After Bell Cedar storm

I've been feeling cooped up, but such is the way with the pre-holidays prep, so any opportunity to get outside and walk, even if there's the threat of rain, is a gamble worth taking. To cut the risk of the dSLR getting soaked, I packed several plastic bags. I also toted the waterproof Fuji, so if the precipitation got heavy but there were good images to be captured, I'd manage. East of my path, the clouds grew darker and more purple, but to the west, the weather broke and, riding low on the horizon, the sun started to emerge. The result was beautiful, almost-honey light—more October warm than December chill. I marveled at the contrast show... and, once home,  thoroughly checked my body for the presence of deer ticks. They should be long gone by now, but the unnatural light and warmth have made it possible for the parasites to just keep on plaguing the vertebrate community.