Flying high over the soda lake, Paul watched as a group of more than 100,000 flamingos parted to reveal the shallow green water and soft silt. With a fast shutter speed to counter the turbulence of the aircraft, he captured what looked like a ‘giant green mouth framed by thick lips’.
The high alkalinity of the water in soda lakes favours the growth of blue-green algae. In recent years heavy rain, deforestation and tectonic activity have contributed to the rising water level of Lake Logipi, changing its salt concentration and balance. If algae can no longer grow, flamingos will lose their staple food.
Ireland/Hong Kong
Paul is a semi-professional wildlife photographer based in Hong Kong. He has been photographing both terrestrial and marine wildlife for the last 25 years. Paul has travelled widely but has a special affinity for Africa, especially the soda lakes and their inhabitants in East Africa. He is widely published and a co-lead on photography tours.
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