Technically, it's summer until the equinox on September 22 but already -- do you feel it? -- autumn is in the air. Up in the Santa Monica mountains, where temps typically top out in the 80s and 90s this time of year, we've had a cool spell. Add in the shrinking days, the growing twilight, the ever-steepening shadows (to say nothing of sadistic back-to-school sales) and there it is, the feeling of fall.

Among the sycamores, bark bright white, leaves so green, birds hidden (singing) in the branches, it's summersummerstillsummer.

But a few feet away and a few hours later, the oaks tell a different story.