Island Light: Midwinter, Supposedly
Never-ending waves crash upon the shore of Lucy Vincent Beach.
Never-ending waves crash upon the shore of Lucy Vincent Beach.
Vulnerable clay cliffs at Lucy Vincent have taken a beating this winter.
Vulnerable clay cliffs at Lucy Vincent have taken a beating this winter.
Eiders have a rock with a view.
Eiders have a rock with a view.
Fish pots stacked on the dock at Menemsha.
Fish pots stacked on the dock at Menemsha.
It's the time of year for repairing fishing nets and other equipment.
It's the time of year for repairing fishing nets and other equipment.
Safe to say, you're safe from jellyfish stings this time of year.
Safe to say, you're safe from jellyfish stings this time of year.
Loon has a treat.
Loon has a treat.
Browsing the rental skate options at the Martha's Vineyard Ice Arena.
Browsing the rental skate options at the Martha's Vineyard Ice Arena.
Chase Toomey lines up his shot for the high school boys hockey team.
Chase Toomey lines up his shot for the high school boys hockey team.
Liam Conley leads the offensive attack.
Liam Conley leads the offensive attack.
Clamming boat at rest in Lagoon Pond.
Clamming boat at rest in Lagoon Pond.
Twilight time at Owen Park.
Twilight time at Owen Park.
Evening along Main street, Vineyard Haven.
Evening along Main street, Vineyard Haven.
Ocean Park Bandstand illuminated at dusk.
Ocean Park Bandstand illuminated at dusk.
Lampost lights the base of Circuit avenue.
Lampost lights the base of Circuit avenue.
IFAW workers attend to a north Atlantic right whale stranding at Cow Bay.
IFAW workers attend to a north Atlantic right whale stranding at Cow Bay.
We are about midway between winter solstice and vernal equinox, but the weather feels more like early spring than midwinter. We've had all the precipitation that even the driest duck could ask for, but it's been rain, not snow. The sun rises now at about ten minutes before seven, some twenty minutes earlier than at solstice, and sets at five. Surely it's fair to feel the pull of spring, even though we haven't really had winter.
It's still the quiet time of the Vineyard year, the few months we savor before the summer to come. But in the mild, lengthening days, it's not so quiet as once it was.