In the past month of time, we have received about 3/4" of rain.  The ground is cracked.  Species of grasses have turned brown.  My bellweather bush, a Forsythia bush, is not showing signs of being without water yet but it's leaves are not upright.  I suspect it is not far from showing definite lack of water signs such as droopy leaves.  The cooler weather is helping keep evapotranspiration rates lower.

Several species of grass have turned brown and the remaining grasses appear thin and/or wilted.  Anything newly planted needs a lot more watering.  Water restrictions are being issued for local counties.

The birds are flocking to our bird baths.  Each day we see rings of wet ground around each bath.  The local feeder stream has dried up.