While Rhonda Backus was working inside Alley’s General Store last weekend she noticed a crowd gathering outside.

“It was a vibe of when the president drives by,” she said.

But instead of watching a motorcade, the crowd had gathered to see a procession of black and white baby skunks.

The nights ahead leading up to the Fourth of July are the best as we have an assembly of brilliant stars and bright planets.

Scouting and tracking willets is considered important seasonal work among Vineyard biologists. The study of the migratory shorebirds may also provide important information about climate change.

A few weeks back, after an afternoon spent thinning her garlic plants, Sue Silva had a large bag of young garlic that she offered to our group of knitters. No one jumped at the offer of spring garlic, so she was planning to put them in her compost.

Originally found in the northern climes of eastern Canada, the great cormorant’s distribution has changed.

Last week Gov. Deval Patrick announced that 742,000 acres of ocean south of Martha’s Vineyard will soon be available for commercial wind energy leases. On Monday state officials appeared on the Island to explain the project.