Island Light: Night Criers
Day sets behind the East Chop Light and the sounds of the August night begin.
Day sets behind the East Chop Light and the sounds of the August night begin.
Still water and clear reflection at the Head of the Lagoon.
Still water and clear reflection at the Head of the Lagoon.
Water's eye view to the barrier beach at Katama Bay.
Water's eye view to the barrier beach at Katama Bay.
Paddle boarders float across the surface of Sengekontacket.
Paddle boarders float across the surface of Sengekontacket.
Fishing charter boat Skipper makes her way back to Oak Bluffs.
Fishing charter boat Skipper makes her way back to Oak Bluffs.
Tisbury Wharf's bright yellow in contrast with blue of Vineyard Haven harbor.
Tisbury Wharf's bright yellow in contrast with blue of Vineyard Haven harbor.
West Tisbury pines and native grasses as far as the eye can see.
West Tisbury pines and native grasses as far as the eye can see.
Roadside stand of zinnias in a colorful coffee can. So August.
Roadside stand of zinnias in a colorful coffee can. So August.
The nature writer Hal Borland wrote: "Nearly all these night criers are wing-scratchers. Only an entomologist can list them accurately and completely, for they include both true and false katydids, several varieties of crickets, certain grasshoppers, and lesser-known kin of them all. They have two things in common: They love the night, and they have 'files' or 'scratchers,' with which to vibrate their wings and make their night sounds." Nothing says August nights more than cicada song.