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Flamingos

19 June 2010 18 Comments

Here it goes…. Flamingos.

Sewri fort was done in a few minutes time and we were in no mood to head back home. We knew Flamingos can be seen somewhere nearby but this was not the right time to see them. We were told, most of them have gone back to Australia from where they come every year. Still we wanted to take a chance. It was our casual outing… no birding in mind, no tripod or long lens as well.

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Flamingos having their cuisine.

We walked upto the jetty area. The surrounding was not very inviting… even V was feeling awkward. And me? I knew I would not have come here alone.
There were around 100 trucks parked on both sides of the road which leads to the jetty…. some being cleaned, some being repaired or rested. There was a lone chai ki dukan (tea shop) serving crew of those trucks. It being rainy season, the road was muddy black with oil and coal with pot holes at regular distance.

Near the jetty there was a small police post with two constables, and further down we could see two barges being repaired on either side. No Flamingos in sight, we walked back till police post. Chatted with men on duty for a few minutes and walked again to the barge. :) Hesitated and then asked them if we could go up one of the barge to have a look.

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V getting down the shaky, rusty ladder. Note the wheels.

Yesssss, was the response and we climbed a dangerous looking makeshift metal ladder. There were two wheels attached at the lower end of it so that it can be moved from one place to another and the other end was tied with a chain to the barge. The distance between each step (rung) was approximately 1 and ½ feet and the ladder was shaking ! It was looking scary especially when coming down you get to see the sea beneath.

@lemonicks.com/Travel

Last batch of the flock.

From the barge, it was a piece of art with a flock of flamingos enjoying their cuisine at a distance flying from left to right and quacking happily. They were just around a hundred of this beautiful creature, some standing on one leg and some other mushing with the mud. At far off background one could see some factories emitting smoke. A strange but true mix of two real worlds.

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Look at the way they ’scoop’ out their food.

Note:-It was a casual visit to the fort, no birding was planned… hence all shots are hand held without tripod or long lens. You can see some more photos of Flamingos here shot by me.
Directions:- See detailed directions to reach this place.
This is a place surrounded by boats & barges. It is about 15 min walking distance from the station.

The most important thing to remember is the tide timing. Flamingos can be seen from 2 hours before & after low tide. For example if the low tide is at 12 noon, the best time to watch flamingos is from 10 AM to 2 PM.
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