Nature & Science
Blue crab is a Vineyard seafood delicacy. For many years, the idea of eating blue crab here was kept quiet among those who knew where to find them. They were the Vineyard’s secret seafood.
But increasing awareness of the health of the Island’s great ponds has moved the topic above a whisper; the only secret now is where.
BY LYNNE IRONS
Friday, August 13: Hazy morning. East wind. Temperature rises to the high 70s. Sunny. Fair weather cumulus clouds over Telegraph Hill. Starry night.
Saturday, August 14: Cool morning. Air is crisp. Temperature starts in the mid 50s. A bright-clear-sunny, late summer day. The air is dry. High flying cirrus clouds move slowly over the West Tisbury Farmers’ Market. A cloud of dust follows a car driving down a dirt road. A small parade of motorcycles head up-Island in the afternoon.
“NO ONE ALIVE WILL EVER SEE THIS,” screamed the subject line in all capital letters.
Don’t believe the hype. Though this title sounds as if it is forecasting a very exciting occurrence, I can assureyou that it is just hoax-us pokus.
Dick Jennings sent me a photograph of a shore bird he found out on the shore of Cape Pogue Bay. The caption was “What is this, it looks like a willet, but it is the wrong color?” Dick was correct, it was a willet and his confusion was legitimate. There are two subspecies of willets found in the United States. One is the eastern (Tringa semipalmata semipalmata) and the other the western willet (Tringa semipalmata inornata).
For the Birds
The Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club will hold its annual meeting today, August 17, at 1 p.m. at the Old Mill in West Tisbury. The topic for this month’s program is How Birds Have Changed, presented by Islander and Gazette columnist Soo Whiting. A hospitality hour with refreshments will follow the program. Anyone interested in horticulture, home gardening, flower arranging and preserving the best qualities of the Island environment is welcome. Admission is $5 for guests, free for members. For details, call 508-693-5334.
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.