Robinsegg
Long-billed Curlew and Brine Flies
Photographed at Antelope Island State Park, Utah.
Brine flies (Ephydra gracilis) emerge in masses in the Great Salt Lake. The adult flies can rest on the water's surface. Great Salt Lake is too saline to support fish and most other aquatic species. Several types of algae live in the lake. Brine shrimp and brine flies can tolerate the high salt content and feed on the algae. Brine shrimp eggs are harvested commercially and are sold overseas as prawn food. The oft maligned brine flies do not bite or land on people and are the primary food source for many birds that migrate to the lake. For most of the summer brine flies form a ring around the entire shoreline and rarely venture more than a few feet from the water's edge. Biologists have estimated their population to be over one hundred billion.
154. Long-billed Curlew - Numenius americanus Bear River Bird Refuge US-UT 15 May 2005
Long-billed Curlew and Brine Flies
Photographed at Antelope Island State Park, Utah.
Brine flies (Ephydra gracilis) emerge in masses in the Great Salt Lake. The adult flies can rest on the water's surface. Great Salt Lake is too saline to support fish and most other aquatic species. Several types of algae live in the lake. Brine shrimp and brine flies can tolerate the high salt content and feed on the algae. Brine shrimp eggs are harvested commercially and are sold overseas as prawn food. The oft maligned brine flies do not bite or land on people and are the primary food source for many birds that migrate to the lake. For most of the summer brine flies form a ring around the entire shoreline and rarely venture more than a few feet from the water's edge. Biologists have estimated their population to be over one hundred billion.
154. Long-billed Curlew - Numenius americanus Bear River Bird Refuge US-UT 15 May 2005