Fireweed...grows wild all over Alaska. So called because it's one of the early plants to appear after a wild fire. The flowers can be harvested for use in nectars and jams and such. The locals watch it as a sign for impending winter when it finishes blooming.

Gigantic Jet Lightning over China Image Credit & Copyright: Phebe Pan Explanation: That's no meteor. While watching and photographing this year's Perseid Meteor Shower, something unexpected happened: a gigantic jet erupted from a nearby cloud. The whole thing was over in a flash -- it lasted less than a second -- but was fortunately captured by an already-recording digital camera. Gigantic jets are a rare form of lightning recognized formally only a few years ago. The featured high resolution color image, taken near the peak of Shikengkong mountain in China, may be the best image yet of this unusual phenomenon. The same event appears to have been captured simultaneously by another photographer, further away. The gigantic jet appears to start somewhere in a nearby thundercloud and extend upwards towards Earth's ionosphere. The nature of gigantic jets and their possible association with other types of Transient Luminous Events (TLEs) such as blue jets and red sprites remains an active topic of research.

It's my favorite time of year too, Jasdip. Weather is lovely (mostly) and I enjoy that fall scent in the air. Too bad winter has to follow! lol!

I was thrilled a few years ago to check a major item off my bucket list, that of visiting the Library of Congress in Washington. The LC has a huge influence on libraries with its classification system, subject headings, enormous database and likely much more. The interior of the building is beautiful and the 2nd photo shows some of its lovely art and architecture.