During the course of 2022, I had the opportunity to witness a remarkable proliferation of algae in the Tintillo area, a distinctive part of the Río Tinto watershed. Although I had observed their presence in various places before, I had never seen them in such notable abundance.

The explanation for this phenomenon lies in a unique combination of environmental factors and characteristics inherent to the ecosystem. The high concentration of minerals in the river water, combined with conditions such as temperature and exposure to sunlight, creates a conducive environment for the flourishing of these life forms. This process manifests as a fascinating testament to the ability of life to adapt remarkably to its surroundings.

The series of photographs I present below primarily documents this extraordinary phenomenon. The whimsical shapes they adopt with their aquatic dance, the transparency of the water, and the harmony between the lush greens and the characteristic reddish tones of the river were the details that most captivated my attention. In this visual set, the red, which once reigned supreme, is overshadowed by the explosion of algae life, giving rise to a more vibrant and diverse color palette.

On more than one occasion, I have heard Antonio Camoyán poetically and beautifully refer to these algae as the "hair of the Tinto."