March Brings Bitter Cold On and Off Island

Year Round residents become accustomed to cancellations due to weather conditions especially in winter. The Hyline Fast Ferry and Steamship Authority Vehicle and Passenger vessel operate Yearround weather permitting. Today was an off island day. Glad to be headed home. As The Steamship Eagle approaches the Jetties, the Burser reminds passengers traveling with cars to return to the auto deck and. Prepare to drive off. It is such a relief to be home.

If you haven't already and are expecting packages of bees or nucs it is time to begin preparing equipment. Make a list, repair equipment needing repairs including your coveralls or tops, bottoms, gloves, netting and head gear. Bees will find the smallest holes and can make their way inside your coveralls.

Clean hive bodies, frames and tools to be sure disease and vermen aren't passed on. If you are new to beekeeping, review practices and procedures and be sure to have fondant and protein patties available should the bees need feeding. If you are experienced be sure to first inspect your hives and when necessary and before the honey run, treat the bees for varroa mites and take acction  to eliminate small hive beetles. Check with your state agricultural extension service for recomendations. Here is a link for Massachusetts  https://ag.umass.edu/resources/agriculture-resources/farms-specific-faqs/beeshoney-faq

Although it is still Winter, todays weather though nippy brings to mind Summer sailing and kayaking. This is a sailboat I was given in lou of pay for a job done for a non profit. One of the nicest feelings is being out on the water on some sort of craft. Whether it is a motor powered boat or a small sail boat or kayak, it is a pleasure. I am grateful for the harbors and oceans. Do you prefer lakes, rivers and ponds, salt water harbors and oceans or ice as on Antartica?

Island Life During The Winter.Season

If you ask an Islander what kinds of activities they engage in during the off season, you might hear they enjoyed the Met Live Opera ‘La Fille du Regiment’ at the Dreamland Theater on a cold and windy Saturday afternoon. Many hike in favorite spots and still others work, travel or read the latest ‘One Book One Island’ selection, “The Monk of Mokha by Dave Eggers“ and introduces  readers to the history of Yemen and its ties to the coffee trade. 

March is a wonderful month if you take it as it is.

This is a photo from a few winters ago. A hawk quickly snatched a rabbit and flew away. It happened so fast as events seem to when I don't pay attention. Does this happen to you? This year with had so little snow, but lots of windy days. Sometimes the weather is mild and other times bitter cold. Maybe March is the new February, weather wise. Regardless, it is time to go through my apiary and garden checklists.

Catching Up

A few days ago Montana experienced an earthquake which was 5.6 on the Richter scale but I haven't heard much since. This is a photo taken in August 2007 while hiking up to the Grinnell Glacier. If it hasn't completely melted this is where it was located above the Grinnell Lake. On this particular day the air temperature was in the low 90's (f) and the air was hot and dry. When I reached the glacier, I took my socks and hiking boots off and placed my feet in the ice water. 

I'm curious how the earthquake affected the glacier? It is easy enough to Google the news stories, but I'd rather hear from someone who might have been hiking up and was within sight of the glacier during the earthquake. Of course that means they would have been aware of the earthquake as it shook the earth.

A strangely surreal day on Federal St. Nantucket.

Viewing the sunset over Sesachacha Pond tonight

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