Ocean Buoy off Brooklyn

One of the many ocean buoys along Long Island heading west; this one is off Brooklyn. 

This was shot before "hurricane" Sandy so this view is very different today. 

The area was flooded and many homes were washed away. 

My Brothers, 1970s

Brothers, 1970s, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Looking through some older photos for a June idea, I noticed that this was taken in June.

June 1971!

My two brothers, almost 40 years ago.

I was so proud and thought they were the best looking guys in our Brooklyn neighborhood.

(I scanned the photo and blurred out the background in Photoshop.)

They are still healthy and good-looking although much older....

and you know how we change as we get older!

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Green-Wood Cemetery

Green-Wood Cemetery, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Went today to the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. 

It is a big part of New York's history and very interesting to visit. In the early 1800s, it was visited by 500,000 people a year. This was before the time of Central Park and gave city planners the idea to create a city park. 

The trees today are some of the oldest and largest and best maintained in the area. 

The tombstones and mausoleums are old and beautiful!

From the official website:

"Founded in 1838 as one of America’s first rural cemeteries, the Green-Wood Cemetery soon developed an international reputation for its magnificent beauty and became the fashionable place to be buried."

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Dyker Heights, Brooklyn

Dyker Heights, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Just one home in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn

Dyker Heights: 50% off

Dyker Heights Sale, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Dyker Heights, Brooklyn

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The end of the Christmas holiday and the decorations are for sale at 50% discount.

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We took a ride to Brooklyn to see the much talked-about Christmas decorations. Some houses are decorated where every shrub, lamp post and even the lawn are covered with lights. Some homes have signs stating that they were decorated by professional "Christmas Decorators."

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Coney Island Mermaid Parade, 2008

Coney Island Mermaid Parade 2008

Slide-show click here!

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Mermaid Parade, Coney Island

A group called, "Marine Antoinette" (their spelling) was one of the most popular...

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No Mermaid Parade is complete without a "Marilyn"....

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Make-up for the Mermaid Parade, Coney Island

A young boy is painted by his father...

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High drama and bright colors with make-up...

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Very attractive and one of the best body paintings in the parade...

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Mermaid Parade, Coney Island

blue on stilts, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

We went to the Mermaid Parade today in Coney Island.

 It was a fun day and lots of interesting characters to photograph. 

I'll be posting some more photos soon!

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For a slideshow of photos, click here!

More Photos of Coney Island, Brooklyn

Fishing with nets off the Coney Island Pier

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Early morning walkers

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Looking east, early Sunday morning

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Coney Island

I went to Coney Island yesterday to take photos and document the changing scene.

The Coney Island area has been sold to a big developer who is planning a major change.

There are now empty fields waiting for develpment.

It does need change for sure, and updating, but many people are not happy.

A major part of Astroland will be removed.

The old Parachute Jump as well as the Cyclone and Wonder Wheel will remain as landmark symbols and for the amusement of the boardwalk visitors.

Almost everything else will go.

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I must say, I did enjoy my visit there.

You have to understand, that I was born and raised in Brooklyn.

I moved to Long Island as a young adult so I could raise my children in a "better" environment. (Well, that's another debate.)

I have wonderful memories of Coney Island, the rides, Steeplechase and Nathan's.

It was a family activity, mini-one-day-vacations, that could be affordable to just about everyone.

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Anyway, my husband and I went to Coney Island early Sunday morning, before the traffic and the crowds and....it was wonderful!

First of all, the light for photography, is much better in the early hours.

Nice long shadows and a warm color cast makes for better photos!

I hope I got some good shots. :-)

But the best thing about the morning trip was the people!

The pier was lined with families and old men, fishing.

There were few people on the beach, jogging or walking on the sand as well as the boardwalk.

I spoke to a few people...You grow up in Brooklyn and that's natural.

Well, most of the people I spoke with could not speak English....and they were all there together, getting along like one big community.

I heard so many different languages.

It was really great to see!

They were friendly, and tried to understand me and answer my questions.

I wanted to know what kind of fish they catch. What bait? You know the usual fisherman questions.

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We then went to Nathan's for a famous hotdog. Now, I haven't eaten a hotdog in ten years.

The thought of eating ground-up animal parts just doesn't tempt me.

But, I had a Nathan's hotdog and it was the best one I ever had! With saurkraut and mustard!

It brought back all the old memories of standing at the window eating hot-dogs with my brothers and sisters and parents.

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I'm sorry to see Astroland go but I know that New York is a great city and the main reason it is so wonderful is the people.

So, if you ever went there as a child, take a ride. Go back to visit!

Go, as I did, on a Sunday, when families are there and you can park almost anywhere.

Check out the empty fields that will be developed in the near future.

Don't wait too long, it will soon change.

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I am still processing my Coney Island photos but you can see my gallery on Flickr.

Click here!

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