Jon McCormack. Takeoff.

Over the shimmering expanse of Lake Magadi, flocks of flamingos rise in a synchronized ballet, their pink wings luminous against the stark geometry of the alkaline waters. Below them, mineral-rich shallows fracture into patterns of turquoise, jade, and white, etched like stained glass across the lake’s surface. As the birds sweep over these shifting mosaics, their reflections double the spectacle—living brushstrokes in constant motion above a canvas painted by chemistry, light, and time. In this union of avian grace and elemental design, the scene becomes both fleeting and eternal, a reminder of nature’s artistry at its most vivid.

Jon McCormack is a photographer whose work is deeply informed by his upbringing in the stark, untamed landscapes of the Australian Outback, where early life among sheep and cattle fostered a profound respect for nature’s rhythms of resilience and fragility. Beginning as a teenager photographing quiet, often-overlooked moments in the bush, he developed a photographic voice rooted in patience, attention, and ecological empathy. Today, his images explore the intricate patterns and emotional textures of wild places, seeking to inspire both wonder and a sense of responsibility, and are widely published and used by global conservation organizations to advocate for the protection of fragile ecosystems. 

Follow Jon on Instagram @jonmccormackphoto.