Day 444 priorities

May 29, 2021. Sunset 8:24 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Everyone looks to be waiting for something to happen-- except for Riley who has a more immediate itch to satisfy.
+1:10
Day 444 sunsets at home

Day 443

May 28, 2021. Sunset 8:22 PM. San Francisco, CA.

We live in the middle of a long block, and I happened to glance down to the end of the street between bell tolls. In the distance, I saw a person and a bouncing dog running up the hill. And then they were here. Just in time.
+1:13
Day 443 sunsets at home

Day 442

May 27, 2021. Sunset 8:22 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Post eclipse- quiet evening.
+1:15 still inching into the light.
Day 442 sunsets at home

Merlin overlooking Lake Superior.

May 27, 2021. Sunset 8:41 PM. Ironwood, MI.

"Zen dog. He's meditating".
From Kathy Roman 8:49 PM

Day 441

May 26, 2021. Sunset 8:21 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Thank you Thea for stopping by- Riley likes you! Look at that smile.
Day 441 sunsets at home

Did you see it? Eclipse-- Super Flower Blood Moon

May 26, 2021
Supermoon total eclipse—
IMAGES

Goodnight dear Larry

May 25, 2021.

Goodnight Larry
Our dear friend and colleague from our youth at the Exploratorium passed away today.
Our love and deepest condolences to his wife- Esther, family and friends.
This is a lovely tribute.

Day 440

May 25, 2021. Sunset 8:21 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Riley takes the night off.
+1:20 light for the day
Day 440 sunsets at home

Day 439 Riley greets her fans

May 24, 2021. Sunset 8:20 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Riley greets her fans. Approaches the bell. And succeeds in performing "a double"! (that’s what we've come to call 2 rings for one push.) It's a heavy bell and quite an accomplishment- especially for such a short performer.
+1:23 more daylight—(can't find the moon...)
Day 439 sunsets at home

super flower blood moon eclipse

May 23, 2021

image: Getty
Don't miss seeing this rare heap of moon attributes if you can help it!
Coming Wednesday 5/25/21
Thanks, Caterina, for the heads up!!

FYI Super, Flower and Blood both refer to the moon—
SUPER A supermoon occurs when the Moon’s orbit is closest (perigee) to Earth at the same time the Moon is full
FLOWER The “Flower moon” is the first full moon in May
BLOOD A "blood moon" happens when the Earth’s moon is in a total lunar eclipse

Day 438 the tiny King

May 23, 2021. Sunset 8:19 PM. San Francisco, CA. And suddenly there was a noisy crowd. Even Riley brought a little friend. Meet Rex, the tiny King.
+1:25 more light today
Day 438 sunsets at home

Day 437 practicing Norman’s touch

May 22, 2021. Sunset 8:18 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Matt working on copying Norman’s technique-- the careful, quiet ring.
Meanwhile the moon creeps closer to the opposite horizon. I predict the moon will rise and the sun sets in 3 days (Tues. 5/25)—
Anyone other guesses?
Day 437 sunsets at home

Day 436

May 21, 2021. Sunset 8:18 PM. San Francisco, CA.

You can tell who has just run out of their house across the street for a moment from those who walk a ways to come for the bell ringing by the amount of clothes they are wearing.
+1:30 time in the light.
Day 436 sunsets at home

Day 435

May 20, 2021. Sunset 8:17 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Teamwork.
+1:32 more sunlight today.
Day 435 sunsets at home

Day 434

May 19, 2021. Sunset 8:17 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Moon still on the move. As it rises later each evening on the eastern horizon, the moon seems to retreat from the sun setting in the west.
+1:34 more daylight today.
Day 434 sunsets at home

Day 433

May 18, 2021. Sunset 8:15 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Moon on the move- it's a bit higher in the sky tonight- tangled in a different set of wires. Catching a lovely glow for a change - just beyond a new flowering eruption.
+1:36 sunlight today.
Day 433 sunsets at home

Day 432 booster!

May 17, 2021. Sunset 8:14 PM. San Francisco, CA.

All vaccinated- standing close to each other- evenly spaced like birds for no reason.
+1:38 daylight today. Moon is up. A little bit of sunshine. A good day.
Day 432 sunsets at home

Day 431

May 16, 2021. Sunset 8:13 PM. San Francisco, CA.

+1:40 more light (a little less added each day from now to the Solstice). Imagine the speed of a ball tossed up into the air- we're approaching the top of the arc (the Summer Solstice) -gradually slowing our ascent before the ball is momentarily suspended before returning to the ground. (you can guess what happens to the light at that point...)
Day 431 sunsets at home

Day 430

May 15, 2021. Sunset 8:13 PM. San Francisco, CA.

A quiet celebration this evening. We gained 1:42 more graylight today.
Day 430 sunsets at home

Day 429 you say goodbye I say hello

May 14, 2021. Sunset 8:12 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Mourning and celebrating together this evening. Welcome back to Mardi and to Bernie whose brother recently passed away. Hello to a new neighbor who joined us tonight. Goodbye to friends who are staying at the airport on the way to moving to the East Coast tomorrow.
daylight 14:11:48 v 09:48:12 darkness
Day 429 sunsets at home

Day 428

May 13, 2021. Sunset 8:10 PM. San Francisco, CA.

It's wonderful to have company like this every night. A special welcome to Thea this evening.
Check out the accumulating imbalance of daylight 14:10:04 v darkness 09:49:56!
Day 428 sunsets at home

Day 427

May 12, 2021. Sunset 8:10 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Foggy enough for the streetlights to turn on well before the sunset.
Daylight 14:08:17 v darkness 09:51:43
Day 427 sunsets at home

Day 426

May 11, 2021. Sunset 8:09 PM. San Francisco, CA.

It was 20º hotter just south of the city today, so we are really socked in this evening. A preview of a typical summer’s eve.
daylight 14:06:29 v darkness 09:53:31
Day 426 sunsets at home

Day 425- Not feeling it tonight?

May 10, 2021. Sunset 8:08 PM. San Francisco, CA. A happy Riley had other things on her mind this evening. Meanwhile, the doves have the best seats in the house-- so quiet and calm up there.
daylight 14:04:39 v darkness 09:55:21.
Day 425 sunsets at home

Day 424 Garage door opener too handy

May 9, 2021. Sunset 8:07 PM. San Francisco, CA.

There have been some break-ins and property stolen in the neighborhood recently, and our garage was broken into early this morning. We are ok, and nothing of great value was taken. We feel very lucky to live on this street with people who come together for each other, and wholeheartedly thank our neighbors for their kindness and support.
Day 424 sunsets at home

Day 423

May 8, 2021. Sunset 8:06 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Riley returns. She understands how treats work. The bell- not so much…yet.
daylight 14:00:54 v. darkness 09:59:06 - less than 10 hours in the dark!!!
Day 423 sunsets at home

Day 422 Riley Rings the Bell - almost

May 7, 2021. Sunset 8:05 PM. San Francisco, CA. Sunset is the same time this evening as last evening. The expansion of light is still on but slowing down- until the Solstice. Riley, however, is upping her game - with a little help from her friends.
daylight 13:58:59 v darkness 10:01:01
Day 422 sunsets at home

Day 421 sweet Riley

May 6, 2021. Sunset 8:05 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Riley confides in Matt before demonstrating her bell ringing technique.
daylight 13:57:03 v darkness 10:02:57
Day 421 sunsets at home

Day 420 Happy Cinco de Mayo!

May 5, 2021.Sunset 8:04 PM. San Francisco, CA.

An offering
daylight 13:55:05 v. darkness 10:04:55
Day 420 sunsets at home

Day 419

May 4, 2021. Sunset 8:03 PM. San Francisco, CA.

The dove comes later
daylight 13:53:05 v darkness 10:06:55
Day 419 sunsets at home

Merle on the edge

May 4, 2021. Sunset 8:14 PM. Ironwood, MI.

"Merle enjoying the sunset". - Kathy Roman.
Merle is laying a few feet from the edge of the cliff overlooking Lake Superior 300 vertical feet below.
Just enjoying the view.
woo.

Day 418 Baby's first bell ringing

May 3, 2021. Sunset 8:02 PM. San Francisco, CA.

The newest member of the family. Congratulations Uncle Matt!
daylight 13:51:05 v darkness 10:08:55
Day 418 sunsets at home

Day 417

May 2, 2021. Sunset 8:01 PM. San Francisco, CA.

I love how this quiet dove remains throughout the ruckus that we make. What a blessing!
daylight 13:49:03 v darkness 10:10:57
Day 417 sunsets at home

Day 416 tipped into 8:00

May 1, 2021. Sunset EIGHT O’CLOCK! San Francisco, CA.

Too windy for the birds tonight
daylight 13:46:59 v darkness 10:13:01
Day 416 sunsets at home

Day 415

April 30, 2021. Sunset 7:29 PM. San Francisco, CA.

ringing and swinging - the band is back, but the dove took the evening off (perhaps she prefers a less exuberant sunset).
daylight 13:44:55 v darkness 10:15:05
Day 415 sunsets at home

before during after

April 29, 2021. Sunset 7:58 PM. San Francisco, CA.

before during after. Kiki examines residue of an earlier visitor.
daylight 13:42:49 v Darkness 10:17:11
Day 414 sunsets at home.

an audience of trees

April 29, 2021. Sunset 8:07 PM. Ironwood, MI.

“Another view of the lake- a few minutes after sunset.”
- Kathy Roman

Day 413 meanwhile...

April 28, 2021. Sunset 7:57 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Meanwhile a few minutes later and a few miles down the road…
The dove is here- across the street on different wire this evening.
we're gradually unmasking…
daylight 13:40:42 v darkness 10:19:18
Day 413 sunsets at home