A natural domestic phenomenon, Lake Kayashskoye or Opukskoye, in ancient times was considered a mystical place because of the color of the water. It changes throughout the year from pale pink to purple-violet. And the salt mined here smells of violets.
Contemporary photographers are sometimes reproached for using Photoshop: their pictures from Koyash are too unusual. But in reality, the color of the water is the same as in reality.
Fantastic place
The pink lake is located in the Crimea. In the extreme east of the peninsula, in the arid Kerch steppe, there is an amazing place, Koyashskoye Lake. The name comes from the word "koyash", which means "sun". The solar reservoir water is very salty. Otherwise, the lake is called Opuksky, by the name of the mountain where the attraction is located.
Despite the increased salinity, there is life in the reservoir. Salt concentration is much lower in spring. At this time, waterfowl arrive, for which the local plankton is a real delicacy. With increasing salinity, water becomes too aggressive for birds.
Fauna and flora
The depths are inhabited by unicellular organisms. The merit of the microscopic algae is the unusual color. Artemia crustaceans, bacteria survive even in the summer, when the lake dries up almost completely and salty dust is carried by the wind for several kilometers. The steppe is dying out at this time.
The depth of Lake Koyashskoye is not great, about a meter. Occupies a landmark of 5 square kilometers. Once the reservoir separated from the Black Sea. Now they are separated by a hundred-meter isthmus.
In spite of everything, the reservoir is amazingly beautiful: corals, winding shores, rose water. Tourists seem to find themselves in a fantastic world. The shores of the reservoir are fragrant with violets. This is the merit of salt crystals. In spring, the natural chameleon is distinguished by the pink color of the water, and the shores are strewn with flowers. In summer, moisture takes on a deep red hue.
When to visit
In the autumn season, there is nothing unusual in the landscape, because only during the flowering of the Dunaliella salina algae from the end of April to the beginning of June does the reservoir transform. As the water temperature rises, the color of the moisture becomes more intense.
Since 1998 the lake has been part of the Opuksky nature reserve. The mud from the bottom of the tank is curative. It is distinguished by its specific smell. Rapa, once on the skin, has a positive effect on the state of the whole organism.
They treat joint pains and skin diseases with the help of mud. The composition of brine is closest to the Saki mud.
Behavior rules
However, the wonderful place is far from harmless. Water oversaturated with salt, which gets on the wounds, causes a strong burning sensation. The salt crust collapses under the weight of the body, so the feet get stuck in the mud.
- It is dangerous to come to the lake without shoes: there are many sharp salt crystals at the bottom.
- Only rubber shoes are washed. Traces of salt remain on the soles of the sandals.
- It is unacceptable to touch the eyes and skin with hands wet from the lake water. Be sure to take a supply of fresh water with you.
To get high-quality artistic shots, it is better to be photographed in light-colored clothes.
