Stunning image of flamingos gathered as one flamingo the 'holy grail' of wildlife photography

The incredible moment was captured by Bobby Haas, an aerial photographer in Yucatan, Mexico, in the north east of the country.

He described the formation, one of several hundred photographs he had taken flying above the flock, as the "holy grail" of wildlife photography.

He photographed the flock of flamingos from a helicopter when the birds spontaneously formed in a giant version of themselves.

As he was finishing the 30 minute shoot and his helicopter was about to leave, he turned for a final shot and noticed how the birds had formed.

The moment was so fleeting Mr Haas, a National Geographic photographer, could only capture one picture, before they dispersed.

"I was just leaving when I noticed that the flock was moving into a shape resembling a flamingo," said Mr Haas, who is afraid of heights.

"I told the pilot to whip around but go in slowly, since if you startle the flock they will splinter.

"I guess this was a case of a real bird's eye view."

He only realised what he had captured after developing the images several months later.

"It's the holy grail in photography when you capture an image you've never seen before and may never see again.

"The reaction to this photo has been remarkable. Some people have actually said that the image is divine intervention and proof that there is a God."

"It really was a very spiritual moment."

Mr Haas, a former investment tycoon from Dallas, Texas, has specialised in aerial wildlife photography since 2002.

Two of his subsequent books have become two of the most successful and books to be published by National Geographic.