Bloody Lagoon in Bolivia
The Colorado Lagoon, or Red Lagoon, is a shallow salt lake located at an altitude of 4267 m in the southwestern part of the Altiplano in Bolivia, within the Eduardo Avaroa Nature Reserve and near the border with Chile. Strewn with white islets of large deposits of brown ore, this salt lake with an area of almost 6000 hectares is less than 100 meters deep and has a blood-red hue due to the abundance of algae living in salt water.
The plankton-rich lake attracts a huge number of James flamingos, which are a rare species.
There are many large lagoons on the Altiplano, also known for their bright colors, thanks to the minerals contained in the waters. For example, Laguna Verde is known for its stunning emerald-green waters.
However, the Colorado Lagoon is the only large red lagoon in the reserve.
Most of the landscape around the lagoon is occupied by desert rocks and salt deposits.
The air temperature often drops below zero, but in summer it rises noticeably, which makes excursions to the reserve especially pleasant at this time of year.
By the way, another main attraction of Bolivia — the Uyuni salt marsh — lies nearby, so you can kill two birds with one stone at once.
The nature reserve around the Colorado Lagoon is home to many indigenous species of birds and animals that have adapted to survive and thrive in this harsh climate.
Three of the six flamingo species in the world — the Chilean, Andean and James flamingo — live in fresh lakes and salt lagoons of the reserve.
The reserve is also home to mammals such as cougars, Andean foxes and cats, domesticated llamas and alpacas, as well as reptiles, amphibians and fish.
In a word, it's fun here!