Images from the American River Parkway
In the the heart of Sacramento County is a recreational gem called the American River Parkway (AKA: Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail). This trail follows 32 miles along the American River and is used by bicyclists, runners, walkers, birders, equestrians and photographers. It is embedded within a riparian habitat which provides great opportunities for wildlife and landscape photography throughout the year.
The ViewPoint Gallery in Downtown Sacramento recently held a photo contest called Picturing the Parkway. It was intended to attract a variety of photographic submissions of the Parkway to be compiled for a show. I decided to submit and two of my three submissions were selected for display at their gallery.
 American River, El MantoISO 100, f/22 @ 2.5 seconds
Summer sunset
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 American River, El MantoISO 100, f/13 @ 0.4 seconds
Winter frost on leaves
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This also inspired me to compile some images I have taken along the parkway over the years. I didn't submit any of these in the contest but I think they still give an idea of the different environments and wildlife that can be found along the trail. These are arranged Northeast to Southwest.
Hover over photos for title, description, and location.
 Lake Natoma, Rainbow BridgeISO 100, f/22 @ 15 seconds
Dusk at springtime
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 Lake Natoma, Natoma CrossingISO 100, f/22 @ 13 seconds
Summer sunset
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 Lake Natoma, Negro BarISO 100, f/22 @ 1/2 seconds
Summer sunrise
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 Lake Natoma, Negro BarISO 100, f/22 @ 4 seconds
Late summer sunrise
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 Lake Natoma, Negro BarISO 100, f/16 @ 1.6 seconds
Autumn sunrise
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 Lake Natoma, Willow CreekISO 100, f/18 @ 0.8 seconds
Springtime sunrise
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 Lake Natoma, Willow CreekISO 100, f/22 @ 2 seconds
Late summer storm
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 Lake Natoma, Willow CreekISO 100, f/22 @ 1/2 seconds
Late summer storm
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 Lake Natoma AccessISO 100, f/11 @ 133 seconds
Early autumn night
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 Lake Natoma Access
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 American River, NimbusISO 100, f/40 @ 1 seconds
Salmon spawning
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 American River, Sailor BarISO 400, f/5.6 @ 1/160 seconds
Great Blue Heron at sunrise
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 American River, Sailor BarISO 200, f/13 @ 0.8 seconds
Summer sunset
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 American River, Sailor BarISO 200, f/13 @ 0.8 seconds
Summer afternoon
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 American River, Sailor BarISO 400, f/13 @ 1/100 seconds
Cormorant at sunrise
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 American River, Sailor BarISO 100, f/11 @ 1/4 seconds
Summer sunset
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 American River, Upper SunriseISO 200, f/22 @ 2 seconds
Autumn sunrise
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 American River, El MantoISO 100, f/16 @ 4 seconds
Winter sunrise
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 American River, El MantoISO 100, f/22 @ 2.5 seconds
Summer sunset
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 American River, El MantoISO 400, f/5.6 @ 1/80 seconds
Foggy winter sunrise
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 Egret, Ancil Hoffman ParkISO 400, f/5.6 @ 1/200 seconds
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 Egret, Ancil Hoffman ParkISO 100, f/5.6 @ 1/500 seconds
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 American River, El MantoISO 100, f/13 @ 30 seconds
Winter sunrise
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 American River, Hagen ParkISO 100, f/22 @ 5 seconds
Autumn sunrise
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 American River, Hagen ParkISO 800, f/22 @ 0.7 seconds
Autumn sunrise
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 Canadian Goose with chicks, Hagen ParkISO 800, f/5.6 @ 1/2000 seconds
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 Egret, Hagen ParkISO 1250, f/5.6 @ 1/30 seconds
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 Common Merganser, Hagen ParkISO 3200, f/5.6 @ 1/4000 seconds
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 Mallard duck, Hagen ParkISO 1250, f/5.6 @ 1/90 seconds
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 Beaver, Hagen ParkISO 800, f/5.6 @ 1/180 seconds
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 Canadian Goose with chicks, Hagen ParkISO 1600, f/5.6 @ 1/750 seconds
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 American River, William PondISO 100, f/22 @ 30 seconds
Spring sunrise with moon setting
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 American River, William PondISO 100, f/20 @ 30 seconds
Spring sunrise with moon setting
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 American River, William PondISO 100, f/11 @ 41 seconds
Early autumn sunrise
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 American River, William PondISO 100, f/22 @ 5 seconds
Early autumn sunrise
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I hope you enjoyed this photographic walk along the American River Parkway!
