What do you think of Lake Natron and its involuntary animal museum. Here are several more photographs from Brandt's work at Lake Natron: Essentially when birds and other creatures fall or swoop into Lake Natron they become pickled and therefore they do not decompose.
#Lake natron animals in colour full
While several photographs are making the rounds, the lake is actually full of animal carcasses. No one knows for certain exactly how they die, but it appears that the extreme reflective nature of the lake's surface confuses them, and like birds crashing into plate glass windows, they crash into the lake." Speaking to NewScientist the photographer explains: Photographer Nick Brandt recently visited the area and took photographs of animals who have died after coming in contact with water at Lake Natron. The lakes conditions were formed with the help of volcanic ash which accumulated from the Great Rift valley.Īs animals swoop or jump into the water they become calcified and die. Colored bodies of water like Lake Hillier, Lake Pukaki, Lake Retba, Laguna Colorada, and Blood Falls can be pink, red, neon green, cyan blue, and even rainbow. The colour is caused by microscopic bacteria that thrive in the salty water. It’s fed by the Southern Ewaso Ng’iro River in Kenya. Lake Natron Volcano neighbour The East African Rift Valley lies in a region. This shallow but wide lake is just three metres deep but 22km wide. Tanzania has no less than four alkaline lakes, but Lake Natron is the most famous. The lakes name was selected because of natron, a naturally occurring compound made mainly of sodium carbonate and a small amount of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Lake Natron is a hypersaline and highly alkaline lake located in the eastern section of the volatile East African Rift. The only species to survive int he lake are alkaline tilapia ( Alcolapia alcalica) - an extremophile fish that has adapted to the lakes treacherous conditions. The lake has an alkalinity level between pH 9 and pH 10.5 and can reach temperatures of 60 ☌. That's because the lake is capable of turning animals and humans into stone. There are only a few upmarket and budget campsites for guests staying in this area.If you travel to Lake Natron in northern Tanzania we suggest avoiding a swim.
The resident Alkaline Tilapia has no problems adapting to these high PH levels It is an alkaline Salt Lake, with a PH up to 10.5, making it a harsh environment for many animals to survive in.In low rain seasons the water PH levels have reached 10.5 making the lake waters caustic to those animals not used to it.
Enjoy sundowners with amazing views of the lakes and Rift Valley Escarpment.Plan an overnight climb up Ol Doinyo Lengai.Hike up to the Ngare Sero Source waterfall.Walk along the lake edge for amazing photo opportunites.
#Lake natron animals in colour plus
Annual Lesser Flamingo breeding season attracts 2 million plus at the end of rainy season each year.March to April is the highest rainfall generally recorded and the lowest is generally July to September. The small rainy season runs December – February. North of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Natron is a unique addition to your safari itinerary for those who have a spare 2-4 days available and really want to get off the beaten track.ĭry season generally runs June to October and wet season November to May. Its also a great base for those looking to climb Ol Doinyo Lengai which is just 25 km south of Lake Natron. An amazing alkaline lake breeding ground for more than 2 million Lesser Flamingoes each year.