First Aurora of the 2017-18 season. She's back!

We finally had our first visible aurora from Bear Valley early this morning, starting around midnight.  I stayed up until 3 am, but it never quite turned into an intense display.  Still, it was great to see her again, and we had the added bonus of a gorgeous Milky Way.  Click images for full-screen.

A break from the rain.

I swear, it feels like it's been raining every day for the entire month of August.  We missed the Eclipse yesterday here in Anchorage, but this afternoon the clouds finally departed and we were reminded once again why we love it here.  And just possibly, the first aurora of the season tonight if it stays clear!  Click for full-screen.

Look who came for a visit.

I just happened to walk up to the top of the driveway when this guy came walking up the ditch just below me. We've been watching this bull grow up in the neighborhood for several years now.  He's starting to grow a nice rack, and at this rate,  he's going to be a big one in a couple more years.