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  • 202 Zoo color

    Bee/Dave Henry

    Inside the Sacramento Zoo in Land Park, this Chinese Pistache has brilliant color. 202

  • 201 Land Park color

    Bee/Dave Henry

    A walk around Land Park will reveal a few trees are starting to show some nice color. This photo was made November 8, 2011 using a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105 zoom lens set to 100mm. The exposure was 1/60 sec. at f/9.5 using ISO 400. For more information on exposure and filters, check our Tips and Techniques section. 201

  • 199 Land Park duck ponds

    Bee/Dave Henry

    The trees around a Land Park duck pond are just beginning to turn color. A polarizing filter and late afternoon light accentuate the color. This photo was made November 8, 2011 using a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105 zoom lens set to 28mm. The exposure was 1/90 sec. at f/9.5 using ISO 400. For more information on exposure and filters, check our Tips and Techniques section. 199

  • 208 Purple Leaf Plum

    Bee/Dave Henry

    The Purple-leaf plum on the north side of Capitol Park seems deeper in color than normal. Maybe it’s wishful thinking or I’m looking harder for saturated colors. This photo was made November 9, 2011 using a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105 zoom lens set to 93mm. The exposure was 1/60 sec. at f/11 using ISO 400 with a polarizing filter. For more information on exposure and filters, check our Tips and Techniques section. 208

  • 207 Western Catalpa

    Bee/Dave Henry

    The western catalpa tree at the Vietnam Memorial in Capitol Park, is in full color today. This photo was made November 9, 2011 using a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105 zoom lens set to 67mm. The exposure was 1/90 sec. at f/11 using ISO 400 with a polarizing filter. For more information on exposure and filters, check our Tips and Techniques section. 207

  • 205 Dogwood

    Bee/Dave Henry

    This dogwood tree in Capitol Park is past peak but using a polarizing filter enhances the red color in the leaves. This photo was made November 9, 2011 using a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105 zoom lens set to 105mm. The exposure was 1/60 sec. at f/9.5 using ISO 400 with a polarizing filter. For more information on exposure and filters, check our Tips and Techniques section. 205

  • 204 Maple in color

    Bee/Dave Henry

    This maple at the east entry to the capital building is in full color. So far it is the only tree in full color in Capitol Park. This photo was made November 9, 2011 using a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105 zoom lens set to 100mm. The exposure was 1/60 sec. at f/9.5 using ISO 400 with a polarizing filter. For more information on exposure and filters, check our Tips and Techniques section. 204

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    Top 10 places for fall leaf color in the Sacramento region

    By Dave Henry
    Special to Sacbee.com
    Published: Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011 - 8:01 pm
    Last Modified: Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 - 12:31 am

    With the beautiful fall leaf show over in the Eastern Sierra and Yosemite, it's time we discover the color in our own backyards.

    There are many locations across the Sacramento region to view leaves in all their brilliant fall color -- including some of our own neighborhoods. Keep reading for our "best bets" -- public areas we can all visit to enjoy and photograph.

    In Northern California we are fortunate to have the temperature swings that create conditions for some of the best leaf color. See our Fall Leaves 2011 gallery, and you'll notice the trees are just beginning to turn in the Sacramento area.

    Color is in full swing in most neighborhoods because we tend to see liquid amber, maple and chinese pistache trees there. These trees are early turners and usually very colorful.

    Why is it that the best color is found in local parking lots? Costco always seems to have the best chinese pistache color around.

    The large open areas populated with oaks won't turn for at least two weeks.

    Here are my favorite locations in the Sacramento area for fall leaf color:

    1. William Land Park - Color is just beginning.

    2. Capitol Park - Little color yet.

    3. Gibson Ranch County Park and Cherry Island Golf Course - Color is just beginning.

    4. American River Parkway - Color is just beginning.

    5. Ancil Hoffman Regional Park - Color is just beginning.

    6. Effie Yeaw Nature Center - Color is just beginning.

    7. Elk Grove Regional Park - No color yet.

    8. Cosumnes River Preserve - Color is just beginning.

    9. Maidu Park, Roseville - A couple trees are beginning to turn.

    10. Auburn State Recreation Area at Cool - No color yet.

    Best Bets for fall leaf color

    Most of the areas listed above have very little color -- for now. Check the Fall Leaves 2011 gallery for status reports.

    Neighborhoods have the best color right now. Fair Oaks Boulevard from Monroe to Arden Way is particularly colorful.

    Most of the parks in the area will continue to turn but won't be in full color for about two weeks.

    Weather

    This weekend's weather forecast is just right for a brisk fall walk to photograph the trees: Partly sunny skies and highs in the mid-60s.

    Check www.sacbee.com/weather for current conditions and forecasts for your city.

    Photography tips

    Now's the time to brush up on your photographic skills, so don't miss the opportunity to pick up advice in our Tips & Techniques section.

    Share your photos

    Upload your own fall foliage photos from any area to the Sacbee reader favorites gallery. Check out what other readers are sharing.

    You can also email your fall leaf photos to the gallery from your computer or mobile phone: fall@sacbee.com

    Before you head out

    • California State Capitol Museum: Capitol Park

    • Sacramento Tree Foundation: We live in an urban forest

    • City of Sacramento: William Land Park guide

    • American River Parkway Foundation

    • American River Natural History Association

    • Effie Yeaw Nature Center: Free presentations, nature walks

    • County of Sacramento regional parks

    • California State Parks: Auburn State Recreation Area

    Related links

    Fall Leaves 2011 special section

    Fall Leaves 2011 photo gallery

    Fall Leaves 2010 photo gallery

    Sacbee reader gallery

    Map: Interactive guide to Sierra fall colors

    Photography Tips & Techniques

    Story: Plumas County lures leaf peepers

    © Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.


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