THE BEACH ON JUNE 20th
"Technically speaking, the summer solstice occurs when the sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer, or 23.5° north latitude. In 2017, this will occur at exactly 12:24 am (Eastern) on the 21st. (But we can celebrate on either day.) "
So, technically speaking, that means that the summer solstice occurred at 9:24pm on June 20th, here in Port Townsend, Washington. But you certainly wouldn't know it from the temperature, or from the photo I took yesterday down at the beach. It was very chilly, and rather gloomy to say the least.
Of course, my Aussie friends would be celebrating the winter solstice at this precise moment except for the fact that for some strange reason which I was never able to figure out all the years that I lived there, they use the first of the month to denote the change of season. Even the meteorologists who should know better, use the first of the month as well. Weird!!!
The forecast high for here today is only 15C (59F), and yet up in Dawson City the temperature is expected to reach 23C (73F). Anything but normal. But what's normal nowadays?? Now that the jet stream is all wonky, due primarily to the melting of the ice in the Arctic, things will only get weirder as time passes. Here is a video to explain this phenomenon.
When I was at the beach yesterday, I saw a lone Heron, just hanging around on a rock. Perhaps it was wondering about why the weather was so cool as well?
But that was yesterday. Today, in spite of the chill in the air, the sun is shining brightly which inspired me to take a few more photos.
And finally, another photo of the beach that I took this morning from the same location as yesterday.
And so the summer is now officially upon us. I wonder what it has in store for the Northern hemisphere? With the Arctic ice on the verge of disappearing, things could get very interesting indeed. Pass the popcorn.
living a life of simple acceptance,
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
Now, back to the weeding project.
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