Nature & Science
On Sunday night the first quarter moon appears next to the bright planet Jupiter, high in the southern sky. The two are in the zodiacal constellation Pisces. The show continues for another night, on Monday night, when the two appear close together, though the moon will appear to have passed by and to the east of the planet.
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
Jan. 20 39 26 .09
Jan. 21 36 23 .05*
Jan. 22 33 28 .45*
Jan. 23 42 32 .00
Jan. 24 52 41 .34
Jan. 25 49 34 Trace
Jan. 26 44 32 .17*
*Melted precipitation
Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 42º F.
On Jan. 21, during the snowstorm with about one and one-half inches of snow already on the ground, Lanny McDowell spotted an ovenbird as he was looking out a window from his house near Lake Tashmoo. It was about five feet below him, hopping on the snow. He went outside and briefly saw it again, flying weakly into an evergreen hedgerow.
Don't expect the sounds of silence this winter.
Nature is noisy. For those that are willing to brave the cold weather, a sound safari awaits! The drumming of woodpeckers, creaking of trees, rushing of winds and cracking of ice provide a lot of acoustic action this season.
Winter is a slower time for most of us. There is less light, less outdoor time and definitely fewer people. There might even be less noise, though the sounds we hear seem to be so much louder.
Finally, some real winter!!! Last weekend’s snowstorm made all the children, young and old, very happy. Even Saturday afternoon with wind-driven sleet did not stop many of the most hardy from enjoying the hill at the Tashmoo Overlook. Then, on Sunday, even more were out and about just marveling at the beauty of it all.
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
Jan. 13 52 40 .73
Jan. 14 55 32 Trace
Jan. 15 36 14 .00
Jan. 16 21 13 .00
Jan. 17 44 20 .23
Jan. 18 53 42 .20
Jan. 19 44 22 .00
Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 39º F.
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.