Join Cosumnes River Preserve docents on a guided hike along the River Walk Trail! This hike will take you back to the days when the Plains Miwok once inhabited the Cosumnes River’s surrounding landscape.
You’ll learn about the plants and animals they interacted with and the unique ways in which they utilized the land as a part of their everyday lives.
The route will cover approximately 3.5 miles, but participants that do not wish to walk that far may turn around at any time. This is a great family activity for all ages! This is an outdoor setting in nature, so please dress accordingly with sturdy shoes and layers. There is not potable water, so please bring all the water you’ll need for the hike. Binoculars encouraged!
COVID-19 Precautions: We have limited the number of participants to ensure guests can social distance. Bringing a facemask is encouraged in the event the group cannot social distance on areas of the trail.
Meet at 9:00 am on the Visitor Center deck.
Registration through EventBrite is required as space is limited.
Come to Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) for a two-hour guided walk focusing on photographing the Preserve.
The first hour will be spent on creatively “seeing” Preserve photo opportunities, including using light, shape, texture, and color to artistically capture the Preserve. Topics include: direction of light, color vs monochrome, horizontal vs vertical, use of leading lines and depth of field in compositions. Camera functionality to be discussed include: use of histogram to confirm proper exposure and using aperture to change depth of field focus. Due to the wide variety of cameras, CRP guides cannot be expected to know how to make changes to camera setting, so participants should be familiar with their cameras and/or bring their camera manuals.
Tripods are encouraged, especially for morning, low-light conditions.
The second hour will be spent photographing the Preserve’s wintering waterfowl and include a discussion of the best camera settings for capturing moving and flying birds, using depth of field to reduce visual distractions, and the exposure complexities of photographing birds with both light and dark plumage.
Remember, this is Nature in winter, so please dress accordingly with sturdy shoes and layers. Gloves will be very helpful as cameras and tripods get cold. There is no potable water and participants must bring their own water.
There is a limit of 10 participants, who must register using the link below. Wearing a mask may be necessary if social distancing cannot be maintained during the walk or during photo reviews.
Join experienced naturalists for a leisurely paddle up the Cosumnes River and its peaceful sloughs. We’ll likely see forest birds, raptors, egrets, herons, cormorants, and maybe deer, a beaver and/or an otter. We’ll talk about the flora and fauna found in this riparian corridor, and about the first people to live here, the Plains Miwoks.
Bring your own boat (canoe, kayak, SUP), paddle, and PFD.
We will meet at the Cosumnes River Preserve Visitor Center Parking lot.
Please be there and have your boat unloaded and ready to put in by 9:00 a.m. at the latest, because we will depart from the parking lot at 9:00. We’ll be back at the parking lot around noon.
COVID PRECAUTIONS: Please social distance by maintaining 6 ft. from other participants. Face masks required if not able to maintain social distancing.
*SPECIAL* Guided Photo Walk to Oak Savannah With their cameras in hand, Volunteers will await your arrival at the CRP’s Visitor Center
*SPECIAL* Guided Photo Walk to Oak Savannah With their cameras in hand, Volunteers will await your arrival at the CRP’s Visitor Center
8:00 am-11:00 am
05/28/2022
Special Event at Cosumnes River Preserve:
Guided Photography Walk to the Oak Savannah, April 23, 2022, starting at 8AM sharp.
Come to Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) for a three to four-hour guided walk focusing on photographing the Preserve magnificent Valley oaks. This walk requires about 4-5 miles of walking with your camera gear, including lenses and tripod. You may also be getting on your hands and knees to experiment with tree composition or get up-close to an outstanding mushroom.
Be prepared for a long morning. There is no potable water available, so bring enough water for the morning, and snacks or lunch. Wear appropriate clothes in layers as the morning may be very cool, but the sun on the savannah can get hot by late morning. Long pants and high socks are necessary to hinder ticks and protect against scratchy tall grasses. Supportive shoes are a must for walking on uneven surfaces and for carrying camera gear for many hours. Hats and sunscreen are critical for anyone worried about sunburn in April, whether a sunny or cloudy day.
Camera gear to bring: camera, various lenses for landscape (wide angle zoom, medium zoom, up to 200-300mm). Long lenses for bird photography are not necessary and very heavy to carry for 4 hours. Tripods are a must (Per Ansel Adams: “Use a tripod for only those photographs you wish to keep.”)
The photographic discussions will focus on “seeing” photo opportunities we find on the Savannah, including the use of light, subject shape, texture, and color to artistically capture the Preserve. Topics to be covered will be direction of light, color vs monochrome, horizontal vs vertical, use of leading lines and depth of field in compositions. Camera functionality to be discussed include the use of histogram to confirm proper exposure and using aperture to change depth of field. Due to the wide variety of cameras, the CRP guide cannot be expected to know how to make changes to camera settings, so participants should be familiar with their cameras and/or bring their camera manuals.
There is a limit of 10 participants, who must register using the link below. Wearing a mask is optional, but be cognizant of others who may immunocompromised. If you register for this special walk and then decide not to attend, please cancel your reservation so people on the waiting list can register.
