Nature & Science
Sunrise Sunset
Fri., May 7 5:31 7:45
Sat., May 8 5:30 7:46
Sun., May 9 5:28 7:47
Mon., May 10 5:27 7:48
Tues., May 11 5:26 7:49
Wed., May 12 5:25 7:50
Thurs., May 13 5:24 7:51
Fri., May 14 5:23 7:53
Lanny McDowell, famed artist and photographer, whose photographs of birds have graced the pages of the Vineyard Gazette, and in particular the Bird News, is in the hospital in Tucson, Ariz. Lan suffered an abdominal aneurism, from which few survive, while birding in the mountains of Arizona with birding friend Porter Turnbull. Lanny is a survivor. His experience is similar to that of the Vineyard’s ospreys. Close to extinction, the ospreys rebounded thanks to the efforts of a team of Vineyarders who erected osprey poles and scientists who helped ban the use of DDT.
So much for love!
I wouldn’t have been flattered to have received the token of love that Zeus bestowed on his mistress Io. In his haste to hide his affair from his wife, Hera, he turned his beloved Io into a heifer. Holy cow — what an unromantic move!
The Island’s youngest fish ermen were treated to a quiet, still morning last Saturday. The anglers came early to Duarte’s Pond in West Tisbury to compete in the annual spring Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club trout tournament. The club hosted the event with a large crew of volunteers. Youngsters were treated to hot dogs on the grill.
The club had stocked the pond with plenty of large trout, but it was the native pickerel that gave fishermen the best catch. Native catfish were also plentiful.
By LYNNE IRONS
What I wouldn’t give for a crystal ball. The weather has been just beautiful and unseasonably warm this past week. My peppers and eggplants are more than big enough to go into the ground but I am somewhat hesitant. It still seems early for crops that love warm nights. Since most of my life has operated under the Murphy’s Law principle, I see a freeze possible still in my low-lying new vegetable garden. I may take a chance and have a supply of Reemay at the ready. It will give an extra five degrees.
The Stone Soup Leadership Institute announced this week that the Menemsha Inn will host the Vineyard’s first youth summit for sustainable development. The summit will be held from June 26 to July 2; 50 young people aged 16 to 23 will envision their future and learn to become leaders of a more sustainable world.
Almanac
A comprehensive guide to weather and tides on the Island.
Vineyard Gardener
I guess this past week weather-wise is called a January thaw. We did not really experience it the last several years as December was unseasonably warm.
Farm & Field
Beige and brown and tan and black, with horns spiraled or semicircular or in undulating waves, a legion of goats marched up the hill toward us, bleating in anticipation of fresh grass and leaves.