Skywatch Friday - Martha's Vineyard

Herring gull on the navigational equipment.
Ferry from Woods Hole to Martha's Vineyard

Greetings from Martha’s Vineyard. The trip to New England is going splendidly. On Monday, Leon and I visited New Hampshire. We drove up to the southern White Mountains on a brilliantly sunny day. I was surprised at the paucity of insect life, but the views were amazing. The high point of the day was stopping in to meet Will and Fritz and see their new house. The house is spectacular. Will and Fritz are both really grat guys. We had a delicious dinner at a local restaurant, and conversation that spanned a diverse array of topics. It was one of those evenings that end too soon.

Will and Fritz' place


Me and Will

On Wednesday we joined David, my BIL, and drove down to Cape Cod to catch the ferry boat to Martha’s Vineyard. As we entered the Cape, we noticed that the ends of the branches of the oak trees were all dead. It’s cicada damage. I did not realize that this was the emergence year for the 17-year cicadas in this part of the world. I’m glad to see them, some of the web sites that I was checking out during last year’s Chicago emergence said that the southeast Massachusetts population was extinct. Not hardly. The damage was far more extensive than anything I saw in Illinois. Fortunately, all but the youngest trees will recover from the damage. Unfortunately, I failed to take a photo (dumb move).

Woods Hole

Vineyard Haven

We have been staying in a cottage in Chilmark with the Chilmark Girl, the BIL, and the nephew. The cottage sits in a big field wurrounded by oak/pine scrub. It’s very beautiful. Thursday was the nephew’s 13th birthday. I gave him a black light. We were all very dissapointed in how little insect life came to the light.

Scallops in lemon pesto

Salmon with mascarpone and capers.
Chilmark Girl has outdone herself.

The weather has been gorgeous- clear and mild, more like September than August. The nights have actually been chilly. We’ve been eating extremely well. Chilmark Girl iis an awesome cook. I’ve found some interesting insect life in the dunes just up the street- hairy necked tiger beetles and seaside grasshoppers. I haven’t managed to get decent pictures yet, but there will be ample opportunities today when we go four wheeling to Cape Poge.

The beach with cool insects.
Pictures (I hope) later.