23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest The American Experience
Clouds of Gold

Description: The still waters of San Francisco’s salt ponds form a crystal-clear mirror, reflecting the rolling clouds and golden light above. Salt has been collected in this region since the 1800s. In the last two decades, conservation projects have returned this intertidal environment to the salt marshes that were originally there. This image was taken while I was flying my single-engine plane. Nikon D810/70-200 mm.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 01.2024
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: California, United States of America
Camera: NIKON D810
Copyright: © Jassen Todorov