Slight setback for the advancing season

Our own modest contribution to the local fruit harvest—an Asian pear—is thriving.

The warm weather was bringing everything on at a remarkable pace.

Even the Knobbly Neighbor tree joined in with general rush to bloom, leaf, and fruit.

Then the weather forecasters warned of a series of cold fronts moving through during the remainder of the week. We had waited a week for roofing materials to arrive for the completion of the roof improvements, so that was a little worrying. The roofers arrived on Wednesday morning and completed the job in time to pack up and go for a late luncheon. The discarded roofing offcuts lie against the fence. Then the rain started and it came down heavily for a couple of hours.

The 'storm light' made everything look hyper-real.

The keys on the Silk tree glowed like decorative ornaments in the sunlight against a dark sky.

This plant never fails to show its best during 'rain & shine' weather.

That must be a good luck rainbow that came out after the downpour.

A new restaurant in town—tried and recommended the next day—but for your health's sake resist the 'all-you-can-eat' offer.

The rain brought forth even more flowers, despite the lower temperatures.

The lonely Forsythia gained a companion this week.

You must have experienced the "Take one of me on my own" phenomenon.

There seems to have been an increase in surveillance and security patrols recently.
Perhaps Homeland Security have raised the perceived threat level warning because of our own neighborhood tours. 

Between the cold fronts as they moved through the weather returned to its previous balmy state.

Even though there was a sprinkling of snow on the tops, down on the bench the first cut of silage was underway.

I am always reluctant to identify plants, but I think this one is an Ocotillo or Coachman's Whip (Fouquieria splendens).

The rock garden hosting the Ocotillo has several delightful features.

That feature looks just a tad creepy…

…and that one looks slightly Christmassy.

The Kingcot—first tree in the valley to blossom—now has fruit.

Another new flower.

Exactly one week after the start of the previous entry and the big white clouds return.

Looking east and the black clouds are receding.

Sunshine drives the black clouds away.

After a delightfully warm Sunday evening, a dramatic sunset seemed on the cards—and so it was.

 

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