T he copiousness of algae in Lake Nakuru — which is located in the Great Rift Valley and is part of Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya — attracts dozens of flamingos which line the shore…
Flamingos at Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya — and Other Waterfowl
…but flamingos are not the only waterfowl which visit — or live at — the lake.
For example, I am not certain who is this guy in the foreground, who seems to be a loner.
Two white-backed stilts wade in the shallow waters of Lake Nakuru…
..and then this flock of smaller birds arrived — perhaps grebes, which have a mutually beneficial relationship with the flamingos…
…along with what appears to be a flock of five pelicans.
They obviously dine on fish together.
Judging from the long grey markings along the pouches of their bills, these are pink-backed pelicans.
They are smaller than other species of pelicans.
The greater flamingo is the largest species of flamingo and can be identified by the black tip on the end of its bill — as well as their pink legs.
Flamingos move in unison when they perceive a threat — which may explain why they moved away together when I attempted to get closer to them.
Watching the necks of the flamingos contort into different positions was interesting.
Flamingos sleep and preen their feathers while standing on one leg.
Adult flamingos have few natural predators…
…but waste containing different kinds of bacteria, toxins and other types of pollution in the water — which is typically caused by humans due to runoff from factories and other types of companies — encroach the habitats of flamingos and are their primary threats.
Unfortunately, the populations of greater and lesser flamingos have diminished significantly from Lake Nakuru over the years — not only possibly due to the aforementioned toxins; but also perhaps because of increased tourism.
“Hmm…I think I disguised myself pretty well. Nobody will ever guess that I am really a cape buffalo.”
Summary
There are more photographs of different animals on deck from that safari to be highlighted in future articles — including but not limited to hippopotami and white rhinoceros — so please stay tuned…
…but I truly enjoyed watching animals in their native habitat going about their lives — such as:
- Cheetah — When I was unexpectedly treated to witnessing a cheetah surprising its prey, killing it and feasting on it
- Giraffe — When I simply hung around with the awkward but graceful giraffes
- Zebra — Watching zebras and their sometimes quirky behavior was interesting to me
- Lion — Viewing of the lion with one eye with his lioness companion
- Buffalo — Enjoying hanging out with elephants at a watering hole and witnessing the migration of large herds of cape buffalo
- Monkey — Observing playful vervet monkeys
- Baboon — Watching an olive baboon nursing her young
- Rhinoceros — Spotting a lone black rhinoceros crossing the road...
- Birds — …as well as the different varieties of birds which I spotted while on safari in Kenya
All photographs ©2015 by Brian Cohen.
