Natural history

Phalarope murals underway at Mono Lake

Argentinian mural artist arrives in Lee Vining The Mono Basin community is pleased to welcome artist Franco “Vato” Cervato, who has traveled from his home in Cordoba, Argentina, to paint several murals in Lee Vining. His mural in Miramar, on…

Phalarope mural to further connect saline lakes

The sight of phalaropes flocking at Mono Lake is truly something to behold. Inspired by both the phalaropes as well as the coordinated international efforts to protect their saline lake habitats in North and South America—we have hatched a plan…

Naturalist notes

This winter, poconip fog reigned in the Mono Basin. From the first snow in early November to the lengthening days of March, if we weren’t catching monster snowflakes on our tongues from snowstorm after snowstorm, we were enveloped in a…

Notable poconip fog at Mono Lake

This winter has not only been notable for the incredible amounts of snow that have fallen, but also for the poconip fog. We’ve had more than 40 days of poconip fog since November 1, 2022, which is the record in…

It’s flower season at Mono Lake

Despite an abnormally dry winter, flowers are once again blooming in the Mono Basin. Some are blooming later than in a typical year, but we are still seeing a full array of beautiful colors by Mono Lake and its tributary…

Naturalist notes

Have you felt the joyful warmth of the high desert sun in early summer at Mono Lake? Imagine sitting by the lakeshore on a calm clear morning as the sun rises. You can hear California Gulls calling overhead, a Sage…

Naturalist notes

Winter in the Mono Basin has more dark hours than light, chillingly cold air, and a silence so profound it feels physical. It is either a time of rest, of moving slowly, of torpor to reduce the toll simply existing…
Fall colors along Mill Creek looking toward the east side of the Sierra Nevada.

Mono Basin fall color update

The fall colors keep getting better and better! The Tioga Pass area and Conway Summit are at their peak color now—visit in the next few days to enjoy these spectacular spots. Lundy Canyon is looking beautiful, with green leaves closer…
Ryan Garrett looking down toward Mono Lake through a spotting scope scanning for phalaropes.

Persistence, patience, and phalaropes

Relationships can be complicated. Sometimes, you fall for someone who is simply not into you. Sometimes it’s the other way around. We’ve all been there, and know that these complicated relationships are often formative and have enduring impacts. Before interning for the Mono Lake Committee, I presumed…