Pinwheels

Black-eyed Susan seed heads rattling gently in the breeze. I'm soaking up the cool weather. An excellent feeling.

In the Gloaming

The purple and pink shades of twilight are soothing. You have to look quickly or they're gone. True autumnal weather has arrived.

Flame Skimmer

There were turtles sunning themselves and it was deliciously quiet. I could imagine I'd been dropped down into the Jurassic period. Then a black phoebe swooped around catching lunch and scaring the dragonfly.

Rose in Bloom

Bee climbed petal by petal to the heart of the rose. Then she moved on to the next bloom. Still too hot.

New Fronds

Near record high temperatures. Sure doesn't feel like fall. I have new shade plants anyway.

Plum (Tuckered)

Beautiful flowers in spring but messy fruit. I'd rather go for the edible variety. Purplish leaves are cool, though.

Night Sentinels

Leaves are about to start falling. More scorching first. And the sun sets before 7 pm now.

Fountain

Even the fountain grass looks bedraggled. 100 degrees again but seriously dry so it feels cooler. Weird concept, that.

Lacewing

Supposedly the heat has peaked. We'll see. The green lacewings are out in the cooler darkness.

Purple Pods

The last full day of summer in all its blazing hot glory. We picked tomatoes and eggplant and thumbed our noses at the heat. Thank goodness for shade, though.

Sultry

A wilted gardenia giving off a faint perfume in the heat of the evening. It's not cooling off tonight. Summer's last stand.

Moth From Flame

It's getting dark so early these days. I had to turn the porch light on so I'd have something to photograph. The moth played along.

Salticidae

A tiny jumping spider lurking in the doorway. These are unpredictable little guys. Fortunately, they're small.

Upturned

I've walked by these little flowering bulbs almost every day for a few weeks. At least I think they're bulbs. They seem cool and nonchalant.

Squash Blossom

I liked the twist on the drying flower. Our garden may be the only one that isn't overproducing squash though we have several plants. A zucchini curse?

Okra Bud

Only one okra plant has been productive this season. The other has been infested with ants for months so it's the sacrificial victim. No pod pickling as planned.

Leaves of Change

More signs of impending fall. That makes it sound bad. More signs of the approach of autumn (that's better).

Aster

Or is it a mum? Very confusing. Just like the weather.

Jimson Weed

The datura is spreading along the levee path. Clouds, big drops of rain, and thunder this morning. Warming up this afternoon.

Sky's the Limit

I'm hoping today was the last 100+ degree day of the year. I'm ready for fall weather. I'm not ready for less daylight.

Lichen It

This tree and its companions are pretty old as far as the city's urban plantings go. And pretty healthy looking too. Lichen is growing on the bark.

Hot Stuff

I saw the ugly bug or its very close relative again today. Still no idea what it is. The garden seems to be waning for the year though the hot peppers are still going strong.

Out of Africa

The blue centers of the daisies caught the sunlight and looked like mini blueberries. I think we'll try growing blueberries. Maybe in pots.

Deep Throat

Woodland plantings with deep shade and relaxing vistas. We ambled along and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. No laboring today.

Vegan Fur

The redwoods look like they're molting. At least they're getting a break from the heat. So am I.

Invasive

Pretty little purple flowers on an invasive plant. They're spreading along the river. Bees like them--perhaps too much.

Lunar Lens

Smoke filtered into the valley today. The wind is carrying it off. Hopefully it stays away.

Wicked Plant

I don't know why people plant this. Along freeways seems best. Around the house, not so much.

Spreadwing

A male Archilestes californicus if I'm not mistaken. The first spreadwing damselfly I've ever noticed (although someone else had to point it out to me). Another relaxing day.

Keep It Blue

Wind whipping across the lake. Sand between my toes. A carefree day.