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The Horror...

Posted by
Pavan Kaul (Mumbai, India) on 6 May 2011 in Animal & Insect and Portfolio.

It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment.
~Ansel Adams


"Increasingly, the world around us looks as if we hated it."
~Alan Watts

This is a stretch of mangroves that are the habitat of these lovely birds at this time of year. The filth and pollution that is caused by the factories and commercial ventures that line these mangroves on either side is appalling! The black color of the soil is certainly not natural. I have here a closer crop to show some of the garbage and contamination. What once must have been a feast of nourishing food for these migratory birds is now a sticky mess full of chemical waste. It is heartbreaking to see our goo clinging to the legs and beaks of these poor creatures who travel thousands of miles to visit us and silently succumb to what we have in store for them.

NIKON D7000 1/500 second F/8.0 ISO 400 400 mm

A film maker from India who has recently rediscovered his passion for photography.


My Spotlighted Images

Elsaxelle from France

Tout perdre... jusqu'à ces couleurs. Tristesse et en détresse.

6 May 2011 5:17am

Nazzareno from Rome, Italy

A superb composition with excellent detail and color

6 May 2011 5:36am

Mathilde Collot from Fontainebleau, France

This is an image so sad! The eye is a sharp memory for photographers, and this memory is an exile! We will become prisoners of the ugliness of a world. The flamingo is pink when eating shrimp, today, its color has disappeared! And him? What will he become?

6 May 2011 5:47am

PRASHANT from Mumbai, India

Even I visited the place at Sewri.BNHS is supporting & generating awareness among people...nice catch.

6 May 2011 5:51am

Kala from United States

Another heart breaking image Pavan.

6 May 2011 6:00am

Annierita & Annisabelle from New Delhi & Belle Ile, India

Terrible , the way we spoil the nature. Annierita

6 May 2011 6:03am

Jean-Louis from Nîmes, France

Une photo qui fait très mal au coeur de voir ces merveilleux flamands qui cherchent leur nourriture dans cette pollution que l'homme doit combatre au détriment du profit !!
Un excellent message !!!!!!

6 May 2011 6:04am

Rick from Toronto, Canada

I have to applaud your use of this blog to show the sad truth of what we do to this planet and her creatures. I could weep. All my adult life I have been seeing these things on the increase, even here in a huge under-populated country. This photo is raw and potent, as it should be.

6 May 2011 6:18am

Becky from los angeles, United States

Overwhelmingly honest and devastating. Powerful image of truth.

6 May 2011 6:31am

rem_la from Villiers, France

la pauvre bête !

6 May 2011 6:47am

larans from Lund, Sweden

As an illustration to Alain Watts words this picture of yours is incredible. The contrast between that graceful bird and that terrible contamination makes this to a really "talking" picture in it´s beauty.

6 May 2011 6:52am

El pare from Prepirineu, Andorra

Simply deplorable!

6 May 2011 6:55am

Tamara from Aarschot, Belgium

This is just inacceptable... I'm so sad when I look at this... Have a nice day Pavan :)

6 May 2011 7:20am

Adela Fonts from Barcelona, Spain

Distressed me these pictures a friend ... like yesterday! I can not look, the ... I do not hide our heads in the sand like ostriches do ... it happens, is that there is this cruel world ... but I try I can to fix it for the future of my grandchildren, education and awareness in schools. The complaint is also a painful way, but ... Thank you very much for your active pedagogy. A hug, Adela

6 May 2011 7:22am

noel from Paris, France

Your nice shot shows the craziness of certain situations

6 May 2011 7:32am

k@ from Paris, France

I'm so much with you, again, with those 2 posts, beautiful images to denounce a horror for sure, and this Ansel A.'s quote is so so true. Thanks* The colors here are stunning & very deep.

6 May 2011 7:40am

Nina from Haute Loire, France

Grief, a world that is scary: what will happen to our children?

6 May 2011 7:55am

Anne from 新加坡, Singapore

Both photos speak the devastating facts of the environment and sad plight of these beautiful flamingos...very good image nicely done! Have a nice weekend, Pavan.

6 May 2011 8:20am

Marie LC from Entre montagnes et Bretagne, France

The man will never be reasonable and will eternally continue to pollute the beautiful planet on which it is nevertheless only passage.
I am in distress, in spite of the beauty of your image, to see that this flament poor man stamps on a ground polluted by dirts which the man abandons without asking of questions

6 May 2011 9:30am

Aubélia from Kortrijk, Belgium

A superb composition

6 May 2011 9:31am

DESPITE STRAIGHT LINES from Canada &, United Kingdom

I could weep.

I want to pluck up the birds and take them to safety for they are creatures of habit and return here not understanding the disgusting damage that mankind has done. And this is just the tip of the iceberg as we plunder this beautiful planet of it's riches and resources and rape the landscape, killing off the animal species that depend upon it. So sad, and so important that you show this Pavan.

6 May 2011 10:53am

cristoF from montbéliard, France

une photo trés dur ,qui dénonce les méfait de l'homme sur la nature!
bravo à toi pour cette photo choc!

6 May 2011 11:00am

JacklineG from Béarn, France

Pauvre flamant qui essaie de "survivre" au milieu de tant de pollution ! Une image et un témoignage très fort ! Merci à toi ! et bonne journée

6 May 2011 11:33am

Phil Morris from Canada

So much heartbreak to view images like this too much. Too bad, but some streams and oceans
have become cesspools of human vomit. Tragic but a good photo to see the pitiful ways of man.

6 May 2011 11:50am

fabrizio from Rome, Italy

interesting documentation and great report style

6 May 2011 1:48pm

Steve Rice from Olympia, United States

It seems to be a deliberate attempt to drive them to extinction. But, I'm sure it's not. It's indifference on the part of those responsible for protecting these creatures. It is a horrifying image.

6 May 2011 2:26pm

Lydia.Dd from de partout et de nulle part, France

Poor little one , we can't imagine that !! Men are silly !

6 May 2011 2:28pm

danou-yepa from Nice, France

is so sad pavan , the world is crazy !!! this photo is terrific but great for show the harsh reality , 5* thx for this pavan , i 'm environmental activist green peace France .

6 May 2011 2:37pm

Marco Carbocci from Paris, France

A horror! Everything is said. It will be necessary to accustom us to live in this B&W world. Very strong and relevant series, Pavan.

6 May 2011 2:42pm

yiannis krikis from thessaloniki, Greece

great image and message in it

6 May 2011 2:49pm

Jason Politte from Conway, AR, United States

So sad how people just don't seem to care. This is a marvelous shot that speaks volumes.

6 May 2011 3:05pm

Emmeji from France

Une image terrible ! :((

6 May 2011 4:52pm

Sam from Chennai, India

Another powerful presentation. Very clear message on the environmental degradation and sad plight of these beautiful flamingos. Excellent image! Well done, Pavan!!! Love it. :)

6 May 2011 5:54pm

franz from Baden, Austria

yes, this is "horror", pure and simple! a valuable document of the destructive force of modern societies, pavan!

6 May 2011 6:13pm

Pascale. from La Bonneville sur Iton, France

still more sad than your previous post! We have to fight against the whole World to preserve the nature!

6 May 2011 6:58pm

mohkum from Cochin (Kochi), India

So sad it looks! A very stromg message presented nicely!

6 May 2011 7:07pm

Ronnie 2¢ from Atlantic Shores, United Kingdom

What a terrible scene you describe . . I read that the River Thames near to me was declared 'ecologically dead' in the 1960's due to long term industrial pollution. Now, it is thriving with wildlife after a massive clean-up : can be done !!

6 May 2011 7:24pm

Antoine from France

Superb capture. Colors and lighting are very beautiful. Excellent work Pavan. Have a lovely week-end Pavan. Antoine.

6 May 2011 8:05pm

tce76 from Saint Laurent de brèvedent, France

Tristesse et désolation de notre planète!

6 May 2011 8:07pm

marc battault from clermont ferrand, France

a strong shot ,decidedly man destroys everything in the name of profit!
friendships!

6 May 2011 9:15pm

Tomix from landerneau, France

very sad to see such beautiful bird in such conditions of life by humans pollution! great post Pavan!

6 May 2011 9:59pm

hugo poon from hong kong, Hong Kong

Pavan, I could imagine the pain this is giving you to have to document the scene... yet you still managed to attain the technical perfection that helps this stimulate us to deep thought and introspection!!!

7 May 2011 2:01am

Satvik from Far far away, United States

Very strong picture to depict the pollutions level today ! The two accompanying quotes are so true..

7 May 2011 3:06am

Stephen from Canberra, Australia

Powerful image - a sad reflection on the state of the world.

7 May 2011 7:30am

jpla from St Barthélémy d, France

ça prend aus tripes ! Je te souhaite une agréable journée
JP

7 May 2011 8:11am

Mhelene from Paris, France

A beautiful photo for a very sad situation .

7 May 2011 8:32am

FOTO'S from Wołomin, Poland

People do not think about others do not think about the animals they only think about what it is now and how you will ensure a good life. Nobody pays attention to those who live alongside us and are dependent on humans. A good picture should be more to show such a problem. Yours

7 May 2011 8:42am

grouser from Ludlow, United Kingdom

Striking pair of shots Pavan. Well documented, though the beauty and elegance of the bird somewhat counters the message. Perhaps more rubbish in the shot might hammer home the point a little harder. I do remember on my last trip to India a couple of years ago being shocked at the sheer quantity of plastic garbage scattered everywhere, due to it replacing the traditional natural and bio-degradable alternatives. Very depressing.

7 May 2011 9:58am

yz from Budapest, Hungary

real horror, but still a beautiful composition

7 May 2011 10:48am

RORO from LE HAVRE, France

Great testimony for a very important situation here !

7 May 2011 11:25am

Mamyni from Argenteau-Visé, Belgium

Incredible this polluted nature...
It is necessary to mobilize to clean up all these swamps!

7 May 2011 5:11pm

DULCIE from Danville, CA, United States

Yes, the closer look reveals the heartbreak...
yet you have photographed and conveyed it so well through your craft. That is a gift.

7 May 2011 11:47pm

Michael Fresh from Chester, United Kingdom

I totally agree, it is a crime against nature. But to clean this up costs money, and the Bankers, multi-nationals and government departments don't like to spend on things that don't bring profit.

8 May 2011 12:00am

Bettina from Los Angeles, United States

Sad words and image and sadly true. Your crop is excellent for its detail and message. The grime clinging to the poor creature is just criminal. I never thought I would live in such a time of reckless destruction of our beautiful planet.

8 May 2011 2:05am

Lilly from La Ménitré, France

Horror indeed... and sad... Very powerful capture Pavan !!

8 May 2011 8:17pm

Dutch from Neverwhere, United States

Oh my this is so sad.. I feel sick seeing this :(

9 May 2011 3:33am

Dhara Advani from India

Wonderful pictures ! Hats off Pavan thanx for the most best experience . Environmental degradation must be stopped it has reached its heights.

9 May 2011 11:27am

@Dhara Advani: Thank You Dhara!

Arash from Dubai, UAE., United Arab Emirates

so saaaaad.... :(

9 May 2011 3:04pm

NIKON D7000
1/500 second
F/8.0
ISO 400
400 mm

flamingo
feeding
color
mangrove
lowtide
pollution
garbage
telephoto
mumbai
india