After looking at these pictures of the salt lakes (salares) of the high Chilean desert of Atacama, please return to the picture on the right, and re-read the words on the linked page.
These lakes are global jewels. They are located in northern Chile, at altitudes from 12,000 -14,500 feet (3500 - 4500 meters.)
Of all these photographs, I think the one below comes closest to showing the magic of the salares. Please bear in mind that none of these photos have been colored or otherwise manipulated.
The gentle reflection in the black lake below makes another one of my all-time favorite pictures.
The various lakes' individual salt content and composition produce very different colors, including Caribbean blue.
The photo above, with its delicate snow reflection, is yet another of my best.
Two more favorites below:
The lakes are home to both migratory and year-round birds, especially the pink flamingos shown above. These birds get their pink color from the caratenoids in their diet of algae, crustaceans, brine shrimp, diatoms and aquatic plants.
At left is another explosion of color clarity, with an eagle circling over his aeirie.
There are a handful of settlements, and one or two towns. The main town of the desert is San Pedro de Atacama. Below is the oldest church in the region, rethatched over the centuries.
The bush pictured below is a creosote bush. The plant can be scraped off the rock, dried, and burned, somewhat like peat.
One more personal, lifelong top 10 photo below:
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