Back to usual fall weather

Normal autumn weather has returned and temperatures have dropped.

Range today: 16-25 degrees C, about 20 degrees at 4 p.m. Humidity 70% and rising, wind in the north west ~8.7 kt. Skies clear but for a very few high altitude clouds, Jordan back to being almost invisible, just barely perceptible behind mist like a dull high cloudbank occupying the rift valley far to the east.

No gazelle out today but a small group of feral dogs sighted at the edge of a glade along the central trail on our way back. Led by a big reddish brown job. When we reached look out corner we met a lovely and very friendly white dog with a collar, very like a Canaani but pure white and with a gorgeous coat. He seemed to be off on an exploration of his own in the wilds he accompanied us as we headed up gazelle field. We'd seen a 'hassid throwing stones into a tree and wanted to know what on earth he was doing.

Turned out he was just harvesting almonds, and good ones too it turned out. I knew many of the single trees in gazelle field were almond trees since we'd seen their blossom back in January. Only almonds bloom so early in the year as far as I know. I'm very cautious of almonds since the wild variety are very bitter and the kernels contain prussic acid but these were good and sweet, no doubt belonged to the farm that used to be there. Our new acquaintance gave us a handful of the husked nuts and husband broke one open (the local limestone boulders and stones come in useful) , it was totally clean of any infestation and mmm it was good!

Well, our other new friend, the white dog decided he preferred the hassid's company to ours and stayed with him till his owners arrived in a van down from the dry creek trail and called him back.

Other observations: About forty jackdaws arrived from north shortly before dusk and flew to Hizmeh's hill, where it was met by another group of jackdaws which had been hanging out over there. The whole flock of 70 plus wheeled around in the sky for a while, as if greeting the returnees.

Hooded crows, Syrian woodpeckers, Jays, Collared doves and greenfinches active pretty much as usual though the doves are silent now. Feral pigeons, house sparrows and Bulbuls vocal and active along the street and gardens. Husband saw a pair of white wagtails hunting for flies on the street in a higher part of the neighbourhood, which then flew up to the top of the buildings.