Island Light: Ice
Conditions are ideal for ice boating at Squibnocket Pond.
Conditions are ideal for ice boating at Squibnocket Pond.
Young parents hit the indoor Ice Arena for some stroller skating.
Young parents hit the indoor Ice Arena for some stroller skating.
Is it wind surfing? Is it kite skating? Who knows, but it sure looks fun.
Is it wind surfing? Is it kite skating? Who knows, but it sure looks fun.
January sun in crisp blue skies over frozen Lagoon Pond.
January sun in crisp blue skies over frozen Lagoon Pond.
Bearded icicles decorate pilings of East Chop pier.
Bearded icicles decorate pilings of East Chop pier.
Swans and other waterfowl have coping tricks to handle frigid temperatures.
Swans and other waterfowl have coping tricks to handle frigid temperatures.
Ice patterns in Vineyard Haven Harbor.
Ice patterns in Vineyard Haven Harbor.
Vibrant green moss provides splash of color in otherwise drab CHilmark woods.
Vibrant green moss provides splash of color in otherwise drab CHilmark woods.
Rock walls and winter trees dot the landscape at Waskosim's Rock.
Rock walls and winter trees dot the landscape at Waskosim's Rock.
Fresh West Tisbury water flows out of the grip of cold.
Fresh West Tisbury water flows out of the grip of cold.
Edgartown churches starkly white in winter.
Edgartown churches starkly white in winter.
Decorative trim adorns whaling captain's home.
Decorative trim adorns whaling captain's home.
Ducks paddle and huddle together in Sengekontacket.
Ducks paddle and huddle together in Sengekontacket.
One of the mainstay Main street buildings in Vineyard Haven.
One of the mainstay Main street buildings in Vineyard Haven.
Barber Blair Hill opens his shop, Native Cuts, after a frozen weekend.
Barber Blair Hill opens his shop, Native Cuts, after a frozen weekend.
In the beginning, there was ice. Well, the beginning of 2018 anyway. This year's chill has our attention as the winter air sharpens our view to the horizon. After the season of swinging screen doors comes the season of storm windows, and we remember the cozy joys of the snug world we call indoors. Out walking, we see our own breath in the air and appreciate something essential about what it means to be alive. Somehow this season even reminds us of the dance of darkness and light, as the days grow longer and sunset, not starlight, becomes the sky’s accompaniment to the drive home from work.