This strange formation is caused by the slow cooling of lava which basically crystalizes.
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The pile below is formed from columns falling and breaking
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One of the broken columns, showing the hexagonal crystal-like shape
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The curved area was caused by uneven lava flow
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Unusual colored, assumed deadly mushroom growing nearby.
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Wildflowers in abundance here too.
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We were there!
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More of the lava flow overlooking the San Joaquin River
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The San Joaquin River
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Stellars Jay in profile
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A bee with markings that look like a face
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There was still plenty of snow left in the pine forests, plus haze from the fires to the south.
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Mammoth statue in Mammoth Lakes. Ski lifts and slopes in the background.
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Nice ride up the mountain.
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On the way to Bodie, we saw a very unusual sight - a herd of sheep with sheep dogs and a shepherd.
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The shepherd
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Red winged blackbird, male
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Welcome to Bodie, the sign says it all. For the full Bodie visit see http://www.jimhayes.com/Bodie/
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Baby bluebird in nest in Bodie
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Panum crater, a volcanic crater on the S side of Mono Lake formed in a eruption 650 years ago.
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Mono Lake has these strange formations called Tufas which were made visible when LA started sapping off the water flowing into the lake.
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Mono Lake, like the Salton Sea, has a high (toxic) concentration of minerals but is a stopover for migrating birds.
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Tufas are like stalagmites in caves but were formed underwater over many years.
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Tufas are like stalagmites in caves but were formed underwater over many years.
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Lots of birds like this Plover appear to not be afraid of humans.
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On the flat rock to the left, an Osprey has a nest.
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Another Osprey is nesting on this tiny tufa way out in the lake.
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The black line around the shore looks like an oil spill, but it's not...
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It's flies, gazillions of them. They and brine shrimp are the only two creatures that seem to be able to survive in the lake.
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The black covering is flies
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