Nature & Science
My Vineyard hikes take me to many beautiful sites. I enjoy seeing the diversity of landscapes, many influenced by their agricultural past. A frequent plant I encounter in abandoned farm fields is northern bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica, now Morella pensylvanica). Quick to reclaim open pastureland, the shrubs have the unique ability to fix their own atmospheric nitrogen through specialized structures called root nodules. The nodules contain the nitrogen-fixing bacteria Frankia. This mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship allows bayberry to grow in soils with low fertility.
Coastal Pond Discussion
On Thursday, August 23, beginning at 4:30 p.m., Dr. John Todd leads a discussion entitled Stewardship of Martha’s Vineyard Waters, in particular the problems faced by the coastal ponds in the region. The talk takes place at the Tisbury Senior Center and is co-sponsered by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission and Tisbury Waterways Incorporated.
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
August 10 82 70 .00
August 11 81 70 .68
August 12 80 70 .48
August 13 80 69 .04
August 14 83 65 Trace
August 15 85 69 .00
August 16 81 67 .66
Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 79º F.
A thin crescent moon will appear low in the southwestern sky on Monday night. The moon is three days old; only those with an unobstructed view of the southwest will see it soon after sunset.
Cape Wind, the controversial 130-turbine project slated for construction on Horseshoe Shoal, cleared its final regulatory hurdle this week when the Federal Aviation Administration determined that the project would not pose a hazard to aviation.
On the drawing board for 10 years, Cape Wind is planned to be the country’s largest offshore wind farm, covering 50 square miles in Nantucket Sound.
The third try was the charm for the Edgartown Shellfish department. After two attempts earlier this month to open up Edgartown Great Pond to the Atlantic Ocean, shellfish constable Paul Bagnall and his crew finally succeeded Monday in creating a channel through the South Shore, allowing the freshwater and the saltwater to mingle, as it were.
The third try was the charm for the Edgartown Shellfish department. After two attempts earlier this month to open up Edgartown Great Pond to the Atlantic Ocean, shellfish constable Paul Bagnall and his crew finally succeeded Monday in creating a channel through the South Shore, allowing the freshwater and the saltwater to mingle, as it were.
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.