Pink Flamingos: Interviews with Jean-Louis Missika and Dominique Wolton = Le Spectateur Engage

On the alkaline lakes of Kenya and Tanzania live three million Lesser Flamingos and 50,000 Greater Flamingos. The sight of even a half a million of these beautiful, strangely aristocratic birds clustered together like a bed of gigantic chrysanthemums is one that few have found words to describe. The volcanic Great Rift Valley where flamingos are found is one of the harshest places on earth -- its boiling, corrosive, and foul-smelling lakes are certain death to any animal fool enough to drink from them -- yet it is home to East Africa's pink birds. In their remote setting flamingos are remote creatures inhabiting a world of their own. Puzzled naturalists have long tried to unravel the mysteries surrounding these birds, who will suddenly appear in countless thousands, delight us for a while, and disappear again just as swiftly.

Carlo Mari's exquisite photographs have captured the fleeting grace and fascination of flamingos and, with Nigel Collar's knowledgeable text, offer insight into their curiously enchanting world. Pink Flamingos is a superb gift for bird and nature lovers and belongs in every naturalist's library.