The magic begins as the sun sets, reflecting off the bay waters and illuminating Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont. The “Golden Hour” is a photographer’s favorite palette as the setting sun bathes the hills, the marshes, the animals and the visitors in warm light.  The deer emerge, silhouetted against the dark sky.

Photographs by Dai Sugano

Sunset illuminates a resting Great Egret on Dec. 3, 2024. 
A California Scrub-Jay takes off from a branch along the Quail Trail on Nov. 29, 2024. 
Hikers are silhouetted by the sunset as they walk on Soaproot Trail on Dec. 1, 2024. 
Two different species of lichens grow on a rock on Dec. 1, 2024. 
Cyclists take in the view of the San Francisco Bay from Bayview Trail, one of the 12 trails at Coyote Hills Regional Park on Dec. 1, 2024. 
Northern Shoveler ducks look for food in one of the marshes on Nov. 29, 2024. 
Layers of ancient rocks that have been modified by tectonic activities over millions of years are visible along the trails on Nov. 29, 2024. 
Hikers take in the view of the San Francisco Bay at sunset from Coyote Hills Regional Park on Dec. 27, 2024. 
After sunset, turkeys rest atop branches as hikers walk nearby on Dec. 1, 2024. 
Sunset illuminates algae floating in the San Francisco Bay by Coyote Hills Regional Park on Dec. 9, 2024. 
A pair of deer walks together after sunset on Dec. 9, 2024.