July 3, 2012 This little lupine is endemic to the pumice plain areas near Mono Lake. That "soil" looks so poor, it is a wonder that anything can grow in it.
The area near Mono Lake is very high in pumice, a very light volcanic rock. The rock formations in the background are extinct volcano cones. The pumice in the foreground spewed from the volcanoes around 700 years ago.
July 3, 2012 These pretty yellow flowers brightened the drab, white pumice near Mono Lake. It is amazing how some plants thrive in such poor, dry soil.
