Laguna Hedionda

Laguna Hedionda

Laguna Hedionda was by far the most abundant with flamingos. Altitude: 4126 metres. -21.573056,-68.038611


James’s Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi)

James’s Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi)

When their food, algae, is getting scarce on the shallows, they venture out as deep as needed to get to where the algae is. Here they seem to be floating as…


Andean Gull (Chroicocephalus serranus)

Andean Gull (Chroicocephalus serranus)

The only Andean gull (Chroicocephalus serranus) I saw nesting, and this one has done what many have done before - steal the nest from a Flamingo. Apparently…


James’s Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi)

James’s Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi)

Even at these muddy sections of the lagoon, the flamingos find food that seemingly outweighs the energy spent ovecoming the suction of the mud. A few flaps of…


Yareta (Azorella compacta)

Yareta (Azorella compacta)

This enormous and partially dying yareta (Azorella compacta) is growing by one of many incredibly beautiful rock outcrops here called Valle de las Rocas, or…


Rock Valley (Valle de las Rocas) & Southern viscacha (Lagidium viscacia)

Rock Valley (Valle de las Rocas) & Southern viscacha (Lagidium viscacia)

In a garden of rock formations resembling many different animals I was baffled to suddenly stand in front of this Viscacha monitoring my movements. It's like…


Rock Valley (Valle de las Rocas)

Rock Valley (Valle de las Rocas)

One of the many "sculptures" in this amazing place, that seemed without any kind of face or specific form. Still I think there is a wolf-like head on the top…


Rock Valley (Valle de las Rocas)

Rock Valley (Valle de las Rocas)

Yet another animal, and to me perhaps a dolphin's face. Later in the day or even under the starry sky it might look like another creature. A different angle…


Rock Valley (Valle de las Rocas)

Rock Valley (Valle de las Rocas)

Most are unable to see nature's never ending miracles - from the smallest of scales to the large. They stand amidst it all but are filled with thoughts of the…


Rock Valley (Valle de las Rocas)

Rock Valley (Valle de las Rocas)

Many kilometres before I got to here, I noticed a very unusual rock formation in the landscape. Like a fissure from which Earth has had time to have fun and be…