Dazzling photographs of flocking flamingos

Travel and landscape photographer Raj Mohan captured these stunning images of flamingos at Purikat Lake in Tamil Nadu, India.

Along Li Gege

A gorgeous flock of flamingos captured by photographer Raj Mohan adds a dazzling pink hue to Pulicat Lake in Tamil Nadu, India.

Flamingos are not generally migratory, but colonies are not always permanent. Thousands of birds may also seek new breeding grounds due to factors such as climate and changing water levels. Here they chose to settle in 750 square kilometers of shallow water, rich in fish and plankton.

Flamingos tend to fly in “V” formations during such journeys, allowing them to conserve energy and travel great distances. Flock members in turn lead his V and bear the brunt of wind resistance, while each rear member flies slightly above the bird in front to further reduce drag. On the ground, formations can take more creative forms, as illustrated by the heart-like arrangement in the image below.

Mohan was driven to document these magnificent flocks of birds after wondering why he only saw flamingos on the lake between November and May. Now he spends his time each year observing the movements of the birds and photographing their formations. This isn’t necessarily difficult, but it does require a lot of patience, he says.

“The way they always stick together in the colony is fascinating,” says Mohan. “As an aerial photographer, I wanted to know what it was like to see these colonies from above. Form is pure art!”