Island Light: Headlong Skitter
Artist Anne McGhee works on a painting in Menemsha.
Artist Anne McGhee works on a painting in Menemsha.
The weather has been just right for a bike ride.
The weather has been just right for a bike ride.
Cool, fresh water moves through Chilmark at Fulling Mill Brook.
Cool, fresh water moves through Chilmark at Fulling Mill Brook.
Summer dinghies tied up on the shore of the Lagoon.
Summer dinghies tied up on the shore of the Lagoon.
Family of osprey take in the view from their nest atop the Tisbury Water Works.
Family of osprey take in the view from their nest atop the Tisbury Water Works.
Swaying in the breeze on the banks of Lake Tashmoo.
Swaying in the breeze on the banks of Lake Tashmoo.
The quickest way to Menemsha from Red Beach is bike ferry.
The quickest way to Menemsha from Red Beach is bike ferry.
Oystercatchers.
Oystercatchers.
Yachts are tied up in down Island harbors.
Yachts are tied up in down Island harbors.
Quiet path leads into Chilmark woods.
Quiet path leads into Chilmark woods.
Walk-in basement at Vineyard Haven's Prime Marina.
Walk-in basement at Vineyard Haven's Prime Marina.
Chrome glitters off the vintage Beechcraft Model 18 at Martha's Vineyard Airport.
Chrome glitters off the vintage Beechcraft Model 18 at Martha's Vineyard Airport.
Sun is setting earlier every day.
Sun is setting earlier every day.
Now, as August is upon us, it is apparent that the days are drawing in. Dawn is more grudging with its earliest light, and evening shadows grow long before we are quite ready for darkness to come. The headlong skitter through the days accelerates. Illumination Night is Wednesday, the Agricultural Fair will open Thursday, and the fireworks in Oak Bluffs will draw thousands on Friday.
In other words, it is summer on Martha's Vineyard, the weather is flashing its usual perfection and so far visitors have seemed to enjoy themselves hugely while harried Islanders grumble quietly about how nice it will be when September arrives. It will, it will.