The 1985 staff of the United States Postal Service has my stamp of approval.

In a steamy greenhouse in West Tisbury, in the warm aftermath of a summertime downpour, there are leaves, mostly green with hints of red, sparsely topping a collection of spindly stems.

Centuries ago, the branches of cleft-leaved hawthorn trees, covered with two-inch thorns and adorned with budding white blossoms, could be seen all over the Island. Now only about 30 remain.

Island scientists are trying to find out why the three sea turtles have washed up on Vineyard beaches so far this summer.

The 13-acre James Pond Preserve includes a half-mile trail loop, pond access, ample vegetation and access to 650 feet of white sand beach flanking Lambert’s Cove.

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.