Surfing Florida Style

This just wouldn't happen in New York. The boat is just too close to these surfers!

Fishing off Orient Point

The Jenna Lynn II, out of Connecticut, is fishing off the shores of Long Island.

We took a sailing adventure to Block Island and saw this on our return.

The gulls racing over us in the sky were the first clue that something was happening ahead. 

We soon saw the Jenna Lynn II!

Winter Beach Walk

The days have been cold but not terrible. What better way to "cheat" the season, than taking a walk on the beach?

Shipwrecked on Fire Island

shipwrecked sand, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

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A sailboat washed ashore on Fire Island at the Water Island beach.

It became grounded last week in the fog. A crew of workers has been digging out the keel but it is slow going. When the tide comes up the boat gets buried further into the sand.

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Fire Island Praise

gull on Fire Island, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

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The gulls enjoy a sunny day at the beach!

I am so much like the seagulls. 

If the sun is shining and the ocean breezes are cool, I'm enjoying the beach.

The beach has a calming effect. I don't know if it's the sound of the waves or just the sunshine and fresh air, but it seems like the place to be when life becomes stressful.

Maybe it's being away from the house, the news, the computer and phone.

(I do have a cell phone but leave it off most of the time!)

A beach chair, a good book and sunglasses are all you need to enjoy the day.

A nice walk along the shore, on solid sand only adds to the enjoyment.

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Fire Island is one of the best beaches in the world. 

The sand is fine and pinkish-white. The wind usually comes from the southwest, so you feel it on your face.

The best part is that it is often not crowded.

September in my opinion, is the best month on Fire Island since most people are back to school and to work, after their summer vacations. 

Yet, it is still relatively warm on Fire Island.

Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Great South Bay, September's warm water, heated from the long summer, keeps the air at a comfortable temperature.

Did I tell you that I love living on Long Island?

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beach diptych

diptych beach, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

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The word "diptych" is a word from another time.

Originally a diptych (pronounced "dip-tick") from the Greek, 

is any object with two flat plates attached at a hinge. 

From Wikipedia, "Devices of this form were quite popular in the ancient world, types existing for recording notes and for measuring time and direction."

The word has a new use and popularity.

It is the connection of two photos that in some way form one unit, as the photos above.

The photos can be similar, opposites in subject or color, or any connection that seems to fit.

Click here for some samples!

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They are fun to create and give photography a new creative edge.

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Hot days at the beach

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You know those hot, hazy, humid days of summer?

Well, they're here!

We've spent the last few days at the beach, on Fire Island, where it was cool and uncrowded, yet somewhat hazy.

The water was perfect for swimming and cooling off. PERFECT!

The waves were gentle, not large or rough, the water was clear and a "Caribbean" blue, with comfortable temperatures.

It was probably the best few ocean days at the beach all summer.

It doesn't get better than this!

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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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school's out for Memorial Day

Went to the beach this week and saw the Fire Island School Bus riding along the beach.

This is the beach road for all vehicles....police cars, utility trucks and even a school bus!

Memorial Day weekend is here and the beach will look very different.

Bring on the summer fun!

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Fishing in Montauk

Just one of the many activities that are available to everyone on Long Island!

Fishing!

Montauk Point and May Surfing

Water temps about 55 degrees F, rocky shore, and fog.

The lighthouse is nearby but who can see it?

Montauk surfing in May.....

this is NOT California surfing!

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Montauk Point and the Fog

It has been quiet foggy on Long Island these past few days. My husband and I went to Montauk Point for some relaxation...yea, right, like I need to relax!

...anyway, we really went to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary.

Ten years, and they went by so quickly.

Well, getting back to the fog...

I wanted to take photos of the lighthouse. Not just any photographs but, great photographs.

...the fantastic shots that can be "calendar" photos.

My plan was to wake up at sunrise to see the light as it changed from red to yellow.

Well, that didn't happen!

We woke up to a thick, dense fog; went to the lighthouse and could not see the top of it or the Atlantic Ocean beyond.

I did manage to get a few shots on the second day, but no sunrise or sunset shots.

I guess I'll just have to go back another time. :-) Poor me!

I want that calendar shot.

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We did have a nice dinner at Dave's Grill. We haven't been there in a few years and the food was as good as I remember.

We shared the mussels; there were more than enough!

(Probably the BEST mussels I ever had!)

For entree, I had the cod fish, marinated in a miso sauce, with bok choy.

Yummy, as that famous lady says!

All in all, it was a great few days, even if there was fog.

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Barrett Beach Sand Dunes

Late afternoon at Barrett Beach...

Barrett Beach on Fire Island

There has been much planning and discussion about a new ferry service to Barret Beach. If you don't know, Barrett is about half-way between the Pines and Davis Park.
The dock was built to ferry specifications, the concession building and restrooms were constructed, picnic tables and the buoys are ready, but nothing is happening.

Right now, there is no ferry service and it is not in the plan for this summer, 2007.

I'm not upset. In fact, I like it just the way it is. I get to go to a beautiful beach that is never over-crowded. The only access to the beach, is by private boat or by walking a mile or two on the beach from the communities that have ferry service, the Pines or Water Island and Davis Park.

The concession building is empty and there is no life-guard service. Swim at your own risk!

I don't know what will happen in the next year or two. When I do hear of more current information, I will keep you updated.

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Erosion at Davis Park

We went to Davis Park today. The weather was beautiful!

The storm last weekend, the nor'easter, took away a good part of the beach.

Homes are hanging off the sand dunes that are left. Not good!

About two miles to the west, on Barrett Beach, the debris and damaged lumber covered the sand.

It looks like a big cleanup for the Fire Island community and the Federal Government.

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The summer renters have not yet arrived on Fire Island so the deer were very visible!

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No way to get to the front door here....

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These bricks are from a fireplace. You can see the missing fireplace on the side of the house.

I don't really know if the tires helped in this case.

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