Mono Lake

On our way home from our annual camping

week at the Bear’s Lair, we drove home
by way of Mono Lake,
Mammoth Mountain,

Devil’s Postpile and Rainbow Falls,
and Yosemite.

We drove past Mono Lake on our way to Mammoth and then stopped back
at the lake on our way to Yosemite. Besides its lovely setting, Mono Lake
is remarkable for its Tufa Towers and its Brine Flies. Tufa Towers
form underwater from freshwater calcium-bearing springs entering the salty
lakewater. The decline of Mono’s water level has left these bright white
towers standing like
stalagmites in a roofless cave. Black brine flies were thick on the lake
border and in the water when we visited. The flies avoid other animals and
people. It is interesting to watch the flies scatter under the path of a
low-flying seagull. The color contrast of the black flies on the white
tufa against the bluegreen lake is strange, a little icky but interesting.

Tufa Towers, Mono Lake

Exploring Mono Lake

Black Brine Flies, Mono Lake

Mono Lake Seagulls

Brine Flies on Tufa

Mono Lake grasses and wildflowers

Images Copyright 2008 by Katy Dickinson