The King's salt.
And this is where they got that salt; a shallow hypersaline lake seven times saltier than the ocean. It was an important source of salt for the earliest Americans, then the Spanish, Mexicans, and Texans as each arrived. It continues to serve as a source of salt for native animals. It's a protected wildlife preserve now. Even as salty as that water is, it is an important stopover for migrating birds, and winter home to 10% of the world's population of long-billed curlews.
The preserve is a half-hour drive from our house. The lake itself is about a one-mile walk from the parking area, so that cuts down on the amount of visitors. Once you get to the lake, it's a crunchy walk along the shore on the dried salt.
Off to one side, there is a little freshwater spring.
Birds on the way in and out.
Long-billed curlews in the water.
And least sandpipers along the shoreline.
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