5.6

We had an earthquake earlier tonight: 8:04 P.M. to be exact. The earthquake was the most powerful one we've had in a while, a 5.6 on the Richter scale.

When the quake hit, it sounded like a sonic boom hit my house!

More Rain on the Way...

It looks like the rainy season is finally starting up here in northern California. Tomorrow's forecast predicts up to half an inch of rain in the area!

Rain

Today we got the first rain of the season, and it was enough to make everything wet and clean the air. Here's some moss that greened-up quite quickly once the rain started.

The Gardens of The French Laundry

These are some of the vegetable gardens in which The French Laundry (the 4th best restaurant in the world) grows produce.

New Plants

I managed to rescue some nursery throw-aways from a dumpster today. They were all rare and old pelargonium varieties. I snagged the following cultivars:

Hybrid Pelargonium Domesticum
'Halloween'

Hybrid Pelargonium Domesticum
'Inez'

Hybrid Pelargonium Domesticum
'Glowing Ember'

Hybrid Pelargonium Domesticum
'Tunia Perfecta'

Hybrid Pelargonium Domesticum
'Dawn'

Hybrid Pelargonium Domesticum
'Lavender Grand Slam'

Hybrid Pelargonium Domesticum
'Grand Slam'

Photos tomorrow...

Twin Peaks Tree

A very old tree stands "next to" the Twin Peaks in Tahoe.

Thunderstorm Over the Sierra

I watched as tiny, harmless-looking clouds grew into this huge thunderstorm.

Ward Creek Falls

Ward Creek drops over a cliff near Lake Tahoe.

Independence

Some of the fireworks in Tahoe City, California on the 4th of July.

Golden Gate Video

I shot this video from the Marin Headlands last September. It was a very beautiful day!

Van Trump Falls

Van Trump Falls is very close to Comet Falls.

Comet Falls Video

I took this video of Comet Falls last summer.

Union

Venus and the Moon close to each other last night.

Pine Moon

Our natural satellite hangs near the branches of a pine.

Rain!

Finally, after weeks of "unbearable" sunny weather, we are getting needed rain. The grass on the hills is being given a few more days of life before the hot sun bakes it to a crisp. The garden seems to be responding well to the rain, as things have been a little too dry for comfort this past month.

Update:

There was a super heavy downpour today as showers blew through the area. It was sunny and literally 1 minute later the streets had turned into flooded rivers. The rain was coming down in drenching sheets, so hard that waterfalls were pouring off of the roofs of houses. Almost as soon as the downpour began, it stopped, and the sun came out again.

Freshwater Spring

Cool, clear water emits from the ground at this spring. The water comes out from under the rocks in the top right-hand portion of the photo.

Satellite Trail

A long shutter exposure shows the trail of a satellite across the sky. The Pleiades star cluster and (I think), Venus, are visible in the lower left-hand corner of the photo (click on thumbnail for better view).

California Poppy Seedlings

A small group of seedlings out of thousands that have germinated.

Wild Mustard

Just don't try spreading it on any food.

Ocotillo Skies

A leafless ocotillo bush contrasted against the Arizona sky.