There is life after the Smokey Times

We've had some rain and a little breeze and now the smoke is basically gone. The meteorologist assures us that the fine particles are still about and with the fires still raging, we could see more smoke, but for now, we are pretty much back to normal.

What is revealed is a land in seasonal transition. While there are still a few flowers blooming, many shrubs are displaying a dominant red color.

This frond of tiny blossoms have withered and been made part of a spider's plan for catching supper.

It also seems that it is currently impossible to go outside without seeing a zillion spiders, mostly large ones. So, here is the obligatory daily spider. If you, dead reader, are knowledgeable about such things, perhaps you can tell me what sort of (common, most assuredly) spider this is.

This wet leaf, lying on a bed of verdant evergreen ground cover, is showing some of its fall tints through to the underside with is now the topside.