We've had some heavy rain and wind this past week although 'wet chilly' Fall is a 'norm'. Rain equals hydro power...some termination dust on the highest mountain ridges. The ground is pretty saturated and squishy. Temps have run in the low to upper 40Fs and there has been enough sun to ripen the mountain ash berries, red elder berries and last of the blue/red huckleberries for both the pre-hibernation bears and migrating birds. Several young porcupines in the area. Bald eagles still out and about in their usual spots. Fewer migrators this year, only 4 varied thrush to date, a handful of robins-notably 'young ones' have flown through. Squirrels are cutting spruce/hemlock cones and Stellar jays most abundant. Dark eyed juncos seen every day, few chickadees. There seems to be a pair of wrens in the brush pile and a few glimpses of sapsuckers. Its hunting season although deer are still seen alongside the road early morning and at dusk. Most gardens are being pulled and prepped for the winter, bulbs for Spring flowers going in everywhere. The last cruise ship left early this week so there is a sense of calm as folks get out and about in town and on trails, biking without the crowds. Its a political season and a lot of issues re: road repairs, upcoming snow clearing, building maintenance high on the list for fiscal planning. For Juneau, its been a rare colorful Fall- lots of yellows, golds and even reds everywhere...at least until the wind picks up again.