Image
details
1/800 sec, f/8; ISO 200
Canon 40D, Canon 100-400 zoom
Location: Mahul, opposite Sewri Mudflats, Mumbai
Date: 19 April 2008
Shoot details
I was waiting
for months to capture an image like this. The flamingos are associated
with the legend of "Phoenix", which goes like "....Its plumage resembles
the flames it rises from upon its rebirth from the ashes, combining
orange and red hues. Its eyes glow a deep ruby red". I purposely
composed this image to capture the essence of the legend of "Phoenix".
I knew the flamingos will start their dance ritual in April-May in Sewri,
Mumbai, so I was keeping a close watch. I had several boat visits and
finally was rewarded with some close encounters including this one. It
was a task to balance on the small shaky boat plus these birds are
difficult to expose with the bright sun beating down on them in open.
Species details
Lesser
Flamingos breed in Gujarat and winter in large numbers in the Sewri
mudflats at the outskirts of Mumbai city. No visit to Mumbai is
complete, for those interested in our birds, without a trip to Sewri to
see thousands of these birds in timeless formation flight against the
backdrop of stark modernity. 80-90cms, sexes alike.
A
Birds of India presentation
