Nature & Science
By LYNNE IRONS
Every week I have a few moments of angst concerning writing material but have never been one to experience a loss of words for very long.
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
Jan. 18 45 23 .17
Jan. 19 50 26 .00
Jan. 20 38 24 .02*
Jan. 21 31 15 .00
Jan. 22 30 14 .00
Jan. 23 43 28 .54
Jan. 24 39 23 .00
*Melted Precipitation
Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 39º F.
The best planetary show of the month takes place early in the morning. The two brightest planets in our night sky appear together as a close pair. Venus and Jupiter are doing a planetary dance and they can be seen close to the horizon an hour before sunrise.
In the forest, the dead sometimes stand tall and refuse to fall.
Don’t mourn for these deceased; they are a sign of healthy woodlands, wealthy with wildlife. In truth, there is life in tree death.
Late January is the coldest point of the year, and it leads into the snowiest. Such harsh weather is a two-edged sword for birders.
The number of birds declines as some move south and others succumb to the cold; what birds remain sulkily conserve their energy in sheltered spots; and the process of looking for birds is a chilly one for all parties concerned.
Tisbury Pond Walk
The Trustees of Reservation will sponsor a walk at the Tisbury Pond Club on Sunday, Feb. 3 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Hear the tale of a special hunt club whose members yearned to keep Long Point open and wild, as we view old journals, photographs, and duck hunting equipment. A walk will uncover old duck blinds and lead us toward our wildlife viewing blind.
Admission is free. To attend the walk, use Deep Bottom Road, the winter entrance to Long Point Wildlife Refuge, in West Tisbury. To register, call 508-693-7662.
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.