National Park Week | Northern California landscape photographer
From time to time, I like to set goals. From time to time, I like to accomplish them, such as the goal of visiting every National Park in the USA. Currently, there are 63. There are also National forests, National Seashores, National Monuments, and other National locations, libraries, artifacts, etc. to which I’ve been. But, my main goal is the parks. I have visited and photographed 24 of them. So, yes, I have a ways to go. What better time than this week - National Park Week, April 20 - 28, 2024 - to share them with you.
National Park Week
National Park Week, celebrated annually in April, is a time when the beauty, history, and diversity of America's national parks take center stage. This week-long celebration is an invitation for people of all ages and backgrounds to discover and reconnect with the vast network of national parks, monuments, and historic sites that stretch across the United States. It is a period marked by special events, educational programs, and volunteer opportunities, aimed at enhancing public awareness and appreciation of these natural and cultural treasures.
National Park Week highlights the importance of conservation efforts and encourages visitors to explore the vast landscapes, wildlife, and stories that these parks preserve. It's a time to reflect on the role that parks play in community health, well-being, and education, as well as their contribution to the economy through tourism and recreation.
Here are three collages of images, one of each park in no particular order, that I’ve taken while visiting some of our national parks. I wonder if you can name them? Some are more obvious than others. Share your guesses in the Comments below.
Take Care of Our Parks
This special week serves as a reminder to protect and cherish these places for future generations. Whether it's the majestic landscapes of Yellowstone, the historical significance of Gettysburg, or the stunning beauty of the Grand Canyon, National Park Week is a celebration of the national heritage that these parks represent, a heritage as diverse and awe-inspiring as our country itself.
Now, get out there and enjoy our parks while taking good care of them! Maybe there’s a little ‘forest bathing’ in your future.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Use the Search option below.
I was especially enthused about this visit to Death Valley because of the appearance of Lake Manly which is in some years a dried lake bed full of mud cracks and salt patterns. Beautiful in their own right. But, the occurrence of a hurricane last fall created a wealth of water in the Valley, and so Lake Manly came to life once again as it does so periodically.
When my friend asked if I’d like to join her and several other women photographers on a trip to North Cascades National Park, of course, I said yes. She graciously did all the planning and made all the arrangements for the stay, food, and transportation. All I (we) had to do was get ourselves there with gear and appropriate clothing. How nice is that?
Last October, I held my annual one-day Waterfalls Workshop in Northern California. It’s a day of photographing waterfalls, learning techniques, meeting new friends, and enjoying just being in the mountains. It’s a gorgeous time of year with the color change. Several of the workshop members decided to stay to photograph and enjoy the area for another day. Thinking this was a fabulous idea, I decided to stay as well to enjoy the autumn views in nearby Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Day 4 of our Glacier Bay NP trip was again full of wildlife and landscapes, and a most amazing glacier. The David B traveled along the Muir Inlet to the Reid Inlet passing mountains, icebergs, whales, assorted birds, sea otters, and arriving at Reid Glacier. We photographed from the boat, the skiff, and on land. There was beautiful scenery every direction we looked!
Day 3 of our Glacier Bay NP trip was again full of wildlife and landscapes, and our first view of a most amazing glacier. The David B traveled along the Muir Inlet passing mountains, icebergs, the Reid Glacier, whales, assorted birds, and seals until we rounded the corner to see the magnificent McBride Glacier. Seriously, I’ve never seen anything like it in my life!
Icy Straits and South Sandy Cove were the locations of our Day 2 trip in Glacier Bay, Alaska. Full of beautiful landscapes, wildlife, and abundant nature in every direction, this trip was a photographer’s dream.
For more years than I can remember, I have wanted to visit Alaska. Seems like a reasonable desire, yet over the years different events prevented that from happening. And, there is always the planning - what area to visit, when can I squeeze it in, how will I travel there, and the questions go on. Finally, this summer, everything aligned and I was able to not only visit part of Alaska, I did it with a photography workshop aboard a vintage 1929 boat/ship, the David B.
The roads and trails close during the winter in Mount Lassen Volcanic National Park. But, if you'd like to snowshoe, cross-country ski, or walk the trails, you are welcome to do so. When I arrived at Manzanita Lake during the first week in January, the small parking lot contained two other cars. I knew it would be a great day to enjoy the snow and sun at the lake while being surrounded in nature.
One of the very best things about Lassen is that it is not at all crowded. It's bittersweet, really. We were happy to have few fellow visitors. The trails and viewing areas were not crowded. Yet, it is such a beautiful place, it's a shame more people are not there to enjoy it. It's not a particularly large park as far as national parks go. Certainly not as big as Yellowstone, but it has some of the bubbling mud, sulfur springs, and other features similar to Yellowstone.
* * * * * * *
As a published, featured northern California fine art photographer living in the greater Sacramento area, I specialize in fine art landscape, nature, and still life photography. My style is authentic, fresh and personality-driven. I offer several educational opportunities including workshops and photography mentoring. You can learn about them by going to SERVICES and WORKSHOPS. While currently living in rural northern California with my husband and a couple thousand walnut trees, I post regularly to Instagram.
Please CONTACT ME with any questions or to schedule your learning session.
Serving Yuba City/Marysville, East Nicolaus, Wheatland, Lincoln, Woodland, Davis, Roseville, Rocklin, and the greater Sacramento area.
(530) 633-7575
Join other advanced photographers who are recognized for their technical and creative work. Learn more HERE.
As I set off on a road trip to Wyoming, a friend messaged me that there was smoke blowing into the Jackson area. I finally decided that landscape photography and smoke don’t always play well together, so I changed course and headed for Bryce Canyon National Park; a park I had yet to visit.