I Love Mono Lake, A Lot

I’ve been to Mono Lake a few times over the years, both in summer and in snow. I knew the place was special, but haven’t had extended time to really explore the area. Some of my favorite images are from my short visits to this beautifully unusual lake. Covering over 70 square miles, Mono Lake lies between the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Great Basin.

I recently spent two full days at Lee Vining, a tiny town that is literally a stone’s throw over Hwy 395 from Mono Lake. I found that there is much more to the lake than the official designated Sate Park areas and attractions.

The geology and ecosystem are incredibly unique and diverse. The lake is home to tens of thousands of nesting and migrating birds throughout the year. There are no fish in the lake. Its volcanic history can be seen everywhere you look.

The size and salinity often make for excellent picture opportunities. As frequently happens, storm clouds developed out over the lake the days I was there. The lake reflected skies filled with purples, oranges and reds – and even rainbows – all along the western and northern shores. Simply put, it was awesome!

The Mono Lake Committee, a non-profit organization that supports Mono Lake and educates the public in a variety of ways, has a store location right there off the highway in Lee Vining. The staff were all enthusiastic, knowledgeable and helpful. I was quite impressed with the store and organization – became a member while I was there. I highly encourage anyone to check out the Lee Vining location or go to www.monolake.org for everything you could ever want to know about the lake and/or surrounding area.

I love this place, a lot.

* To see the rest of my recent and past images from Mono Lake, go to http://www.mattludin.com/galleries/landscape/mono-lake/.