H2_W2_001

Date: 2023

Location: Mangaljodi, Chilika Lake, Odisha

Did you know?

Chilika Lake in the Odisha district of Eastern India is the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia and the second largest coastal lagoon in the world. Its salinity varies by region, from nearly freshwater where rivers flow in, to oceanic salinity levels due to tidal influx. It is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent. The lake is home to several threatened species of plants and animals. In 1981, Chilika Lake was designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. It has also been listed as a tentative UNESCO World Heritage site.

About the picture

This photograph was taken very early in the morning in Mangaljodi which is part of Chilika Lake in Odissa, India. The Great Egret was flying over the water in search of food. I waited for the bird to fly in front of the rising sun so that I could get this silhouette. It almost looks like the bird is balancing the sun like a football on its feet.

Fun Fact

The Great Egret appears on various denominations of currency in Brazil, Belarus, New Zealand, and Hungary.