Nature & Science
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
Dec. 11 45 25 .00
Dec. 12 30 24 .00
Dec. 13 43 32 .00
Dec. 14 53 34 .92
Dec. 15 49 38 .02
Dec. 16 52 31 .01
Dec. 17 34 22 .00
Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 42º F.
Susie Bowman has a cedar situation.
The red cedar trees in the field behind her house are infected, which means that the apple trees in the area also may be in jeopardy. A match made in heaven these plants are not. In fact, they make a toxic twosome if they are in the right (or in this case, wrong) company.
This is the start of the quiet time for wildlife on the Vineyard. Fall migration is essentially over, with the possible exception of a few hawks that got a late start. Most of the hardy species that usually winter here in small numbers have retired to thickets and swampy places. This group includes birds like hermit thrushes, rufous-sided towhees, a few field and chipping sparrows, white-throated sparrows that nest much further north, and some slate-colored juncos. They will survive on natural seeds and berries from poison ivy, bayberry, bittersweet, winterberry, holly and an occasional crabapple. Cedar waxwings, robins and eastern bluebirds also are still around in small groups. Later in the winter, more of these three species may arrive from the Cape if they run out of food over there, making it look like an early spring influx.
By LYNNE IRONS
Trudy Taylor stopped by for a visit. We have common interests in canaries and gardening. We discussed our love for chicken and how many meals one can eat from one bird. I believe we settled on five for a small one. The first night, of course, can be enjoyed with several side dishes. Of late, I’ve been cooking a roaster in the Dutch oven in the wood cook stove. I never add water to meat. I find it toughens it — better to let it stew in its own juices. I’ve been known to do that myself.
Meteors, also known as shooting stars, sometimes grace our evening sky. They can come from any direction and at any time. Some are brilliant fireballs and some are so faint they are barely visible.
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
Dec. 4 63 36 .01
Dec. 5 52 39 Trace
Dec. 6 49 33 1.00
Dec. 7 37 26 .00
Dec. 8 43 32 .00
Dec. 9 40 27 .38
Dec. 10 59 40 1.07
Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 48º F.
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.