Almond Orchards in the Summer

My typical almond orchard post comes in February or March and showcases the incredible winter almond bloom that can cover miles of the valley with white flowers. Once the bloom is over, the leaves emerge on the almond trees, and the orchards become drab green tunnels until the leaves unceremoniously fall off in the fall.

But I thought I'd shake things up a bit by posting some images of the orchards as they look in the heart of the summer.

The orchards themselves are fairly difficult to photograph well because the deep shade contrasts so harshly with the bright sun.

But it is possible to get some nice shots of the almonds themselves, which at this time of year are covered with green fuzz.

I will post more as the nuts mature.

Fall Colors in Discovery Park, Sacramento

My last stop to check out the fall colors in Sacramento was Discovery Park, where the Sacramento and American rivers meet.

An early morning visit provided some wonderful images streams of light from the rising sun.

Early morning sunlight in Discovery Park.

The sun rises behind the trees in Discovery Park.

Picnic tables and trees in Discovery Park.

Trees in Discovery Park.

Fall in William Land Park, Sacramento

As the fall colors in northern California have been exceptional this year, I made sure to not miss Sacramento, which can explode with color.

My first stop was William Land Park, with it's trees, ponds, and golf course - all of which were very beautiful this year.

Enjoy!

Pond in William Land Park

Path around a pond at William Land Park

People enjoy the fall colors at William Land Park

Ducks and geese populate the ponds in William Land Park

Scenic fence on the golf course at William Land Park

One of the fairways on the golf course at William Land Park

Fall Colors in Bidwell Park, Chico - Part 2

More of the amazing fall colors in Lower Bidwell Park in Chico, CA.

Hikers and runners under a canopy of gold in Bidwell Park.

Reds, pinks and yellows line a trail in Bidwell Park.

Hkers in Bidwell Park enjoy the fall colors.

A cyclist enjoying the variety of colors in the park.

Hikers enjoy the incredible colors in Bidwell Park.

Fall in Bidwell Park, Chico - Part 1

A cyclist enjoys the incredible fall colors in Lower Bidwell Park, Chico

This warm dry fall has resulted in an incredible color show in northern California, and particularly in Bidwell Park in the town of Chico. I can't say that I ever remember fall colors as bright and varied as this year.

Typically, there's some yellows and golds, but this year there is virtually every color of the spectrum this year, from bright yellow through orange and red, and even shades of purple. The mild weather has helped the colors stay longer because there haven't been any storms to blow off the leaves.

Enjoy! I'll post more next week.

Runners enjoy to fall colors in Bidwell Park.

Fall colors over Big Chico Creek in Bidwell Park.

Runners enjoy the golden colors of the forest in Bidwell Park.

A large valley oak in Lower Bidwell Park

Fall Colors in Nevada City - Part 2

More images from the shoot of the fall colors in Nevada City last weekend. We spent a couple of days driving around town and the surrounding hills, trying to capture some of the beauty of the Sierra Foothills in the fall.

Odd little hobbit house-like structure in Bullwinkle Ravine, Nevada City, CA.

Sunrise on St. Canice Catholic Church, Nevada City, CA.

Fall colors surround St. Canice Catholic Church, Nevada City, CA.

Old Firehouse in downtown Nevada City, CA.

Lamppost in downtown Nevada City, CA.  

Old Firehouse #2 in downtown Nevada City, CA.

Almond Bloom in Full Bloom

This year's almond bloom was late starting, but came and went very quickly.

Fortunately, I was able to get out during the peak of the bloom in the orchards near Durham and captured some wonderful images. Click on the images to view larger.

Enjoy!

Almond orchard south of Durhan

Almond orchard south of Durham

Almond orchard south of Durham

Almond orchard near Dayton

Almond orchard near Durham

Almond orchard near Durham

Walnut Orchards in the Fall

The autumn leaf colors in the Sacramento Valley this year have lasted longer than most years. I've gotten several sets of great images of fall color from Chico's Bidwell Park. In addition, this has been a great year for color in the walnut orchards around the valley.

In many years, the leaves on the walnut trees just turn splotchy brown, but this year we've seen a lot of great color - mixes of greens and yellows - and even some golds - in the tree leaves. And the color is lasting longer than in most years. As a result, I've made several shooting trips this season just to photograph the walnut orchards as they change color.

Here are a few images from walnut orchards near Corning and Chico taken in the past week or so. I think you'll agree that walnut orchards can be amazingly beautiful at this time of year. (you can view the full set of recent orchard photos on my main Website).