These Stunning Flamingo Photos Show Why Pulicat Lake Near Chennai Is a Must-Visit This April
Every year, as the northeast monsoon rolls in, a gentle pink wave sweeps across the skies near Chennai. From November to May, thousands of flamingos make their way to Pulicat Lake, a sprawling brackish lagoon that covers the borders of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
For birders, photographers and nature lovers, this seasonal migration is nothing short of a spectacle. Pulicat Lake is the crown jewel for flamingo sightings in Tamil Nadu. With its calm waters and ecosystem, it draws these elegant visitors in huge numbers.
Pulicat Lake becomes a home for flamingos.
These beautiful birds can be spotted till May.
While they start arriving by early November, the best time to witness them in all their glory is between mid-December and February, when their numbers peak.
The site has attracted wildlife photographers to capture this phenomena.
Barath Karthi R K, a 24-year-old wildlife photographer, has been documenting these flamingos since 2018. “My first visit to Pulicat was with a Canon 750D and a basic 75–300mm lens. It wasn’t the best gear, but the experience was unforgettable,” he says.
Barath Karthi has been capturing these birds since 2018.
The lake’s pink-hued visitors left such a mark that he has returned every year since, capturing their grace and quiet beauty.
Even the reflection of the flamingos looks magnificent.
This year’s visit, Barath says, felt truly magical. “The Flamingos were incredibly active, and the quieter we were, the closer they came,” he shares. One moment that stood out to him was watching a line of flamingos walk in perfect synchrony—“such a surreal sight,” he recalls.
With the soft glow of early morning light casting reflections over the lake, Barath captured stunning images of the flamingos taking flight, landing, and foraging. “It was everything a wildlife photographer could ask for,” he says. “An absolutely unforgettable experience.”
Flamingos photographed during sunset.
While Pulicat remains the most popular spot, flamingos can also be seen along Tamil Nadu’s East Coast Road, including places like Odiyur Lake. These pockets of calm, often tucked away from the city’s rush, offer an ideal backdrop for birdwatchers and photographers alike.
As the season winds down by May, the flamingos begin their journey back, leaving behind shimmering memories and a promise to return. For Chennai, it’s a gentle reminder of the wild beauty that exists just beyond the city’s edge.
Edited by Vidya Gowri Venkatesh; All images courtesy Barath Karthi R K
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