Sept 17 - 23, 2026: a total of a little more than 0.1 " of rain during this period--Sept. 17th and 18th with a trace of rain and 0.1" measured on Sept. 19th, then dry for 5 days. Drought continues. Leaves are beginning to turn on ash and a few maple trees. In general, days and overnight temperatures are beginning to drop to normal ranges....40's or low 50's overnight; 60's during the day. A couple of warm days (upper 80's) forecast for this week then dropping back down to normal ranges. Plants and animals are reacting to shorter days and cooler temperatures. Birds are beginning to gather at seed feeders. Anna's hummingbirds are very active at the feeders also. Only a few daisy blooms remain, but seed heads are being left on the plants for fall and winter bird food.  Corn is ripe on the stalks. Squirrels are busy eating ripe corn and apples.  Oaks have nearly stopped dropping acorns---a couple months earlier than normal. Horse chestnut burrs are beginning to drop more often. Bears are moving to lower elevations in search of food and water. Their berry food sources at higher elevations have dried up in this summer's drought conditions. Other wildlife are also moving to lower elevations earlier than normal to find plants to eat. This winter will probably be very hard on wildlife who are caught between sparse food at elevations due to drought and wildland fires this summer and human development of lower elevations where winter forage used to be available.