(Source: http://virhos.net/group45963033/post1897.html)

Bogdinsko-Baskunchaksky Reserve is one of the youngest in Russia, it has existed since 1997. Even by the name you can guess the two main natural objects protected by the reserve – the Bolshoe Bogdo Mountain and the salt Baskunchak Lake.

To be more precise, only a part of the lake belongs to the conservation area. Bogdinsko-Baskunchaksky area is the main and the largest cluster of the reserve. The Bolshoe Bogdo Mountain is one of the southernmost mountains of the Urals, the highest peak of the Caspian lowland.

The mountain has more than two dozen caves, and in addition, it is growing by about a millimeter each year. The fact is that a salt dome lays at the base of the mountain, and it breaks up through soft lime rock.
 
This dome has the same nature as the salt Baskunchak Lake: the mountain is connected with the inexhaustible salt mines of the unique water reservoir. The area of the lake makes up about 110 square kilometers, it maximum depth is about three meters. But a huge salt layer thousands meters deep lays under it. The lake water is saturated with salt, and everything around it is “salty”, so an amazing alien landscape is created.
The second cluster of the reserve with a much more modest area is called “Zeleny Sad” (“Green Garden”).

“Semi-cultured oasis of forest vegetation” – thus the reserve staff describes this place. Its territory is rich in rare Red Book plants, including tulips that bloom in May in an uninterrupted colored carpet.

Besides, bird migration routes pass above the reserve. Birds stop here during flights, spend winter or live here permanently. There are a total of 227 species, including rare and protected ones: Dalmatian pelican, White-eyed pochard, Pallid harrier, Levant sparrow hawk, Long-legged buzzard, Steppe eagle, Greater spotted eagle, Imperial eagle, White-tailed eagle, Lesser kestrel, Demoiselle crane, Little bustard, Stone curlew, Sociable lapwing, Black-winged stilt, Oyster catcher, Avocet, Eurasian curlew, Black-winged pratincole, Great black-headed gull, Eagle-owl, Great gray shrike.