Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy Christmas!

Islip Airport, Snowy Day

Islip Airport, Snowy Day, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Leaving on a jet plane……..

Snow at Islip's MacArthur Airport on December 17, 2013.

christmas barn

christmas barn, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

East end of Long Island, north fork

Snowy Fire Island

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

Bellport Beach, Fire Island

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

Ho Hum Beach, aerial, taken in 2008

This is "Ho Hum Beach", across from Bellport. 

It's a 'resident only' beach, accessed by limited ferry service. 

season's greetings

season's greetings, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Hope you are enjoying this busy holiday season. I know it does get hectic, but really, if you didn't have the family gatherings, the shopping, the cooking, etc., wouldn't life seem just a little boring?

Holidays have been celebrated by all cultures since the beginning of time. There is a reason for it. 

It's part of who we are!

So, enjoy it. Find the joy in everything you do!

And happy holidays!

Wildlife

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

"I sing of brooks, of blossoms, birds and bowers..."
-Robert Herrick (1591-1674), British poet

I live by the water, so as I exit my home and walk outdoors, the birds on the river look at me and fly away.

There is such abundance of wildlife here....various species of ducks, geese, herons, grebes, coots, muskrats, snakes, eels, and of course, fish. Sometimes I'll watch a diving duck disappear under the water only to emerge with his dinner. There have been times when I will see a new unidentifiable  creature, only to find that it's an migratory bird, a new one for my life-list.

And always, there is the quiet.

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Just resting in a nearby tree.....(on one leg), in my neighborhood. Are you surprised to see such a large bird in the area? Don't be! This beautiful Great Blue Heron is a frequent visitor to my suburban backyard and is often seen 'hunting' near the river and pond.

Long Island has an abundance of wildlife areas: county, state and national parks, wetlands, the pine barrens, undeveloped areas, which are all natural habitats for a variety of creatures.

Take a walk or drive to the park near where you live and witness this for yourself. Take a break from the shopping and crowds! You may be pleasantly surprised!