Beautiful fall days

After two weeks of rainy weather, the past two days have been 100% clear, topping out at 67 degrees yesterday and 72 today.  We had 36.2 this morning, but it still hasn’t frozen and there is no colder weather predicted.  Yesterday I set out for Marys Peak to catch a clear sunset.  There were a few high clouds on the horizon, but not enough to block the sun.  Click on images to see a larger version.

10 minutes to sunset

Sinking into the ocean

Afterglow

After-afterglow, from down at the parking lot

Today was a #6 day on Ed’s scale, one of the best days of the year.  Sure we have plenty of sun in the summer, but after two months of no rain the world starts to look a bit worn and tired.  Now the grass is green again, leaves are starting to turn and fall, and the air is filled with the crisp scents of autumn.  I took off early to meet the pump man, here to inspect our failing well pump.  (The old pump will be replaced soon, assuming our landlords agree to pay.)  I reassembled my solar water heating panel, dug a 3 1/2 foot hole for the post to mount it, and visited our bees.

Winter garden plot: leeks, parsley, dill, cilantro, kale, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and cabbage

East plots: mostly cover-cropped for winter but you can spot fava beans and brussels sprouts in front and leeks toward the back. Freshly tilled plot on the right will be planted in garlic this weekend.

Turkeys! One of them will be our Thanksgiving dinner.

The bees were active on this warm day, defending their hive from robber bees trying to steal the honey.