Birds

Between Earth and Sky

Our bird galleries document flight, color, and instinct across the globe's skies and shorelines — from solitary waders to sweeping flocks in motion. These images capture birds as symbols of freedom and fragility, framed against the ever-changing backdrop of their habitats.

Greater Flamingos of Miankaleh

Mazandaran, Iran - Birds Collection

Designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Miankaleh Peninsula and its expansive lagoon serve as one of the most critical wintering stations in Central Asia for migratory waterbirds. This photograph documents a vast, dense colony of Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) gathering in the shallow, brackish waters along the Caspian Sea coast. Sheltered from the open sea by a narrow strip of sand dunes, this highly productive wetland provides an abundant sanctuary where thousands of flamingos feed and rest throughout the colder months. The image captures the sheer scale and ethereal beauty of this seasonal gathering, celebrating Miankaleh as an indispensable jewel of international avian conservation and living natural heritage.

Photographer - Ali Azadeh

Dalmatian Pelican of Chahbahar

Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran - Birds Collection

Set against the dramatic coastal landscape of Chabahar along the Gulf of Oman, this photograph captures the commanding presence of the Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus), one of the world's heaviest flying bird species. Migrating from northern breeding grounds to winter in the warm, nutrient-rich waters of southern Iran, these magnificent avians rely heavily on the region's pristine intertidal mudflats and mangrove ecosystems. This visual study emphasizes the striking contrast between the bird’s soft, silvery plumage and the rugged, arid terrain of the Makran coast, documenting the vital role Chabahar plays as a global sanctuary for vulnerable migratory waterfowl.

Photographer-Ali Azadeh