It's already getting dark because early evening has set in. Since the "ber" months are here, our daytime is noticeably shorter, and darkness falls well before 6 PM. It looks like the days will only continue to shrink in the coming months.
I just finished my walk, and dusk was already settled by the time I left the farthest point of my route. It's a nice change to see the streetlights turning on much earlier than they did over the summer. Another pleasant surprise is how the grass managed to stay so vibrant and green, especially despite the ongoing drought.