Gathering sea salt.
These were made near Shannah (Ferry port for Masirah) actually just a sleepy little place with a few buildings serving the ferry: although it has grown in size over the last year or so & soon may even have a coffee shop & what purports to be a hotel !
The pink tinge seen is from Halobacteria they are a rather interesting form of Archaea so are not actually bacteria and very dependant on salt, freshwater would kill them instantly. Confusing ! hence the links which give a better description than I ever could. Because even belonging to the Archaea family, they don’t follow the rules and are a branch with behavioural characteristics all of their own.
Ho and the reason I got these images is because I made a quick road trip to Masirah (work) so was lucky enough to catch this salt flat at its best. I have only once seen the whole area pink, in all the years I have made the trip (no camera – typical) but at least I got the salt this time.
David A Lockwood 
Beautiful work, and an interesting subject. I like the choice of these particular three scenes.
Thank you & appreciate all your kind comments, will look forward to keeping in touch via our blogs.
Although I am leaving Oman soon, I will be posting more from the 100’s of negatives yet to be scanned.
Fascinating and beautiful, David. The only time I have seen salt flats being cultivated is in SE Asia.
Thanks,
I think for me, this one is interesting because of its size & remoteness. I remember seeing the Salt flats near Larnaca Cyprus, which in the winter months is a beautiful lake with lots of migratory birds, easily visited. This one is about 150 miles from Duqm or just over 200 miles from Sinaw: desert in both directions !
Incredible, David!
Wonderful description!
And I take personal interest having spent 8+ years of my childhood at Muscat- memorable memories!
Thank you 🙂
Always difficult explaining to people who have never experienced deserts & a total lack of fresh water for miles & miles, what it is really like. So the idea of a ferry port conjures thoughts of a thriving busy place: but as you obviously know Shannah is definitely not like that.
As for your “memorable memories!” Oman has a way of doing that for a lot of people, especially when one gets away from the tourist bits, it is what kept me here.
Keep it up, David!
What a wonderful location – endless possibilities. Really stunning images David.
Many thanks,
An area that is very isolated: the nearest village prior to this about 35 miles back and the landing stage for the ferry is about 6 miles further on from where they were made. The temperature when I made these (approx; 13.30hrs) was about 107 Fahrenheit. Unfortunately these temperatures are when the salt is at its best but not nice for a lingering stop.
An interesting place.
In the middle of nowhere, but yes it is and has been the main link with the Island of Masirah for eons of time.