Winter

I love Nantucket's winter.  There are fewer people,  there are fewer leaves obscuring the contours of the trees and landscapes, there are fewer  distractions.  The sun rises from the south, and the angle of the light gives the land a crispness not there in the other seasons.  On a rainy or misty day,  the lichens bloom bright green, creating a contrast with the maroon and gray branches.  

The weather seems more extreme, bringing huge storms and their aftermath.  There was a huge nor'easter on February 1.  The wind had blown over 40 mph on average for more than 9 hours,  and we had high gusts over 50 mph for  12 hrs. Wind speeds were up to  67 mph on the bluff, and tore one of our storm windows off.  I hiked on Low Beach to see the flotsam and jetsam. 

 

Flooded Low Beach Feb 1

Storm Wash at Low Beach

Low Beach Bearberry\

When I walk on the beach in the winter,  I see more death. At Low Beach,  I found 2 dead common murres  and an eider . When I hiked to Coskata Pond the next day,  I saw 2 more dead common murres and an eider.  The wrack line was far over the dunes,  and stretched across the road. 

This drama of the winter landscape speaks to the essentials of life.  Spring may be birth,  but winter makes death more visible.

Common Murre

Common Murre

Common Murre

Male Eider