Summer. Finally!

It finally arrived. Summer. After the worst June in recorded history, summer has arrived and it looks as though it will be here to stay for another 8 weeks. Each day now is shorter by one min. I love this time of the year but am also looking forward to winter when we can have our island back. There are only so many people and cars the island can handle before it becomes unbearable to live here. It seems particularly worse this year.

I am always able to escape the crowds and madness in my boat. I was out this weekend on the water and grabbed a few shots of the waterfront-

Community Sailing School sailboats. East Polpis Harbor.
Interesting cloud formations. Pocomo Meadows.
A busy waterfront.
Fluke boats and the idle dragger, Ruthie B. Town Pier.
New fluke boat, Underwing. Town Pier.
Harbor cruise boat, Minke.
A full boat basin.
Mega yacht. Boat basin.
Sea Owl. Fuel dock.
Mega yacht. End of Straight Wharf.
Large sailboat Med-moored. East face of Straight Wharf.
Med-moored yachts. East face of Straight Wharf.
Scott Bowman's new (to him) boat, Good Point. East Polpis Harbor.
Scott Bowman's new (to him) boat, Good Point. East Polpis Harbor.
Scott Bowman's new (to him) boat, Good Point. East Polpis Harbor.
Scott Bowman's new (to him) boat, Good Point. East Polpis Harbor.
Sunset over Hulbert Ave.

BUCK OF THE WEEK-

I recently got a new trail cam. It incorporates the latest technology where there is a very low glow infrared flash which will not scare away the deer when their picture or video is taken at night. I had some interesting results with the new cam as soon as I put it out. This buck was very curious-

Here's another video clip of the same buck. Note how he is spooked by a bird flying away.

First Day Of Summer

I think the weather has finally broke. I'm not getting my hopes up just yet as it is still Junuary here. Today was the longest day of the year. Soon the days will be getting shorter by a minute each day. I'm already looking forward to fall and the slower pace of the island.

It was a nice evening down at the waterfront. Calm and warm. There is always something going on down there-
M/V Great Point. Straight Wharf.
Rag Boat Christopher. Straight Wharf.
Rag Boat Christopher. Straight Wharf.
Minke.
Brant Point Lighthouse.
Hulbert Ave.
Hulbert Ave.
Reflections. Easy Street Basin.
Fluke Boats. Town Pier.
Fluke Boats. Town Pier.
Conchs on the buy boat for the fluke boats. Town Pier.
Conchs on the buy boat for the fluke boats.

Fluke boat rigging. Town Pier.

BUCK OF THE WEEK-

This little guy is a regular visitor to my cams. He's in velvet now. I'm documenting his antler growth this summer by using several trail cams strategically placed in his home range. It's interesting to see where he travels around the island on a daily basis. So far his antlers are growing about an inch per day.

Double click on the picture for a larger view.

Coatue

One of my favorite parts of the island is Coatue. This time of the year, I spend as much time over there as I possibly can. I have hiked and explored just about every square inch of it. It's a great place to escape the hoards of people which are here during the summer. Hardly anyone goes there which is fine by me!

I was over on Coatue recently and took a few photos-

The Craig House, Second Bend. The Craig House, Second Bend. The MV Eagle heading out. The sound side of Second Bend. Rosa Rugosa in full bloom. Rosa Rugosa and a Black-Backed Gull. Horned Poppy in Second Bend. Thanks for the ID, Jen! A soaring Black-Backed Gull. Rosa Rugosa and Nantucket Sound beyond. A salt marsh behind Butler's, Lowell's and Casano's houses. Third Bend. Notice the new windmill on the right and how it ruined the once beautiful waterfront skyline.

Below are scenes from Saturday, June 18th.

Fog forming and heading up harbor from town. The Coatue Cactus starting to bloom. Coatue Cactus starting to bloom. Bumble Bees pollenating thistle. Second Bend, Coatue. Bumble Bees pollenating thistle. Second Bend, Coatue. Black-Backed Gulls. Second Bend. Winding Coatue road. Flooded road. Third Bend, Coatue. I think a fresh coat of paint and this place would sell for around 12 million. Third Point, Coatue. Third Point, Coatue. Third Point, Coatue. Old Girl. The houses of Third Bend, Coatue. Tootsie steaming off Third Bend.

BUCK OF THE WEEK:

Recently, I set up one of my trail cams overlooking a tiny teaberry field. Deer love teaberry and feed on it heavily year-round. This little buck in velvet stopped by the teaberry field every day for a week to feed-

Double click on a picture for a larger view.