...by Capt. James Lodge
Now that water temperatures have begun climbing into the 60s, ecological changes announcing summer start to be noticeable.
From the Bridge
Suddenly the sea appears murky with plankton, small sea critters and fauna. Scoop some up with a glass and see microscopic life: small fern-like forms and little swimming organisms. Have no fear, these are normally present, and as the ocean warms, they will become even more noticeable.
Last year during July, there were clouds of krill, tiny shrimp-like plankton all along the north shore, from West Chop to Gay Head. These are the same food eaten by whales in Cape Cod Bay. The whales surround the krill by herding them with bubbles, scooping them into their great mouths, then straining out the water through their baleen.
Movements of the Moon & Sun
Our June moon is universally known by Native Americans as the Strawberry Moon and by Europeans as the Rose Moon.
During this time, the earth is between the sun and moon. When there is no moon in the sky, (celestially called the ‘new’ moon), the moon is between the earth and sun. On our next new moon, July 3, it will also be in its furthest north monthly phase, bringing summer's highest and lowest tides.
Another tidbit of lore about full and new moons: During these times, every fortnight or so, storms seem to hit us the most. Just watch for it.
Summer's Longest Days
The sun reached its highest point in the sky at the summer solstice, on June 21st . Our latitude, (distance north of the equator), is 41degrees; the sun is straight over 73 degrees north latitude. The further north you travel, the longer summer twilight lingers. If you travel as far north as Iceland or Norway, the midnight sun effect brings a season during which the sun hardly sets at night. In six months, however, it will barely light their day.
Sunsets are north of west as you might observe. Every day the sun will get farther to the south, on its voyage to the tropic of Capricorn, from its present height, called the tropic of Cancer. The sun's trek to south, passes over the equator on September 21, and reaches 23 degrees south on December 21, the first day of winter.
Though the hot days might have you thinking otherwise, the earth is now furthest from the sun. Our planet is, however, tilted so that the sun strikes us more directly, causing the rays come straight at us. For the next couple months this will warm the ocean and make the plankton attract the small fish which will feed bigger fish, bringing ocean tuna and dolphin closer to shore and tables.
Capt. James Lodge owns and operates Atta Boy Charters and is a contributor to MVOL.com
