Lake Nakuru
Kenya

IUCN: Listed on IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as 'Least Concern'

Image Story:


The Greater Flamingo is listed as 'least vulnerable' by IUCN.


Whilst waiting, repositioning and waiting again, this flamingo pad moves gradually closer to the waters edge, till it is about 50m away.......as good as it is going to get.


With the sun high in a clear sky, shadows are harsh and equally, I risk burn out in the highlighted areas of an image.


If I stop-down the light with in-camera setting and filters to prevent burn-out of highlighted areas, the darker elements of the image would be very dark or loose detail completely - head and legs for example.


And so, I am trying to capture high key images, exposing for the detail of head and legs, whist accepting loss of background detail - a more 'arty' than realistic feel.


This year Lake Nakuru is home to large congregations of flamingo.


Being mid-year, the water level is still high from the seasonal rains and we cannot get close to them - the track is too boggy, and ahead it is entirely submerged.


After observing them for while, we position as best we can relative to the movement corridors of the birds on the water, their flight paths and settling areas. They remain static sometimes for a few hours.


A good telephoto lens is required and whilst I am trying to capture panning 'movement image' of these birds in flight, I take advantage of this particular pad venturing closer to me.


These Flamingo are considered 'least vulnerable' within these ecosystems. Changing water levels force changes upon their habitat but generally, they are thriving.