Salton Sea, California’s largest lake, noted for its abundance of birds along its shorelines, and just below the water’s surface, there is also an abundance of fish.
“California’s Crown Jewel of Avian Biodiversity” – a name that scientists has called Salton Sea.
Tilapia, the only fish living, is a prolific breeder and has well adapted to the Salton Sea. It is an important source of food for birds and fish. They die-off for a lot of reasons. Since they are a native to warm freshwater areas, when the water is under 55 degrees in the Winter time, they hardly survive. Other factors involve around the ecosystem, which I am not an authority to write about it.
Salt levels in the sea are increasing due to evaporation. It is also well noted that it is 25% saltier than the ocean. Salt water is denser than fresh water and has less oxygen for the fish.
Over 70,000 shorebirds were counted in Salton Sea, making it as one of the most important places in the interior of North America. The gulls are the largest.
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Sylvia Kirkwood
January 24th, 2012
Great captures and an informative post. The gulls are huge! I haven’t been there in a long time, your post is the next best thing to a personal visit! Hope your week is going well, Ebie!
Sylvia
Sylvia Kirkwood´s last [type] ..Watery Wednesday!
Barb
January 24th, 2012
Can’t believe al those dead Tilapia! How could any aquatic life survive in such a salty environment? Looks like you saw plenty of birds (those fish were probably a draw).
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Gemma Wiseman
January 24th, 2012
Dramatic sight of these birds wheeling over the water! Gorgeous series of photos!
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Melissa
January 24th, 2012
What a wonderful ecosystem, and beautiful too. I love to watch birds.
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eileen
January 24th, 2012
Ebie, this place must be heaven for all the birds. It is a beautiful place except for the dead fish. That is a shame they are dying. Wonderful photos.
2sweetnsaxy
January 24th, 2012
I’ve heard of it but have not yet had the chance to visit. So, this is what it looks like! How sad about the dead fish.
2sweetnsaxy´s last [type] ..Watery Wednesday #170
Judy
January 24th, 2012
All the gulls! I will assume there are other birds as well, and they are probably a lot quieter…
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Indrani
January 24th, 2012
Great post for outdoor meme.
I hope your are having a great week.
Kay Davies
January 24th, 2012
I’ve been past the Salton Sea many times, but have never stopped. Next time I’m down that way, I must get some photos of it.
Meanwhile, your photos are an excellent substitute, Ebie.
K
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Cher
January 24th, 2012
the first image blew me away. so sad about the tilapia though.
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HOOTIN ANNI
January 25th, 2012
What an amazing post….beautiful images and the post itself was quite educational. I really appreciate posts like these.
My Wednesday post: UNDER THE SEA
Carol @There's Always Thyme to Cook
January 25th, 2012
Beautiful shots. Can’t believe all those tilapia. I guess the birds don’t mind.
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Mama Zen
January 25th, 2012
Amazing captures!
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Mary
January 25th, 2012
love the shots of the birds…
thanks for sharing…
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betchai
January 25th, 2012
very informative post Ebie, coupled with great pictures.
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ann nz
January 26th, 2012
so sad, the birds are not eating them? Too salty?
ann nz´s last [type] ..my world tuesday: Waitakere Ranges , New Zealand
Sallie (FullTime-Life)
January 27th, 2012
We were there during a fish die off one time — oh it smelled terrible.
Sallie (FullTime-Life)´s last [type] ..MORNING REWARD
pat
January 29th, 2012
GREAT photos! I can see the Salton Sea from where I’m sitting right now. It’s 5000 feet below me and 40 miles in the distance.