Mono Lake Tufa, a photo from California, West

Photographer's Note

Mark Twain's facetious description of Nature's remarkable Mono Lake area scenery, was made before the Lake's fascinating Tufa towers were visible.

"Tufa is essentially common limestone. What is uncommon about this limestone is the way it forms. Underwater springs rich in calcium mix with lake water rich in carbonates (the stuff in baking soda). As the calcium comes in contact with carbonates in the lake, a chemical reaction occurs resulting in 'calcium carbonate limestone'. This mixture settles out of a solution as a solid around the springs, and over the course of decades to centuries, a Tufa tower will grow. Tufa towers grow exclusively underwater, some to heights over 30 feet. The reason visitors see so much Tufa around Mono Lake today is because the Lake level fell dramatically after the City of Los Angeles started water diversions in 1941, via a aqueduct for their thirsty city."
----- reference: www.monolake.org

The water battles between the Eastern Sierra inhabitants and the City of Los Angeles started in 1913. The flick 'Chinatown' starring Jack Nicholson is a blend of history and fiction about the water war.

jhm, ikeharel, danos, dale54, PiotrF, aliabazari, PaulVDV, ls7902, pili51 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jhm (211736) 2014-10-31 6:35

Hello Ray,

Almost a fairy tale picture out of one painting of a great master with very pleasant soft colours.
Sharpness and clarity makes the picture attractive.
Excellent presentation, and splendid colours, very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

Tue (92312) 2014-10-31 6:46

Hello Ray,
The shapes that nature has created here are truly amazing. You captured it here in a wonderful sunlight and the very blue sky is a great background. Thanks for sharing!
Lars

Silvio1953 (221493) 2014-10-31 7:15

Ciao Ray, an other great view of thois fantastic lake, superb sky, wonderful colors, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

miumiu (6117) 2014-10-31 8:32

Hi Ray,
Breathtaking and very impressive place.
The rock formations are incredibly fantastic at Mono Lake. Yes, this is a remarkable scenery and you presented it very nicely.
The colours are wonderful on your pic.
Have a nice weekend
Agnes

ikeharel (113273) 2014-10-31 8:45

Hello Ray,
A most interesting rocks formation on the old dry lake, and a great contrast to the blue sky on the day taken.
Magnificent nature's sculptures.
Have a nice friday,
Ike

danos (110407) 2014-10-31 9:01

Hello Ray,
great the view of this 'forest' of different size and and high limestone,with teh brilliant light of the day to enhance them even more.I like the created details as the contrast of the colours this brilliant day.

Regards,Danos

Gigidusud (21679) 2014-10-31 9:58

Hello Ray,
Amazing rocks formation, nice contrast against the blue sky. Well done!
Best regards.
Gigi

eldancer1 (36343) 2014-10-31 10:05

Awesome rock formation and thank you for the wonderful information. Nicely captured especially against the dark blue sky. Sharp details and wonderful colors. Well done, tfs.

dale54 (17768) 2014-10-31 14:30

ray hello..wonderful scene..this color contrast with FG against this BG blue makes this stunning! tfs. dale

PiotrF (54572) 2014-10-31 16:50

Hello Ray,
this is very impressive place.Nice view of amazing rocks formation.Good framing and lovely natural colors.Nice shot.
Regards
Piotr

aliabazari (22099) 2014-10-31 20:16

Hi dear Ray
Beautiful and majestic landscapes. The very lovely and attractive. Well performed. Thanks for sharing

emka (158058) 2014-11-01 0:23

Hello Ray, Another fine view of this incredible place. I remember reading about the water level there. Some islands are now part of the land? Fantastic colours.

WArm regrad s MAlgo

serp2000 (47063) 2014-11-01 7:31

Hi, Ray,
Great! This landscape reminds me some decorations for a fantastic of fairy tale movie. If there is Mono Lake in California, where is Stereo lake, for example? ;)
The colors are superb, but why the sharpness is so so? I believe your camera could gives perfect quality.

Best wishes,
Serghei

PaulVDV (62846) 2014-11-01 13:09

Hello Ray,
What an extraordinary alien landscape!
The first thing I think of is solidified lava. But you note gives a totally different explanation.
Beautifully presented under that blue sky.
Best regards, Paul

ls7902 (7380) 2014-11-01 16:40

Very interesting limestone formations unveil by lowering of water table caused by our demand for water.

wolf38 (30) 2014-11-02 10:30

Hello Ray. An interesting photo with the typical rock formations at the edge of the lake. The photo reminds me of my stay in the US many years ago. Overall, a remarkable photo.
Best rgds, Wolfgang.

dta (98848) 2014-11-02 11:53

Hello Ray ,
Increduble landscape ! These rocky formations are amazing . Splendid contrast with the blue sky .
Regards

pili51 (1853) 2014-11-04 6:29

Howdy Ray,
You're capturing well this landscape by a good angle and ecellent tone/clarit.
These rock formations are incredible, and the sky is a perfect compliment,And, the mountain range in the distance draws out a good atmosphere as well as the streaming clouds in blue sky.
Very nicely done!
Thanks for sharing, a top shot.

Kind regards, from BCN
Pili

jemaflor (147046) 2014-11-07 9:07

Hi Ray,
impressive landscape with these rocks, good effect with perfect sahrpness and contrast, tfs.