dahlia garden

dahlia, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

pollen & bee

pollen & bee, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

The dahlia garden at the Cutting Arboretum in Oakdale is at its peak. Take a ride over there and view the beautiful dahlias! There are also lots of bees but don't worry. They won't be interested in you with so many colorful flowers available!

praying mantis 2

praying mantis 2, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

According to wikipedia:
"Close up image of a mantis' face (Archimantis latistyla) showing its compound eyes and labrum. The structure of the compound eye creates the illusion of a small pupil."

vineyards, please

vineyards please, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Palmer vineyards on the North Fork

grape vine

grape vine, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

North Fork Wineries grape vine

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We took a car ride out to the North Fork Wineries and made a few stops to sample some Long Island wines.

I volunteered to be the designated driver so I kept busy by photographing the grape vines and scenery.

A few vines still had their dark red/purple grapes.

Luckily hurricane Irene did not spoil the grapes although you could see the salt water damage on the grape leaves.

It was a beautiful day for a drive and it always amazes me at the vast areas of agricultural land still there on the east end.

parking by the bay

parking by the bay, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

There is something so different about the air once Labor Day arrives. The sky has less haze and more fluffy clouds. The coolness in the air has that almost autumn feel. It is one of the best times on Long Island!

Ground Zero

Ground Zero Cross, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Ground Zero

New York City, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

In memory...

In memory..., a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Port Jeff ferry

Port Jeff ferry, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

The rain finally stopped long enough to walk around Port Jefferson. We love to watch the huge, powerful ferry turn in the harbor loaded with so many cars. Don't you wonder how something so heavy can float? I know why, but it always amazes me. I feel the same when I see a heavy plane take off and fly. Doesn't seem possible, but it is. Just amazing!

blue 5, the color series

blue 5, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Every once in awhile, I participate in a little project. It motivates the creativity, since I'm always taking photos and sometimes feel like there is nothing new to photograph in my everyday life. This week the project was color! Here are three photos, blue, violet and orange.

violet 3, the color series

violet 3, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

orange 6, the color series

orange 6, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Fire Island beach

Fire Island beach, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Leaving Davis Park, a police patrol rides along the beach.

I've spent the last three days on the beach and the weather was perfect! My thinking is that I needed to squeeze in all the beach I could get since Labor Day is here and the weather will quickly cool down. Perfect weather!