Many Faces of El Dorado County

I won2nd Place

This is my entry for Show Me Your Hometown Contest - [link] I learned lots of new tricks while creating this and hope that everyone enjoys the Many Faces of El Dorado County!!!

El Dorado County is located in the “Gold Country” of California, one of 58 counties and derives its name from Spanish for "gilded". It is one of the most diverse, exciting and beautiful places you’ll ever experience. Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, placed at the eastern bend of the state, the elevation ranges from 764 feet at the western edge up to Freel Peak in the Desolation Wilderness topping out at 10,881 feet of quartz filled granite.

The county has a total area of 1,788 square miles [4,631 km²]; of which, 77 square miles [200 km²] or 4.32% of it is water. This water is in the form of many lakes and rivers allowing for a tremendous amount of diversity in the local plants and animals. Whitewater rafting, hiking, swimming, picnicking, gold panning, fishing and camping fill the spring and summer months in El Dorado County. And the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountain range welcomes winter visitors with pure snow sporting pleasure.

At the eastern edge is the unique and beautiful national treasure of Lake Tahoe that shares a rich and colorful historical past with the entire county. Washoe Indians had been gathering on its shores for centuries when American explorers Kit Carson and John Fremont came upon it in 1844. Only a few years later gold was discovered in the County near the town of Coloma by James W. Marshall at Sutter’s Mill on January 24, 1848 leading to the California 1849 Gold Rush.

I have chosen to show the many local flora and fauna from a descending altitude. Starting at the top of the ‘tree’ is Lake Tahoe [link] .
The next layer shows the Desolation Wilderness in the background of Roadtrip [link] The American River in Up-Stream [link] flows through the county and joins the Sacramento delta region flowing to the Pacific Ocean through the San Francisco Bay. Autumn leaves in Colors – Take Three [link] near Lake Tahoe brighten the Pine forests.
The third row is Bridal Vail Falls in Caitlin’s Choice [link] Jenkinson Lake Exposure [link] and Reflection [link] another view of the American River.
The fourth row shows the major shift in plant life as the altitude has dramatically dropped, we are now below the snow line out of the Pine forests (overall background [link] ) and into the rolling hills dotted with Valley Oaks… The View from the Hidden Bench [link] is looking west from my home while Other Side of the Gate [link] shows our northern view a few months later. Road to Somewhere [link] is a driveway near my home.

The bottom row of animals are photographs I have taken on my property…
After the Shower [link] shows a female Anna’s hummingbird enjoying a shower in the sprinkler.
Tarantula [link] A California Brown tarantula was found by my husband in the grass below our deck.
Bee on Lavender [link] in the small fenced garden.
Flying Angel [link] another hummingbird at a feeder outside my window.
Baby Rattle [link] a very young California Diamondback Rattlesnake in a jar on my husband’s hand.
On the Fence [link] is a male House Finch in full mating plumage glory.
Stillness [link] a female Grey Fox who had a den under the garden shed.
Good Morning [link] we’re greeted most mornings by mother Mule deer and their fauns.