Lesser flamingo flock at sunrise, Lake Magadi, Kenya

Lesser flamingo flock at sunrise, Lake Magadi, Kenya

Imagine a world without the natural wonders that hold about 90% of Earth's surface freshwater. Lakes are among our planet's most valuable resources. More than 117 million lakes cover nearly 4% of Earth's land surface, yet many face growing pressure from pollution, overuse and climate change.

Today's image shows Lake Magadi in Kenya's Great Rift Valley, where mineral-rich alkaline water supports vast blooms of algae and cyanobacteria. These microscopic organisms attract large flocks of lesser flamingos, the smallest flamingo species, which feed by filtering tiny food particles through comb-like structures in their curved bills. Their pink colour comes from pigments found in the algae they consume. Numbers at Lake Magadi change through the year as flamingos move between East Africa's alkaline lakes in search of the best feeding conditions. Along with creating a striking sunrise spectacle, these birds also highlight how closely wildlife depends on healthy lake ecosystems and the fragile balance that sustains them.