The arrival of spring in South Boston is definitely spun out gradually (and graphically) by the northerly path of the sun, as sunsets become more or less centered upon Broadway for a couple of weeks. And with our main thoroughfares pointing west, accompanied by views from Dorchester Heights, the spring sunsets here are definitely worth a look. A long look. (Just don’t stare; it’s bad for your eyes. Use a polarizing filter, or glance at the setting sun quickly and only occasionally.)
These sunsets happen in mid-April, almost a month after the vernal (spring) equinox on or around March 21. Perhaps they are rewards for what we did 240 years ago on that fateful Wednesday morning, April 19, 1775 – the first Patriots Day. It was a nice spring morning on that day, too.
There are other signs in April of the real spring as well. Blossoming trees burst forth in red, yellow, and white, which make the sky appear more intensely blue. Birds are back, including that wild American turkey hen who favors South Boston as a happy hunting ground.
And the shiny white swans that adorn the Swan Boats are back in the Boston Public Garden. South Boston Online is well aware that those swans aren’t in South Boston, but cut us a break, will you? Swan Boats wouldn’t go over in Pleasure Bay, now would they? Even though they are a certain sign that spring is here.
Remember, spring really doesn’t really arrive in these parts until approximately the end of April.
The mid-spring sun hides its sunset bedtime behind Boston’s building skyline. (Photo by Rick Winterson)
Southie’s turkey hen stops for an afternoon spring snack along K Street. (Photo by Rick Winterson)
Spring is especially brilliant along South Boston’s beaches, as the Sugar Bowl/Head Island attests.
No, the Swan Boats aren’t in South Boston, but their appearance is a certain sign of spring.
