18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Lake Rudolf Sprinkle

During the rainy season, the beautiful flamingos adorn the Rift Valley with their long legs, long neck, black beak, and pink feathery coats. It is indeed feasting to our eyes; we will feel like we are at a beauty pageant. Something different about these birds is their feeding style—they feed with their head upside down. The lower beak is fixed, and the top one is able to move which is the opposite of most birds, but perfectly adapted for upside-down eating the way that flamingos do. The beak has a filtration system that allows them to strain the food from the sand while under the water.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 02.2019
Date Uploaded: 08.2020
Photo Location: Kenya
Camera: NIKON D5
Copyright: © THOMAS VIJAYAN
Awards
Photo of the Day: 12.20.20