Laguna Chaxa

Laguna Chaxa is a bright pool ringed by a crust of jagged white salt with volcanoes standing far off on the horizon. In addition to sitting in a photogenic location this lagoon is home to flamingos that feed here through the year. Three different species wander around the shallows looking for food, so there is almost always a pop of pink against all that white and blue. There is an endless supply of capture worthy views for both landscape and wildlife centred photography. The surface stays calm for most of the day so the reflections are fun to experiment with here. Ideally try to come for the end of the day. As the sun drops, the light turns warm and the eastern peaks begin to glow. The salt takes on soft colour, and the flamingos become more active. A telephoto helps, since the birds often sit well out across the water, though many feed quite close to the trail. Getting here is a fairly straightforward drive from San Pedro de Atacama on desert roads. The the lagoon is part of a nature reserve run by the local Indigenous Atacameño community, so you will need to buy a ticket, and booking ahead is recommended. There are flat marked paths and boardwalks that let you explore the area, but make sure to stay on the trails since the whole area is a fragile ecosystem. Aim to tay for sunset and let the desert colours take over. (San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta, Chile)