Nature & Science
Quite a few of the fishermen boarding the party fishing boat Skipper in Oak Bluffs on Wednesday morning before 8 a.m. were repeat customers. They toted their own coolers loaded with refreshments, and towels for keeping their hands clean.
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
July 24 75 63 .81
July 25 75 62 Trace
July 26 77 66 Trace
July 27 81 68 .00
July 28 79 67 .00
July 29 83 69 Trace
July 30 78 70 .07
Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 74º F.
Tonight’s gibbous moon appears low in the southern sky in the zodiacal constellation Sagittarius. The moon’s intense brightness will dominate the starry night sky this weekend. The Sailor’s Moon, is on Wednesday.
Friday, July 24: Overnight heavy rain. Morning sunshine. High wind warning over Vineyard waters. Large 15-foot seas offshore. Strong southerly breeze keeps most of the shark tournament boats tied up in the harbor. Late afternoon turns sunny and warm. Wildflowers dot a field at Sweetened Water Farm. Late afternoon is quiet on Lagoon Pond.
Even the best, most advanced and careful observers can misidentify birds. Last Friday, July 24, I received a message from two good Vineyard birders that they had spotted an upland plover in the plowed squash fields at the Farm Institute. This is a common fall migrant in small numbers and is fun to see. I couldn’t make it to the Farm Institute Friday, but made a date with Lanny McDowell and Pete Gilmore to go on Saturday.
By LYNNE IRONS
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.