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.
“There is nothing so American as our national parks.... The fundamental idea behind the parks...is that the country belongs to the people, that it is in process of making for the enrichment of the lives of all of us.”
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.
Glacier Bay NP is the most recent new-to-me national park. The photo above is an intimate look at Lamplough Glacier and the broken pieces of ice that have become grounded for now.
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.
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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.
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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.