Vernal Equinox 2024

 I longed to get to Nantucket.  Our last visit was in December; this was the longest time I’d been away from the island in many years.  I drove the car to the ferry in Hyannis and enjoyed the rhythm of an almost empty slow boat.  Northern gannets, long-tailed ducks , black scoters, and many many surf scoters were enjoying Nantucket Sound. As we approached the harbor, seals sunbathed on the rocks of the jetty and  a purple sandpiper bopped about .  After a greeting party of eiders and gulls, I caught sight of the Brants at First Point. We have arrived!

I don’t mind the silver gray colors and drab brush.  The hints of spring are here, in the daffodils pushing themselves up through the soil, but not yet blooming. The temperature in the 40s and winds in the teens seems appropriate, as do the bare shrubs and brown lawns.  The winter ducks are still here…. Ruddy ducks and American wigeon and buffleheads at Sesachacha, and harlequin ducks off Sankaty Head.  The atmosphere is filled with potential…for the burst of life that will soon be upon us.

Equal hours of light and dark now.  And with the move to Daylight Savings Time, it’s easy to be up at or before sunrise at 6:50 am.  The sunrise and sunset at the equinox is directly in front of our house.  With the move toward the solstice, the sun will rise further to the  north.

The winter ocean is filled with bird life, compared to the summer.  Rafts of eiders and scoters sit off the bluff, and long-tailed ducks busily fly about.  The  occasional red-throated loon and razorbill spice things up.  Gannets soar over the rip.

But there were no snowy owls in Nantucket this winter…and none I think at Plum Island or Salisbury Beach, other likely haunts. I saw a picture on Facebook of one in Maine.  Perhaps the lemmings were abundant in the far north,  or perhaps the lack of snow in New England this winter discouraged them from showing themselves.

Norwood Farm is quiet …no planes overhead and no bird sound during my hike. But the ponds are full, with green winged teal, scaup and American black ducks.  Almanac Pond is still very low…but at least has some water.

Erosion was strong this winter. Winds were often from the south and southeast, rather than the northeast and northwest. 

Now, there is the Windswept bog restoration to check out.  Dinner to be had with year-round friends.  Sankaty Light has a new, brighter light that flicks into my window in the dark.  Tennis to be watched and books to be read.  Spring is coming.

O

Brant

Sankaty Light

Norwood Oak

Moor Pond

American Wigeon

Red-breasted Merganser Male