The Waters of Purgatory
Amazing Photos of Lake Natron

In Tanzania, there exists a strange place, where life is limited and easily threatened, and where water can kill with a touch, freezing life in its place for eternity. Lake Natron‘s waters are caustic, with extremely high levels of soda and salt as well as high temperatures – up to 120 F – and it is capable of calcifying the animals that come into contact with it. Photographer Nick Brandt has captured some amazing images of its victims, perfectly preserved and resting in their habitat like statues, as a part of his series “Across the Ravaged Land” showing now in galleries across the country and world. His images capture both the majesty of the living animals and the weirdness of their deaths, with Lake Natron’s unusually glassy waters as its backdrop. Check out some of his photos below…they are inspirational to say the least!