Mono Lake was formed over 700,000 years ago as a terminal lake in a basin that has no outlet to the ocean. The lack of an outlet makes the lake very alkaline and salty, allowing only brine
shrimp and alkaline flies to live in its waters. It is an incredible place that is a huge wildlife sanctuary for thousands of birds.
At times the lake takes on this
weird green color, which is actually kind of pretty. The morning I took this picture, it was 7:00 in the morning and the wind was blowing so fiercely that I nearly blew down.
One of the little islands out in the lake has become a seagull rookery. Thousands of seagulls migrate to the lake to nest and raise
their young.
Strange rock towers known as
tufa rise up out of the lake and line the shore giving the lake an otherworldly atmosphere. The towers reveal where streams once flowed below Mono Lake. As the lake receded, the towers were exposed and the streams eventually dried up.
In 1991, Mono Lake was declared a reserve for the nearly 2 million birds made up of 100 different species, that stop here during migration.
In 1994, the California State Water
Resource Board set a target lake level of 6392 feet, which decreased the amount of water Los Angeles County can divert from the streams that feed the lake. The goal is to restore habitat for migratory birds and protect the lake from further damage.
It was an interesting day at the lake, especially because it involved conserving habitat for birds. I love birds; they are one of my favorite animals. But I also love hamburgers and ice cream and had to stop at the world famous Mono Cone for an Ortega Chile burger and chocolate swirl ice cream cone; the very best! It is supposed to snow tomorrow, so I need to do some serious thinking and find a place to stay.
Mono Lake was formed over 700,000 years ago as a terminal lake in a basin that has no outlet to the ocean. The lack of an outlet makes the lake very alkaline and salty, allowing only brine shrimp and alkaline flies to live in its waters. It is an incredible place that is a huge wildlife sanctuary for thousands of birds. 
At times the lake takes on this weird green color, which is actually kind of pretty. The morning I took this picture, it was 7:00 in the morning and the wind was blowing so fiercely that I nearly blew down.
One of the little islands out in the lake has become a seagull rookery. Thousands of seagulls migrate to the lake to nest and raise their young. 
Strange rock towers known as tufa rise up out of the lake and line the shore giving the lake an otherworldly atmosphere. The towers reveal where streams once flowed below Mono Lake. As the lake receded, the towers were exposed and the streams eventually dried up.
In 1991, Mono Lake was declared a reserve for the nearly 2 million birds made up of 100 different species, that stop here during migration. 
In 1994, the California State Water Resource Board set a target lake level of 6392 feet, which decreased the amount of water Los Angeles County can divert from the streams that feed the lake. The goal is to restore habitat for migratory birds and protect the lake from further damage. 
It was an interesting day at the lake, especially because it involved conserving habitat for birds. I love birds; they are one of my favorite animals. But I also love hamburgers and ice cream and had to stop at the world famous Mono Cone for an Ortega Chile burger and chocolate swirl ice cream cone; the very best! It is supposed to snow tomorrow, so I need to do some serious thinking and find a place to stay.