Flamingos
Three species.
Christian Mehlführer, User:Chmehl — CC BY 3.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0
A white-shored salt lake at over 4,100 metres, one of the chain of lagoons on the southern route that Uyuni tours pass on the second day. Its Spanish name means «the stinking one», for the whiff of sulphur that sometimes rises from its water. It is best known for hundreds of pink flamingos of all three Andean species feeding in the shallows near the shore, where visitors get closer than at any other lagoon and see them clearly against brown and red volcanic peaks. On the shore are small lodges and a lunch stop, and the road continues past other lagoons such as Chiar Khota and Honda, each with its own colour and birds. Don't get too close to the birds or chase them for photos. It is seen on 4x4 tours from Uyuni, most often the three-day tour, so choose a company with careful drivers and sound vehicles. The altitude is over 4,000 metres and nights are bitterly cold, often below minus ten, so bring winter clothes and a warm sleeping bag.
Three species.
Salt and volcanoes.
Changing colours.
Lagoon route in Nor Lípez, south of the Uyuni salt flat
At Laguna Hedionda, where they feed near the shore, and at Laguna Colorada in greater numbers but further away.