ABC Wednesday: K is for Kournas Lake

The only freshwater lake on the island of Crete, Kournas Lake is home to ducks and eels, water snakes and a rare species of bicoloured terrapin with a patterned shell, the Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemysterrapin).

The Northern end is where you'll find most of the tavernas and pedalos for hire. In the summer, as the water recedes, white sandy beaches form around its edges.

There are two springs on the southeast bank, one of which, the Mati or Amati ("eye"), is visible in late summer. The lake is fed by streams from the nearby mountains and hills, whose underground courses are interrupted by the local bedrock on the way to the sea.

For more information on the lake visit Explore Crete.

For more of my own photographs of the island visit Crete 2006.

For more K posts visit ABC Wednesday.