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Regis Eye On Nature


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Flamingos are present in several lakes in Tanzania (Lake Natron), Kenya (Nakuru, Bogoria), Botswana (the Pan's) and Namibia (whale bay), but their presence is totally dependent on water. The number of flamingos varies from year to year depending on water levels and food availability, but at the peak of the season, Lake Natron and Lake Bogoria are populated with up to a million and more of these graceful creatures.

These long-legged birds with their thin flexible necks have a unique color that directly depends on their diet. The natural white-grey feathers of flamingos turn pink to red, depending on the amount of carotenes they consume with the food. At Lake Natron I sometimes saw huge populations (hundreds of thousands) of flamingos, but this immense lake is so difficult to reach and the birds often forage and breed for miles from the edge of the lake, far away from any keen wildlife photographer and their camera.

After several unsuccessful attempts at Lake Natron in Tanzania, I made several visits to Lake Bogoria in Kenya, each time during the seasonal migration of flamingos when the nutrient-rich waters provide an abundance of blue/red algae, the favorite food of the lesser and greater flamingos. Photographing flamingos seems easy, but it is not.

The birds remain calm as long as you don't make sudden movements and you watch them from one place. The key question was, how do I get all the birds in the picture while they are doing something interesting when you take the picture? This takes patience and sometimes you lie for days in the scorching heat to get the perfect picture.

Some stand with their beaks in the shallows to filter plankton, while others look the wrong way, and usually several beaks are in the water while others stand upright. Depth of field is a problem and you have to be careful not to overexpose these beautiful pink and white birds. Despite these challenges, few images beat the aura of the beautiful and graceful flamingos. Image taken from a ground position.

Comentarios 44

  • Kharmencita Cortez 17/02/2023 18:14

    What a beautiful photography of Flamingos in a group!!! I am envious of what you were able to achieve after those awaited moments of struggle to have the best picture of these wonderful creatures!!! I am already contented if i can take even one beautiful picture of one Flamingo ...maybe in a zoo??? ! But you did the best picture in a group of them!!! I love their colours and i love this picture!!! I'm so impressed!  Have a nice weekend Lg Kharmencita
    • Regis Eye On Nature 18/02/2023 14:14

      Hi Kharmencita , thanks a lot for your praising comment , I am sure that you will succeed in making excellent images , patient luck and perseverance are the key to it , and last but not least the cooperation of the birds , then you will be happy to see these magnificent colors of these gentle and beautiful birds , Enjoy the week end and good luck with the photography
  • Robert F Elliot 21/11/2022 3:11

    I have always had a soft spot for flamingos and your photo really emphasises this. The colour and clarity of the birds is wonderful and the blurred colour in the background highlights their numbers. I really envy people who have the opportunity to experience sights like this. You have enabled me to share in their beauty. Thank you for explanation of the  birds. I first read about them in a book by Leslie Brown "The mystery of the Flamingos" where he describes camping at the mouth of a stream at Lake Natron and waking in the middle of the night surrounded by millions? of the birds which had come to drink fresh water. An unbelievable experience. Once again thank you so much.
    • Regis Eye On Nature 21/11/2022 9:27

      Hallo Robert , indeed feel privileged to be able photographing wildlife at places around the world  observing the beauty they expose. As you, I admire the beauty of this splendid birds (and others). Your comment is valuable for wildlife photographers and I hope that one day you will make part  witnessing and photographing these movements and marvels of the animal kingdom.
  • art-and-cultur 14/01/2022 17:09

    Farbspektakel, grandios.
    LG Anna Maria
  • Chris Madej 10/11/2021 21:46

    National Geographic Photo !
    Beste Grusse and Compliments from Chris
    • Regis Eye On Nature 15/11/2021 6:46

      Hallo Chris , gerade zu haus nach ein 3 Monaten verbleib in Ost Afrika, vielen dank fur Ihre's compliment , mehr Sohnes wird folgen demnächst Grusse Regi
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