ISS039-E-19482 (9 May 2014) — One of the Expedition 39 crew members aboard the Earth-orbiting International Space Station used a 400mm lens to take this photograph of Venice Lagoon, Italy on May 9, 2014. A narrow barrier island protects the Lagoon of Venice from storm waves in the northern Adriatic Sea, and breakwaters protect inlets to the lagoon. Red tiles of the roofs of the edifices on the island of Venice contrast with the grays of the mainland sister city of Mestre. The cities are joined by a prominent causeway. Another causeway joins the island to the airport (top right). Small bright agricultural fields of well drained soils (top left) contrast with the darker vegetation of back bay swamps where fishing is a popular pastime. Dense urban populations on its shores and heavy use by craft of all kinds result in turbid water in the northern half of the lagoon.