• Death Valley
• Indian Wells Valley
• Kern River Valley
• Owens Valley
• Panamint Valley
• Searles Valley

• Desert Critters
• Desert Wildflowers

• More Critters

• Australia
• Mono Lake
• Zion

First, let's get something straight right now. Mono Lake is pronounced "Mow-no" meaning fly-eater in Yokut (you'll see why below). It is not named after the kissing disease so please stop pronouncing it that way. Thank you. On with the show.

I love Mono Lake. Most of my experience with it has been driving by, but even so, to me it is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Spectacular skies like the one pictured are a daily occurance. I've also seen marvelous sunsets, beautiful snow-scapes, and awesome mist skirting the lake.

I know I will not die soon, because I have not yet grounded a kayak on one of its shores and set up camp. Or at least a picnic, in case of wind.

In the Summer, Mono Lake is home to hundreds of nesting gulls. They like it because it's salty, and there are billions of tasty alkali flies (I love saying alkali fly.) to munch on.

On one visit, I stopped for lunch and made friends with one gull in particular who came up to my car as soon as I parked. I named my new buddy Fred, because all animals in my family, male or female, must be named after my great-grandpa Fred. Hey, I don't make the rules, I just abide by them. You can see Fred on my "other critters" page. I admit he was probably more interested in my cherry pie than me, but it is always nice to share lunch with somebody. I guess maybe it is possible to get tired of alkali flies.

Yep, these are the flies. There is a thick layer of them along the shoreline in the Summer. Seagulls stroll along and peck up beak-fuls to their hearts content. Although they look gross, they are not annoying like most flies. They leave you alone and mind their business of floating on the water, waiting to become a snack for somebody.

I suppose I should close with at least a small mention of the tufa towers, because they are a famous landmark in the lake. They make good perches for birds and subjects for photographers. If you want more info on the tufa towers, the local visitor center, with the best views of the lake, has loads of it. That is all.