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Rincon Island, built in 1958, is a man-made island off the coast of Ventura, California. Its palm trees are deceiving; infamous for its oil spills, the island is used to extract and transport crude oil to the shore.

Part of the series, Sweet Water, this imitation desert island is one of many instances throughout Southern California where artificial landscapes and environments have been built. In the course of my travels, I found places that seemed to defy both nature and reason having been transformed from desert into lush palm-tree groves, green lawns and lakes. Like the eroding Rincon Island, most of these transformations are not likely to last.

Learn more about Ian Baguskas.