Precip for the week totaled 0.00" and with the dog days of summer in full swing, there's no doubt that soil conditions have reached moderately dry.  If not for what remains of deeper soil moisture, severely dry conditions would already be met.  As it is, area waterways are still looking alright but their levels are dropping.  And area trees are holding up but are beginning to wilt a bit.  Local lawns on the other hand are really looking dry.  "Luckily", we have had some solar relief as severe smoke from northern wildfires has swept into the area, helping to reduce the intensely hot conditions somewhat.  And as it's been too smokey to be outside having to breath that acrid and apocalyptic looking air, mowing is now a job that I can rightfully put off.  Man, we could sure use a good soaking.  Anyhow, wildlife has been laying low during this heat wave and about the only thing moving much are birds during the cooler parts of the day.  Our phoebe birds have flown the nest and have disappeared.  If they are flying north to escape the heat they'll have to contend with the wildfires up there.  Maybe they'll fly south to cool off.