duck box

duck box, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Built by a neighbor, a few years ago, the box sits in the phragmites. I've never actually seen a duck in the nesting box but we do have plenty of ducks on the river. It is my understanding that this is built specifically for Wood Ducks, and we mainly see Mallards here. At this time of year, the Buffleheads come to visit, migrating through Long Island, and away from the windy Great South Bay.

The Bugle Man

The Bugle Man, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

I thought the bugle sound to start the races was a recording, until I saw this guy. Cute tie, no?!

Have you been to Belmont recently? You can picnic right there on the grounds and even barbecue in the fenced picnic area that also has tables and umbrellas.

I recommend that you look into this for small parties and family gatherings, unless of course you can't control your gambling.

We met here with a group of Long Island photographers to socialize and take photos of the horses and races.

It was a great day!

I didn't lose a dime, but then I didn't bet any money either. In my opinion, I was the biggest winner.

Good friends, good food and just enough excitement!

touch of heather

touch of heather, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Long Island in Spring

Such a beautiful time of year here on Long Island. The flowers are all in bloom and show their rich colors against the green leaves and blue sky. Beautiful.

The weather has not been typical of our springtime weather though. Cooler than usual and lots of rain and fog, it's not what you would expect. We just keep waiting for better weather.

clammer

clammer, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Clamming on the Great South Bay

Watch a slideshow of photos by clicking here!

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Gantry Plaza

Gantry Plaza, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Gantry Plaza State Park, Long Island City

Read about the park. Click here!

montauk lighthouse

montauk light 2, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

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While organizing my photos, I've created a new gallery of Iconic Long Island shots.

Landmarks and Icons of Long Island

See it here!

This is the type of photo that people often look for, to print and give as gifts. They are the "postcard" images!

My email is filled with such requests!

Personally, I don't consider these images "art", but yet, it is just the kind of iconic Long Island image that people want.

Art is so subjective, isn't it?

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Slide Show

Robert Moses Causeway Bridge

robert moses bridge, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

This photo, and the next two, were taken on the same day, 2 years ago!

I was going through some older photos looking for a specific image and realized that there were some I missed.

...just a small sample of some of Long Island's images.

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Postcard from Long Island

Postcard from Long Island, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

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Just some Photoshop fun.

The photo reminded me of the old style postcards, so I made it look that way.

"Wish you were here!"

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Bayport, Long Island, NY

Bayport Beach

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Bayport Aerodrome

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The town of Bayport, in Islip Township, is located on the south shore of Long Island, along the Great South Bay, between Sayville and Blue Point. A sleepy little hamlet with a rich past, it is filled with grand historical Victorian homes and updated bungalows as well as the contemporary homes from the 1950s through present time.

The school district is unique in that it is in partnership with Blue Point of Brookhaven Township. For information, visit http://www.b-bp.k12.ny.us/

The original inhabitants of Bayport were the Secatoque Indians. They fished, dug clams and sailed the bay and small streams and rivers. The land was fertile and the sea gave them the food they needed to survive. The European settlers also found that the bay would provide a good economy with fishing and oyster/clam digging. Wealthy New Yorkers came for the summer breezes.

On the western border, Bayport begins at Brown’s River where you can see Meadow Croft, the summer estate of John E. Roosevelt. Although it is technically located in Sayville, The Bayport Heritage Association gives tours of the main house on Sundays at 1:00 pm and 3:00. It has been recently restored with furniture of the period, about 1910. Some of the household items and furniture are original from the Roosevelt Family. You can find out more about it by calling (631) 472-4625. As you travel east along Middle Road you can see other historical homes which are kept to the décor of the day.

Montauk Highway is the business section with stores and small shopping centers. It has a post office and very popular fish store just east of Bayport Ave. The Bayport Flower House is well known for its floral arrangements, home decor and springtime nursery and garden center.

Unique to Bayport is the aerodrome with vintage airplanes. It is a gravel and grass runway modeled after the aerodromes of the early 1900's. For a fee, you can be a passenger and see Long Island from the air. For more information visit: http://www.bayportaerodrome.org/

Plan on taking a trip to visit Bayport. It no longer has a train stop on the Long Island Railroad, but it is exit 50 off Sunrise Highway. Just drive south to the Great South Bay.
See you there!
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Earlier sunsets, colder nights

What do you do when winter approaches?

...when the sun sets earlier and the evenings are sooo long?

Do you spend more time on the computer? On the phone? Watching TV?

Well, I do more of all those things but I do try to get out as much as possible.

There are so many groups and clubs and activities on Long Island.

There is no excuse to become a couch potato!

Look in the paper, check the internet and find some interesting activities.

You will meet more people and have more fun.

Check out LongIsland.com for a list of things to do!

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Last November

It was a warm, beautiful day yesterday. They keep saying, (that's 'they', the weather reports), that it was one of the warmest Thanksgivings ever.

Well, I took this photo last November. It wasn't Thanksgiving Day, but just a week before.

We were on the beach, enjoying the sunshine, although autumn-cold weather.

It's all relative, of course!

Long Island is like that. Surrounded by water, with currents and less drastic changes in water temperature, we often get pleasant warm days in fall and winter.

There is always someone walking on the beach, even on the coldest days.

I like that...another reason to love Long Island!

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Connetquot State Park and Preserve, Long Island

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train tracks

On the tracks....

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I know I have been very neglectful lately, not posting here daily like I use to do.

Well, there are no excuses; I've just been busy.

With what, you ask?

It seems that photography, Photoshop, the web, and my contacts in the cyber-community have taken all my free time!

I spend free time taking photos, then working with them on the computer in Photoshop.

I post to my Flickr and PBase accounts first, daily.

But there are even more groups and sites where I am a member.

Check my sidebar! -->

Each site has people I've gotten to know (contacts) and discussion groups (forums) where we talk about everything! Everything and anything...I'm addicted!

I get involved, answer some questions or give my opinion....and there! The time passes too quickly.

I rarely read a novel anymore. My current reading material is all about photography and Photoshop (the digital darkroom).

So, here I am posting after almost one week.

It's not a complaint, just an apology to those friends and family members out there who were hoping for something good to read and an interesting photo or two.

Have a great weekend!

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new row boat...the "jon boat"

We replaced our little canoe with a new row boat. Why?

Well, the canoe was getting a little worn on the bottom and we felt it wasn't safe enough to paddle up the river with our cameras.

(You know our life is centered around our picture-taking!)

What we bought is called a "jon boat." It's not cute or attractive, but it is sturdy, wide, flat-bottomed and very functional. Perfect for taking photos on the shallow river.

Here are two photos of what we saw on the first, "splash down" cruise:

A swan nest...it was huge! The nest seemed to be guarded by two geese. ???

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The neighbors dog....cute little puppy who loves to jump into the water and swim after the ducks. Also...????

Anyway, it was a wonderful, first cruise!

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surfer and dog, Fire Island

This dog was amazing.

He sat on the beach quietly, in one spot, the entire time his master was surfing!

....another great day at the beach!

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Fire Island and the Gulls

We went to the beach yesterday.

Fire Island National Seashore, my favorite beach....

The water was crystal clear blue/green, the sky was a perfectly clear blue, the sand was solid and white/pink.

The gulls were lined up, and I would think, they also appreciated the beauty!

Every once in awhile, a gull would fly over a wave and pull something from the sea to eat.

...a perfect beach day at the end of May!

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Memorial Day, 2007

Calverton National Cemetery

Calverton, Suffolk County, New York

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In memory of those we have lost.....

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