This was our second trip to the Salton Sea in California, so all the dead fish lining the shore were no surprise.
Since I’ve decided to only photograph beautiful things, I had to think about it twice before photographing the dead fish, but I do think they are beautiful in an odd kind of way.
They are so interesting! It probably helps that it is winter and so they don’t smell at all.
Last year I photographed close-ups of the fish, so this year I tried to make a composition that shows the enormous number of dead fish in their environment. But getting down close to the fish means you can only barely see the water.
Please click the image to view a larger version.
You can find out more about the Salton Sea in the long post I wrote last year.
Hello Anne!
I’m new in photography and have been learning a lot with your blog!
It is amazing!!
Could you tell me what lens did you use?
Hi Camila, thank you! It’s great to hear you are learning alot with the resources here. For this particular photo, I used the 18-55mm lens on my Sony NEX6.
Anne, I am enjoying your photos which I just found today, and your blog as well. Consider stopping in to see Madera Canyon which is south of Tucson. The scenery there especially in the box canyon is great for photography. Happy shooting! pam.
Hi Pam, thanks for the recommendation. We’ve already left the Tucson area, but Madera canyon is on the list for next year. I appreciate your visit and comments.
Wow! That is a lot of dead fish. But, it’s still a great photo. Thanks for sharing.
I think the dead fish are pretty interesting! Thanks for your visit and comments Mary.
Wow! That’s just an insane amount of dead fish.
I know, it is!! It’s a pretty unique scene. Thanks for your comments Devlin.
This is a part of a natural process, as you’ve mentioned above. Interesting point on how the salinity continues to rise in the Salton Sea, which I have never visited. Would love to someday get there.
I like this image, nicely done… and it doesn’t smell. 😉
Ha, so glad the image doesn’t smell, that would be really bad!! I think the Salton Sea is a really interesting place to visit. There are lots of campsites and other interesting things nearby like Salvation Mountain. Thanks for your visit and comments Jimi.
I agree this is a disturbing site, but getting more and more common in our polluted and chemical filled world. What is the REASON all these fish perished? Thanks
Hi Sharon, It’s pretty natural actually. The fish die every summer when it gets too hot, depleting the oxygen levels, and the fish suffocate. It happens every year. Because the sea has no outlet, it gets saltier every year and now the tilapia are the only fish who can live in it.
I’m curious as to where on the Salton Sea you were. We camped on the eastern shore about three weeks ago. Thousands of birds, but nothing like this. This is quite distressing to see.
Hi Judy, we were at Corvina Beach on the east side of the sea. Perhaps they wash up in different areas, I’m not sure. I’ve seen the fish both times we visited there. Thanks for your visit and comments!
From what I’ve heard of the smell during the warmer months… you certainly chose a good time to visit! Probably much worse than the salmon smell in the Fall you might be used to.
I’ve heard that it can smell bad in summer, but these fish are just skin and bones, so I’m thinking it couldn’t be as bad as the rotting salmon smell!
You’ll just have to stop there again on your way home when it is a bit hotter for a comparison! 😉
I just watched a great documentary on the Salton Sea, they said the dead fish and birds can be dangerous to your health. Went back and checked out your previous post, you portrayed a very unhospitable place in such a nice way with your photos.
Hi Greg, ya, probably dead animals in general are not particularly good to be around, but you know these fish are pretty much just bones. I wouldn’t eat them or anything. Although I understand people do still fish in the Salton Sea…