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(Source: http://kainyran.ru/summer/mesto-raspolozhenie)
The Kuril Lake in South Kamchatka Preserve is the second largest of the peninsula lakes. It is smaller than Kronotskoye by size, but wins with its popularity among tourists. Kronotskoye is a peaceful and contemplative place, but the Kuril Lake just boils with all kinds of life.
The cliffs are towering on the scrubland banks; thermal springs gush out in the Tyoplaya Bay; salmon clouds from the ocean come to spawn in the Ozyornaya River attracting bears to the bay. In turn, tourists come to see the bears. This is the main Kuril bait: where else can you watch the life of fearless bear community in the natural environment and in a relative safety if you follow the rules?
This lake is of volcanic origin too. About eight thousand years ago a series of large eruptions happened in southern Kamchatka. Melted streams have reached both coasts of the peninsula, the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific. Volcanic caldera-bowl gradually filled with water. Thus was born the Kuril Lake.
Blueback salmon is the basis of the local ecosystem. It is not just a lot on Kuril Lake: its population is considered the largest on the continent and it spawns for six months. The fish is born and grows up here then rolls down into the Pacific Ocean to put on weight and returns to the lake for spawning. Kuril Lake is very picturesque. Its coastal wonders are diverse even more than the harmonious Kronotskoye. Here is the active Ilyinsky Hill volcano (1578 m) in the north-east and Dikiy Greben ridge in the west; fantastic purnice barings named Kuthiny Baty in Ozyornaya River valley and rock islands like Serdtsa Alaira. Each place has its own legend. Kutkhiny Baty, for example, is no less than petrified boats of the creator of the Universe. But the island Serdtsa Alaira is the stone heart of a high mountain sunken into the ocean's highest mountain, which has long stood here and covered the sun from surrounding mountains.
Tourists, as it has been already mentioned, come to the lake primarily to meet the bears in special "bear tours." They are organized in the late summer – early autumn, when up to two hundred bears of all ages gather over the banks. This is their home. They are passionate about fishing and delicious food, and if you have a decent camera you will have magnificent wild life photography. Of course, tourists are separated from bears. Bear territory is designated with electric fence. However, in any case the vigilance should not be lost.
Author: Anna Dorozhkina
