Flamingo nesting colonies are noisy,
bustling affairs as the birds are active
around the clock caring for growing chicks.
The light of a full moon shows this hive of
activity, as birds stand guard over their young
or incubate newly-hatched birds to keep
them warm. Flamingos can be crepuscular
in their non-breeding activities too, taking
advantage of bright moonlight to forage
for swarms of brine shrimp when there’s
less competition from other waders.With around 30,000 flamingos
gathering on the Yucatán
Peninsula at any one time,
it’s a spectacular sight
when they take to the air.
Flamingos require a runway
to get airborne as they are
heavy birds with relatively small
wings. This Mexican population
breeds in locations throughout
the Rio Lagartos Estuary.
The Caribbean flamingo has
an increasing population trend,
but the birds are still vulnerable
to human encroachment on
nesting and wintering grounds,
and from the wider implications
of climate change.
Alejandro Prieto is a professional wildlife
and conservation photographer from
Guadalajara, Mexico. You can see
more of his amazing pictures at(^) http://www.alejandroprietophotography.com.
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