Greater flamingos on the lake Logipi, Kenya

The whiteness of crystallized natron (a sodium carbonate) on the black volcanic shore of Lake Logipi contrasts with the blue-green algae that proliferates in the alkaline, brackish water. Seen from the sky, this part of the shore suggests the shape of a giant oyster. The tiny pearl dots that surround it are flamingos, congregating where the fresh water re-emerges. These birds seek nourishment in shallow lake waters rich in algae and small crustaceans, which give flamingos their characteristic color. Immense colonies of flamingos travel from lake to lake in the Rift Valley, guided by annual rain patterns that modify the concentration of soda and thus affect food supply. They deserted the area at the time of the cruel dryness which, during nearly 5 years, prevailed in Eastern Africa until 1998. At the beginning of this same year, the important rains, due to the climatic phenomenon El Niño, encouraged small flamingos and pink flamingos to return to populate the Rift Valley, which is now home to almost 3 million greater flamingos, more than half of their entire world population. Since these 30 last years, at least a great drought each decade has touched the East Africa each decade. The last drought (1993-1998) caused a food shortage which has affected 3,3 million inhabitants.