Scenes From Martha's Vineyard: January 2019
Heavy winds churn up sea foam at Lucy Vincent Beach.
Heavy winds churn up sea foam at Lucy Vincent Beach.
Sunrise over Inkwell Beach jetty.
Sunrise over Inkwell Beach jetty.
Icicles cling to an Eastville pier.
Icicles cling to an Eastville pier.
Icy sunset.
Icy sunset.
Lake street boat landing on Tashmoo.
Lake street boat landing on Tashmoo.
Lunar eclipse of January's full wolf moon.
Lunar eclipse of January's full wolf moon.
Along the craggy north shore at Great Rock Bight.
Along the craggy north shore at Great Rock Bight.
Scalloping through a sheet of ice on Menemsha Pond.
Scalloping through a sheet of ice on Menemsha Pond.
The Island's westerly beacon, the Gay Head Light.
The Island's westerly beacon, the Gay Head Light.
Beautiful day for a walk on Lucy Vincent Beach.
Beautiful day for a walk on Lucy Vincent Beach.
Off the Lobster Hatchery, an osprey pole is vacated for the season.
Off the Lobster Hatchery, an osprey pole is vacated for the season.
Tending the stalls at White Stone Equestrian.
Tending the stalls at White Stone Equestrian.
Ferry crossing from Woods Hole.
Ferry crossing from Woods Hole.
Twilight at the Oak Bluffs Steamship Authority terminal.
Twilight at the Oak Bluffs Steamship Authority terminal.
Foggy morning greets Vineyard Haven harbor.
Foggy morning greets Vineyard Haven harbor.
Camp Ground cottages in January.
Camp Ground cottages in January.
Quiet solitude on a late afternoon at South Beach.
Quiet solitude on a late afternoon at South Beach.
Sheep have free range at Flat Point Farm.
Sheep have free range at Flat Point Farm.
Ferry on her Vineyard Haven run glides past East Chop.
Ferry on her Vineyard Haven run glides past East Chop.
Sanderlings scavange the shoreline in search of a meal.
Sanderlings scavange the shoreline in search of a meal.
Braving the new year with an icy plunge.
Braving the new year with an icy plunge.
Low tide on the Lagoon.
Low tide on the Lagoon.
Trapps Pond in Edgartown.
Trapps Pond in Edgartown.
Tisbury Great Pond.
Tisbury Great Pond.
Island history is alive in this Vineyard Haven cemetery.
Island history is alive in this Vineyard Haven cemetery.
Shadows and light.
Shadows and light.
A little taste of winter is just about perfect on these still mild January days. The cold and snow will come soon enough, we're sure.
Out walking, we see our own breath in the air and appreciate something essential about what it means to be alive. Somehow this season even reminds us of the dance of darkness and light, as the days grow longer and sunset, not starlight, becomes the sky's accompaniment to the drive home from work.
We'll settle for a brisk walk, and then a mug of hot coffee by the woodstove, and the sweet sensation of returning warmth.