Days of Late August

We have been busy these past few days. Roger's youngest daughter and her beau came for a visit. It had been a while since we'd seen them, so it was especially wonderful to have this time. We did get them out to the marsh for a walk the other evening after dinner. The tide was low and what there was of the sun was setting. There were sky reflections in the standing pools, and the muddy sand shone like it was made of melted silver.
We are restless these days. The first summer in many years without a garden. The first summer in many years without the sound of coyotes through the night's open window. We walk around the marsh with hungry eyes looking for something wild to remind us. On a lucky evening, this American Avocet is there, making a brief stop for a meal.

A drizzly rain clings to the apple and pear trees in our yard. Too soon for fall, but the fruit hits the ground unripened and wet.