Island Light: Chilled Light
Red-tailed hawk admires osprey's work at Felix Neck.
Red-tailed hawk admires osprey's work at Felix Neck.
Jason Kornalski looks cool in midday sun in Oak Bluffs.
Jason Kornalski looks cool in midday sun in Oak Bluffs.
Beached boat below, flying swans above, at Chilmark Pond.
Beached boat below, flying swans above, at Chilmark Pond.
Timeless refections at the fishing port of Menemsha.
Timeless refections at the fishing port of Menemsha.
Choppy seas pound the seawall on Oak Bluffs harbor.
Choppy seas pound the seawall on Oak Bluffs harbor.
Sea swirls and churns against the fishing pier in Oak Bluffs.
Sea swirls and churns against the fishing pier in Oak Bluffs.
Golden maple leaves gather along a Vineyard Haven sidewalk.
Golden maple leaves gather along a Vineyard Haven sidewalk.
Summer park goers make way for off-season dwellers.
Summer park goers make way for off-season dwellers.
Half submerged or half floating. Depends on your point of view.
Half submerged or half floating. Depends on your point of view.
Colorful scup, caught in Oak Bluffs Lagoon.
Colorful scup, caught in Oak Bluffs Lagoon.
Bobbing boats in Vineyard Haven harbor.
Bobbing boats in Vineyard Haven harbor.
Do you know how many stones were used to build the First Baptist Church.
Do you know how many stones were used to build the First Baptist Church.
Autumnal changes color the shore at Tashmoo.
Autumnal changes color the shore at Tashmoo.
As Islanders pile on sweaters and scarves and fleece jackets, our falling foliage places other Vineyard dwellers in an even sharper light: a line of birds perched on the golden weathervane atop the Federated Church in Edgartown, a squirrel scampering over a Vineyard Haven lawn, clutching one more nut for burial. Our next season stands waiting in the wings while the late autumn sun races through bare limbs, casting the Island in stark, chilled light.