Island Light: December Days
Decking the harbor in Edgartown before the Christmas festivities next week.
Decking the harbor in Edgartown before the Christmas festivities next week.
Sheep dine contentedly on the green grass at the Allen Farm
Sheep dine contentedly on the green grass at the Allen Farm
An empty hammock still looks inviting in the chilly fall temperatures on Lambert's Cove Road.
An empty hammock still looks inviting in the chilly fall temperatures on Lambert's Cove Road.
In Vineyard Haven's outer harbor, year-round boats at rest in the quiet fog.
In Vineyard Haven's outer harbor, year-round boats at rest in the quiet fog.
Tied up alongside a rainy dock.
Tied up alongside a rainy dock.
Maybe another day . . . fishermen take a rain day at the Tashmoo boat landing.
Maybe another day . . . fishermen take a rain day at the Tashmoo boat landing.
Out on Vineyard Sound, a fishing boat heads home to her port.
Out on Vineyard Sound, a fishing boat heads home to her port.
Much too early to face the day for this barn owl at Felix Neck.
Much too early to face the day for this barn owl at Felix Neck.
Rehabbing great-horned owl keeps an eye on the events at the Felix Neck Fall Festival.
Rehabbing great-horned owl keeps an eye on the events at the Felix Neck Fall Festival.
Quahaug shell bleached by the sea and the sun.
Quahaug shell bleached by the sea and the sun.
Hunters bedecked in orange head out at Long Point during deer week.
Hunters bedecked in orange head out at Long Point during deer week.
By week's end the blue skies had returned. Here at the Old Sculpin gallery.
By week's end the blue skies had returned. Here at the Old Sculpin gallery.
Up close and personal with an old Menemsha fishing shack.
Up close and personal with an old Menemsha fishing shack.
Day's end at the Coast Guard station.
Day's end at the Coast Guard station.
November slipped away this year and the mild weather that was so conducive to long walks on leaf-strewn forest paths and a shoreline dotted with scallop shells has slipped away, too, replaced by the cold rain that persisted most of the week.
But by Thursday the sun had come out again, the air warmed and lighter jackets were pulled from closets again. It gave Islanders hope, that in the dark days of this month, when sunset is at 4:11 for the entire week, that all things seemed possible.