Saturday, June 12, 2010

Evening on the Lake

Some tufa formations along the shoreline of Mono Lake in the Eastern Sierras, just as the sun set behind the peaks off to the west. The eastern entrance to Yosemite is just over there past the lake.  These towers are actually mineral deposits that formed as springs bubbled up from underground when this spot was under water, not all that long ago.  A thirsty Los Angeles drained Owens Lake down river from here in it's quest for water earlier last century (if you've seen the classic "Chinatown", that movie is loosely based around the story) and Mono Lake dropped to a fraction of it's former size also.  Efforts are under way now to let it refill to something like it's original size.  A much-photographed location, but you have to have some time in the area or be very lucky to nail an exceptional shot in one visit. This one's o.k. but I hope to get back for another stab at it.

10 comments:

Gary Keimig said...

great shot Mark. That is an amazing area.

betchai said...

i love Mono Lake, it feels like in another planet there, the first time we were there, it was already dark, the next time we went, we spent 2 days in the area, but we got rained out :( so hope to get back there also like you and take another chance. your photo is still a wonderful shot for me.

storybeader said...

love the sun's rays, and the reflection in the water!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic photo, how can you call it just "o.k." :-)

Gaelyn said...

Mono Lake is rather eerie yet your capture is stunning right down to the reflection.

Joanne Olivieri said...

The reflection is great. It has a different and unique flavor.

The Retired One said...

Breathtaking! It looks like a stone castle!

Ashrays said...

Lovely reflections, for the abundance of water present is still has a look of being rather an arid and and tough environment.

I know what you mean about another stab at it and I bet you have it in your minds-eye exactly how it will look when all the elements come together. I know I do about one of my favourite locations, but after a year it still hasn't emerged yet.

Unknown said...

Amazing formation Mark and very interesting post for me.
Beautiful image too and i'm sure a large view would let us appreciate better all the "rocks" details.

Patrick

Ashley said...

Very nice! I love the reflection and all of the color in the sky. I hope to take a trip up there one day!