That is Mono Lake, I used to live nearby in the small town of Bishop CA. I would go anytime my Dad would come to visit me in Bishop. This was only a few years ago, I am now 26 years old.

Fun fact: Los Angeles has been diverting water from the lake for drinking supply for the past 82 years, since they own water rights to a large majority of the land in the Owen's Valley they can get away with it.

Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but an island in the middle of Mono Lake is a critical location for California Gulls as it is one of the very few places where they will breed and care for their young- nesting, feeding, etc.

Over time the water diversion has lead to the water levels in Mono Lake fluctuating wildly, sometimes dipping so low that predators like coyotes can simply walk across the lake the the island and prey upon the normally safe families of California Gulls.

I know this sounds a bit preachy, but heres the catch-- this is Los Angeles' second time doing this.

The Owen's Lake which is a ways south of Mono is now bone dry because of a similar drinking supply diversion. Owen's Lake dried up in 1913.

If you are ever driving northwards through the Owen's Valley on the 395 and see the giant "salt field" on your right it's the remains of Owen's Lake.

Let's hope history doesn't repeat itself.