Friday, July 3, 2026, 78.9* F, 82% RH, 0809
Is it the unnatural sound of a door sliding that quiets the birds of morning? As I walk to view the stream, not through a curtain of fence, I hear an Ovenbird, flush an American Robin from tree debris. The Robin lands on a limb in close proximity to the apple tree, whole body moving as it speaks to another somewhere across the canopy. A picture, enough for clarity. As I stand looking, others speak: Gray Catbird, Common Yellowthroat, Blue Jay, Black-and-white Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Red-eyed Vireo, Black-capped Chickadee.
Sun moving between leaves toward a sky thinning blue. Predicted thunderstorms the last two days never sounded, never spit a drop on dusty land. As I type, the temp has reached 80.9*, 81.5*, 82.7*, 84.3* 86.7*. Nth degrees of heat, difficulty breathing for some. He’s not working on a roof today.
Eat salt. Drink water. Seek shade.
Photo: LJ Austin
