Nature & Science
Following the resolution of a year-long contractual standoff between the University of Massachusetts and the state Department of Environmental Protection, a number of long-delayed reports on the health of the Vineyard’s ponds are again on track for completion.
The long dispute over who owned data used for computer modeling of water quality in bays and estuaries drastically slowed work on the federally-mandated effort to assess and then reduce pollution problems.
It’s called the Dairy Farm Preservation Act, but legislation signed into law last week by Gov. Deval Patrick will be a boost for all kinds of small farmers. The law will make available more grant money and funds, will create a special board to promote dairy farming in the commonwealth and will increase to 10 miles the distance farmers can drive their unregistered tractors and farm equipment.
Laura Campbell of Rainbow Farm asked with concern about her barn swallows. For years they have had numerous pairs of barn swallows nesting in their big barn haymow. In recent years Laura said the population has dwindled — why? I checked with a few folks and found that several things might be involved.
First, house sparrows have competed for barn swallow nesting sites and won. An increase in house sparrows in the barn might be part of the problem.
Tomorrow night’s full moon appears in the zodiacal constellation Aquarius. The moon is called the Sturgeon moon by the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Prior to rising tomorrow night, observers in the Middle and Far East will see a partial lunar eclipse. The partial eclipse will be best visible from the Eastern Atlantic Ocean to as far east as India.
Friday, August 8: Thunderstorm in the first hours of the morning. Bright lightning fills the skies over Vineyard Haven. Rain is heavy and stops by 3 a.m. The morning is partly cloudy.
Just because it can be pink and frilly, don’t assume that this animal is female.
Instead, you might want to inquire what the moon jellyfish, which can have hues of pink, purple, orange, or red, had for dinner. It seems that the light shade of color that these gelatinous bodies take on is a result of their meal choice. Carnivorous moon jellyfish that eat certain types of crustaceans show more orange, while those that prefer shrimp tend to have shades of pink or lavender.
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.