Mono Lake’s towers are known as tufa. They are the product of interaction between minerals bubbling up from freshwater springs and alkaline lake water. (Christopher Reynolds / LAT)
The edges of Mono Lake hum with millions of alkali flies, like those at the base of this spindly plant. The flies are a major food source for area birds. (Christopher Reynolds / LAT)
After decades of gradual depletion, the lake’s water level has been slowly rising since the 1990s. (Christopher Reynolds / LAT)
Among dozens of bird species that linger at the lake, many nest atop tufa towers. (Christopher Reynolds / LAT)
A close-up look at Mono Lake’s tufa towers. (Christopher Reynolds / LAT)
