Before the clouds grew dense, the afternoon was placid, though uncomfortably warm, and was filled with the sound of bees. I continue to see an uncommonly large number of bumblebees this year, but the usually ubiquitous yellowjackets are rare. There have been more butterflies than in recent years as well, but most of the lepidopts I've seen have been white. I have no idea what has become of the monarchs and other colorful species.
Despite the clouds, I can see the slightly gibbous moon and, little more than its diameter distant, the bright pinpoint of light that is Jupiter. The sight will soon vanish under drifting clouds, though, so I'm going out to watch it while it's there.