more.
How did you like it? Here is what we did:
#BucketList #travel https://backpackandsnorkel.com/Holbox/

A little Holiday levity! FlamingHo Ho Ho

ART
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/flamingoho-ho-ho-holiday-art-sharon-cummings.html