I doubt that there has ever been a mutant vehicle at Burning Man more known and loved than El Pulpo Mechanico, the steam punk octopus. El pulpo was born in a junk yard in Eureka, California.
As noted in my last post, I’ve been sorting through and categorizing my Burning Man photos from the 11 years I have attended the event: 2004-5-6-7-9-10-12-13-14-15 and 17. I’ve created 15 categories and will do posts on several of my favorites from each category over the next several weeks.
Burning Man’s home, the Black Rock Desert, wasn’t always a desert. 15,000 years ago it was part of the huge, 500 foot deep Lake Lahontan. Given this, it isn’t surprising that many mutant vehicles take on an appearance of having once swum in its murky waters, or boated across them. Creatures range from an octopus to a hermit crab; Boats from a sailing ship to a yacht. Today’s post features some of the more fishy things about Burning Man.
Big teeth seem to be a requirement of the fish that swim across the Playa on wheels. This one resembles an angler fish that dangles what appears to be a tasty morsel right in front of its mouth.This one has great chompers. Is that blood on its teeth? (Photo by Tom Lovering.)Another perspective of the fish showing its scales. (Photo by Tom Lovering.)Another angler fish. This one seems to know what Burners want, a disco ball, and appears to have been successful at attracting dinner. Is a little pole dancing in order?No people on the menu? How about another fish? The tongue seems to promise an interesting ride.Not surprisingly, a shark was roaming the Playa at night. Should we break out in a Jimmy Buffet song?More like a crocodile. But it has the large teeth.Big city people will be familiar with articulated busses. This is a Burning Man equivalent: an articulated fish.Small teeth, perhaps, but a fancy pink eye.A guppy, perhaps?I decided that this might be a streamlined squid, but I could be wrong. Land speed records, BTW, have been set on the Black Rock Desert.Do you know what this is? It’s a narwhal.A closer look. A narwhal’s tusk is made of ivory. I like the eye.Here’s the long view.No question about this fellow. It’s a hermit crab.I never expected to find a full scale sailing ship at Burning Man.Or a yacht. This is the Christina. How about a river boat plus mermaid? (Photo by Tom Lovering.)Another sailing ship of yore. Nevada Burners created this ship.Ready to float down the Nile, perhaps.I’ll finish this post off with a couple more photos of El Pulpo. At night.
NEXT POST: Peggy provides her perspective on our hike down the Pacific Crest Trail last summer.
Cute, Craig. But the danger of being run over is greater. Or crashing into some one on your bike because you are busy gawking! As for the ship, it was built for Burning Man. 🙂 –Curt
Turn you loose with your camera and I suspect you would go crazy, Dina. It would be fun to see what you came up with. The rest of the Fab Four would have a blast as well. Thanks. –Curt
These just bowl me over, Curt. I was planning on trying to figure out which creature I liked best – but then I scrolled down and saw the different ships – they are incredible!!
Hadn’t thought of them that way, AC, but you are absolutely right on the piranhas. We caught a few on the Amazon and actually had their skulls around the house for a while. 🙂 –Curt
Yes it does, Dave. It is also driving by the fact the the Black Rock Desert was once covered by a huge glacial lake. And the fauna was amusing to say the least. –Curt
So many wonderful fish! I love the variety and these are all done so well. I assume you photograph the best, but I am still impressed with how many truly wonderful mutant vehicles there are. My fave might be the hermit crab, but I so enjoy the deep sea fish and the boats are a delight out there in the desert.
I do photograph the ones that capture my attention, Crystal. Most of them are surprisingly good, however. You have to get permission to bring a mutant vehicle to Burning Man and the organization requires people to submit plans or at least drawings for what they are proposing. Numbers are limited so BMO tries to support only the best. The hermit crab had a real sense of humor attached. –Curt
Wandering through Time and Place 
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Seeing these fearsome fish in the desert gets me thinking about Tremers. Makes you want to step lightly. 🙂 🙂
That fully rigged ship is awesome. Where do they get that stuff? Amazon? 🙂
Cute, Craig. But the danger of being run over is greater. Or crashing into some one on your bike because you are busy gawking! As for the ship, it was built for Burning Man. 🙂 –Curt
What fabulous gallery, Curt. Such good fun! 🙂 I’d love to see it for myself.
Turn you loose with your camera and I suspect you would go crazy, Dina. It would be fun to see what you came up with. The rest of the Fab Four would have a blast as well. Thanks. –Curt
These just bowl me over, Curt. I was planning on trying to figure out which creature I liked best – but then I scrolled down and saw the different ships – they are incredible!!
Can you imagine the amount of work that must go into creating the different vehicles. And that sailing ship: I wholeheartedly agree, G! –Curt
You are the only person I’ve ever met who attended this event. I’m enjoying your posts.
Thanks, Jacqui. More to come!
The piranha teeth do seem to be a recurring theme. Still love El Pulpo.
Hadn’t thought of them that way, AC, but you are absolutely right on the piranhas. We caught a few on the Amazon and actually had their skulls around the house for a while. 🙂 –Curt
My 6 year old grandson would love the sharks. He is already an expert on them!
Fun, Andrew. Most kids I know fall for dinosaurs. –Curt
Puts a whole new spin on the concept of “ship of the desert”. Complete with fauna.
Yes it does, Dave. It is also driving by the fact the the Black Rock Desert was once covered by a huge glacial lake. And the fauna was amusing to say the least. –Curt
So many wonderful fish! I love the variety and these are all done so well. I assume you photograph the best, but I am still impressed with how many truly wonderful mutant vehicles there are. My fave might be the hermit crab, but I so enjoy the deep sea fish and the boats are a delight out there in the desert.
I do photograph the ones that capture my attention, Crystal. Most of them are surprisingly good, however. You have to get permission to bring a mutant vehicle to Burning Man and the organization requires people to submit plans or at least drawings for what they are proposing. Numbers are limited so BMO tries to support only the best. The hermit crab had a real sense of humor attached. –Curt