Salton Sea - round two

Aaron Bernard

I went to Salton Sea, Ca. last year for the first time to poke around and see what all the hype was about. Its an interesting place that has been photographed a lot. I went back last week with more time to spend and do a little more exploring. Its an interesting place if your into deserted desert type areas. Its a pretty big sea (35 miles by 15 miles) so there are still a few more trips out there to cover the whole thing.

I started shooting these power poles as a really nasty storm was coming in that started to provide some good drama in the sky.

Gallery is here

I think this was a farm type property:



Power Pole on the same property



Power pole at Bombay Beach (the famous part of the Salton Sea)



Inside the garage of an abandoned house in Bombay Beach

marlof

Great shots! Especially the first one is breathtaking. I love the golden colored structure below, and the contrasting dark sky above.

Frog Lady

I've driven by the Salton Sea most of my life as I traveled between my mom's and my dad's. Given what is shown in the 1st shot, it's amazing to think of that area (and the desert further south, just above the Mexican boarder) as being major farm lands. Yeah, I said farming in the desert. Irrigation is big time. It's almost a problem for these farmers when it rains.

The Salton Sea is one of the more saltier inland seas and is apparently getting saltier as irrigation drainage is piped to the sea. For all you birders in S. Cal, it is supposed to be a great stopping point for a lot of migrating birds (although, not really being a bird person my self, I couldn't tell you what or when they're there).

The Coachella and Imperial Valleys are close to or below sea level. I have to tell you, it's kinda funny driving by and looking up at the sea level mark on the side of water towers.

I drove down that way a few weeks ago for the 1st time since I got into photography and kept thinking how neat it would be to stop (but for two impatient boys in the back seat...)

thanks for bringing back the memories,

C.