Island Light: Turning Point
Rosa rugosa blooms on State Beach in the warming days of May.
Rosa rugosa blooms on State Beach in the warming days of May.
Grazing in the greening fields of Chilmark.
Grazing in the greening fields of Chilmark.
Bumblebee works upside-down as a pollinator.
Bumblebee works upside-down as a pollinator.
Traveling on Moshup Trail in Aquinnah.
Traveling on Moshup Trail in Aquinnah.
Ferns thrive along Fulling Mill Brook in Chilmark.
Ferns thrive along Fulling Mill Brook in Chilmark.
Beechcraft Model 18 aircraft makes a visit to the Martha's Vineyard Airport.
Beechcraft Model 18 aircraft makes a visit to the Martha's Vineyard Airport.
Coast Guard educates at a field trip aboard a cutter.
Coast Guard educates at a field trip aboard a cutter.
Menemsha Coast Guard boathouse.
Menemsha Coast Guard boathouse.
Deer has eyes on you.
Deer has eyes on you.
Beach plum blooms in the landscape around Lobsterville house.
Beach plum blooms in the landscape around Lobsterville house.
Hawk circles in the air on the hunt for food.
Hawk circles in the air on the hunt for food.
Turkey vulture on their perch.
Turkey vulture on their perch.
Cruise ship visits Vineyard Haven on a cloudy day.
Cruise ship visits Vineyard Haven on a cloudy day.
Gay Head Light.
Gay Head Light.
Only a ripple in the water in Menemsha harbor.
Only a ripple in the water in Menemsha harbor.
Preparing for the season.
Preparing for the season.
End of day off west Chop.
End of day off west Chop.
The end of May signals a clear turning point in the Island year. Memorial Day weekend carries two messages, one official, the other unofficial. It offers a time to remember and honor those fallen in battle and a moment to celebrate the gathering of summer, even if another month of uncertain New England spring remains.
Now comes the season of arrival. The holiday weekend begins for many the journey back to the Island after a long winter’s absence. This is the start of the rush toward summer, that most robust of all Island seasons, when seasonal residents and friends and so many strangers on a first visit to the Vineyard return to this land in the sea.