Flamingos at Pulicat Lake, Tamil Nadu

 

Pulicat Lake, located north of Chennai on the Tamil Nadu-Andhra border, is a brackish lagoon known for its rich marine life and habitat for numerous bird species. It spans about 60,000 hectares and supports numerous and rare birds all through the year. This water body  is classified as one of India's important Bird Areas for both photographers and bird lovers with a part of the lake designated as the Pulicat Bird Sanctuary that serves to conserve the aquatic life species found abundantly here. 

The Pulicat wetlands houses over 60 species of migratory birds, the most notably are the greater flamingo and ruddy turnstone, which arrive as far as from Europe and Siberia during winter migration. 

Our trip to Pulicat this March was primarily to sight the great flamingos, which are spotted from October to March/April. The vast salt pans are the only place these birds visit in Tamilnadu.  Apart from Pulicat these birds are seen at Kutch- Gujarat, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra and Chilka lake at Orissa in India. 

The Lake being a natural resource for fishery and shrimp cultivation is the main source of livelihood for the fisherfolk of the villages along this coast. The fisherfolks and birds co exist with each other which in turn benefit this massive water body.  

Due to security reasons near the lake that particular day, we could set off on one of the boats only by noon, to get a glimpse of these graceful flamingos. 

The boat ride was by itself breathtaking, with the boatman taking us close to the spotted pelicans, flocks of terns and seagulls along the coast that is lined up with patches of mangrove trees. 

As we neared the Andhra Pradesh coast, the closest the Tamilnadu boats could reach, a huge white band spanning across a few meters contrasting with the deep blue waters was seen. Hundreds of flamingos far from where any boat can reach created the most spectacular sight, a sight which can only be experienced. 

Never would I have even imagined that such a huge number of these large birds migrate as far as Pulicat. Awestruck I captured with a maximum zoom on my DSLR overwhelmed with what we saw. The boats too dock at a distance so not to disturb these fragile bird. 

Constant disturbances prevent these migratory birds from resting and finding food, negatively impacting their breeding success during spring. Moreover human disturbances impact their migratory pattern and urge them to move away to other places. 

The sight of these hundreds of pink toned white birds all in a row lingered on with us back to the boat dock, vibing with the experience of nature at its best.

 

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, TamilNadu

Way back in 1796 a group of soldiers decided it would be fun to hunt birds. The local villagers came across this scene and its dint go well with them. That's how a petition began to protect the birds from hunting and poaching. And that's how Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary was born, the first ever bird sanctuary in India. 

Painted strokes

                                            

Vedanthangal is in Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu and spans over 74 acres. It hosts over 40,000 resident and migratory birds, annually during the winter migration, both common and rare. The sanctuary's appeal to birds is due to the numerous lakes and mangroves, which provide adequate food and resting place to them.

Family of Spot billed Pelicans

   

It is a known fact that birds have been around for a long time, as they rarely change their migration pattern or path. It is thus obvious that even centuries ago this area had a healthy population of birds as it was a favorite hunting spot of the influential people. After the petition by the locals in 1796, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary finally came into existence in 1858. It was officially established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1936 and since 2022, it boasts as a Ramsar site, a wetland of International importance for preserving and conserving ecological and biodiversity values. 

The story of Vedanthangal is a symbiotic relationship between the locals of the area and the birds. The locals are aware that the droppings of the birds fertilize the lake water that aid in the agriculture and hence protect them. In return the birds gain a safe nesting environment and food sources. It is also said that the locals of this village do not burst crackers or pollute the environment even during festivals so not to disturb the birds and their natural habitat 

Colony of Asian Open billed Strokes

                                        

Our day-trip to this sanctuary was beyond our expectation. A 2 hr drive of 75 kms led us to the lush green village, devoid of debris and noise. At the entry of the sanctuary we were glad to have a volunteer who guided us around and helped us spot  different birds. We could sight  Open-billed stroke, Ibis, Spoonbill, Painted stroke, Garganeys which travel from far off places like Myanmar, Srilanka, Siberia, and even Canada, Australia and many more in the short span of few hours we spent there. 

                               

Spotted owlets

                                             

For a birder or a photographer a visit to, Vedanthangal is a paradise on earth. For those who aren't will not go disappointed either as nature never disappoints. 

To be able to see thousands of these gigantic birds freely flocking and resting with their young ones in their natural habitat, painting the landscape with their vibrant colours is an experience not to miss ... and the trip to sojourn a lifetime..

Anhinga 

Black headed Ibis & Australasian Shoveler

Do visit my Instagram page for more pictures on birds at Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary and many more I've sighted over the year at different places.

https://www.instagram.com/sumats_clicks?igsh=Zjl4MmZ3ZTE2a29v

3D Click Art Museum, ECR, Chennai

India's first 3D Click Art Museum on East Coast Road, Chennai in the Snow World complex at VGP is one of the to go places when at Chennai. It's about 25 km from the city area and can be approached by road.

It is an unique art work by a talented artist, Ap Sreethar. The art form is known as Tompe-l’oeil  meaning to ‘deceive the eye' in French.

There are 24 master pieces painted on walls. The viewer stands on the mark on the floor in front of the painting to interact with these art work. 

These art pieces are 3D trick art forms – the kind of painting that has two dimensions but tricks you into believing there is a third.

One can spend an hour at this museum, and is best enjoyed as a group. 

My sister and self visited this place a couple of years back, on an one odd day when we quested for a long drive. Never did we expect to enjoy ourselves so thoroughly, that we spent a few hours clicking pictures at each and every art work... It definitely is a place to go, have a fun and enjoy with family and friends.