FLAMINGOS IN PULICAT

FLAMINGOS: AN AWESOME PHOTOGRAPHY SUBJECT

Flamingo birds are spectacular subject for Photography. Pulicat offers excellent opportunities for Flamingos Photography. The wildlife photographers throng this place during Flamingo season with the sole aim of covering as much activities of these birds as possible. A long zoom lens say, with a 500mm reach and a solid tripod are the essential gears, one should necessarily have. Of course, a wide-angle lens for picturing the amazing sunrise or sunset landscapes, will be a handy one. We are not supposed to miss the golden hours photography. ‘Early bird catches the prey’ applies for us too.

REACHING PULICAT FOR FLAMINGOS PHOTOGRAPHY

Chennai is the nearest Airport. Train and buses are available from Chennai Beach to Sullurpetta (in Tirupathy Dist Andhra Pradesh), Gummidipoondi and Ponneri in Tamilnadu, the nearby rail heads. Reaching Pulicat from these stations by availing a local transit is not a big challenge.

Alternatively, a leisurely one-hour drive From Chennai Central through the Nellore National Highway NH 16; taking a diversion to outer ring road at appropriate Exit; Head to Pulicat Via Ponneri will also be an enjoyable trip.

A Pelican Family enjoying the sun. From our Pulicat Flamingos photography album — A Pelican Family enjoying the sun. (Pic, from Pulicat)

A Brown Head sea gull posing us in Pulicat, during our Pulicat flamingos Photography. — Brown Headed Gull from Pulicat. (Pic Credit Sait.Focus)

A SAMPLE BIRD LIST OF PULICAT:

Though the Pulicat-guaranteed-birds’ list is not a lengthy one, we can definitely expect to sight the following birds.

Greater and lesser flamingos, Painted Storks, Whimbrels, Terns, White bellied Pelicans, San Plovers, Brown headed sea gulls, common, white throated and Pied king fishers, while bellied sea-eagles are few other birds that can be sighted in Pulicat

A disturbed flock of Open bill and Black headed ibises, started flying from the spot., where we were waiting for flamingos. — A disturbed flock of Open bill and Black headed ibises.

PULICAT BOATMEN:

Without Pulicat Boatmen, we can never think of reaching anywhere near to Flamingos. Their efficiency in guiding us and piloting their boats to the pinky birds’ exact locations are exceptional.

We can request them to take us far in the lake in the early hours itself. So that we will not miss any activities. Also, that helps us to take closer shots of these birds.

The Boatmen are very much aware of the safety precautions to be taken while on the boat. However, let’s ensure that no more than four birders / bird photographers are there in a boat, taking into consideration the weight of the Camera, lens and Tripod they carry. This would help us to achieve an enjoyable Flamingos Photography in Pulicat lake.

A pair of greater flamingos in Pulicat, posing the Photographers, during the session — A pair of greater flamingos in Pulicat, April 2023 (Pic credit Sait.Focus )

An awesome pair of lesser flamingos. These group were the hot subject on the day of our Flamingo Photography trip. — An awesome pair of Lesser Flamingos in Pulicat. Ap ’23 (Pic credit Dineshkumar , )

We would like to mention, two names of the well-known Boatmen, Mr Magiraj and Yuvaraj. They are very popular and familiar too among many birders and bird photographers alike.

They will be available in the following numbers.

Mr. Magiraj – Birder, guide & Boatman:

98436 48430, 99443 45065

Mr. Yuvaraj – Birder and Travel arranger:

09710518040

PLAN AN ENJOYABLE TRIP TO PULICAT:

An appropriate and advance plan definitely help us to enjoy the birding. Also, to achieve excellent sightings of Flamingos as well as photography without any disappointments.

Those requiring accommodation have to go to Minjur, a town south to Pulicat, for the Hotels and Restaurants as well. This is situated at a 30 minutes’ drive from Pulicat.

We can also approach the Boatmen to help us to find a suitable accommodation, based on our requirements.

FLAMINGOS HOT SPOTS:

Greater Ran of Kutch, little Ran of Kutch and Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary (Nal Sarovar Lake) in Gujarat are identified with Greater and lesser Flamingos.

Koonthemkulam Bird Santuary in Tamilnadu and Trichur Kole Land in Kerala are the two usual hubs for Flamingos in the South, during the season.

Bhigwan in Maharashtra is yet another notable place where we can sight Flamingos in large numbers during the season.

PULICAT IS WORTH A VISIT for FLAMINGOS PHOTOGRAPHY:

In all the above said places, once the season is over, Flamingos return towards Gujrat shores and marshland, for the breeding.

But still, our past experience shows that these Pinky Birds have a special attraction towards Pulicat. Hence a visit is no doubt a worth.

You might also be interested to read about:

Birds that turn Pulicat into a Pinky & Shiny water body.
Can we say Pulicat is synonym for Flamingos?
When does the flamingos season start and how long it extends?

(See our previous page on Pulicat)