The western freshwater portion of Lake Balkhash in Kazakhstan

iss074e0437897 (April 6, 2026) --- The western portion of Lake Balkhash in Kazakhstan is freshwater, fed predominantly by the Ili River and bordered by woodlands that support a wide range of wildlife, including migratory birds, fish, deer, and ongoing efforts to reintroduce the Caspian tiger. The eastern portion of Lake Balkhash (not pictured) is more saline due to its greater depth, arid climate, and the narrow Uzynaral Strait, which limits the inflow of freshwater between the two basins. The International Space Station was orbiting 267 miles above Kazakhstan at the time of this photograph. Credit: NASA