A soft scowling at dusk. Juvenile eastern screech owl perched on a four-foot-high reflector, like a curious sign, hissing warnings.

Mercury shining bright. Mars paired with Saturn, so close a couple days back, already parting company. Jupiter a beacon. Scorpio standing on end. A couple nights back, to the right of Mars and Saturn, an iridium flare blazed like a match head for a few seconds, then gone.

Old crescent moon rising before dawn, only a day or two from the sun and rebirth.

The weather has been unstable, expectant, in waiting. Thunder and a few drops then sun then thunder again. The hummingbirds and nesting barn swallows seem less certain of their purpose. Today is the longest day, the solstice, everything stretched to the max, on hold, pregnant.