Flamingos
On a mirror.
Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bachelot Pierre J-P — CC BY-SA 3.0
A shallow salt lagoon in the middle of the Salar de Atacama, Chile's largest salt flat, set in rough white ground of broken salt crust, home to pink flamingos that feed on tiny creatures in the brine and seem to walk on a mirror. Three flamingo species live here, the Andean, James's and Chilean flamingo, told apart by the colours of their bills and legs. A small visitor centre explains the salt flat and its birds, and paths run between the pools beyond it. The best times are early morning, when the water is still and reflects the birds and mountains, or just before sunset, when the distant Andes turn pink. Small colourful lizards and other birds live among the water and rocks. Stay on the paths, keep away from the birds and bring binoculars if you can. The lagoon is part of Los Flamencos National Reserve.
On a mirror.
White crust.
Pink Andes.
Salar de Atacama, about 60 km south of San Pedro de Atacama
All year; early morning is best for still water and active birds, or just before sunset for colour.