The Great South Bay in Winter

 

 Robert Moses Bridge in the distance from Heckscher State Park. 

 It was cold day, but the gulls didn't mind.

  Here is the bridge close up. 

  Click here for a link to Heckscher Park information.

Beach Debris

One empty chair on the beach, a sign that storms and high tides have washed away someone's patio furniture. Let's hope this fall/winter & hurricane season does not create this type of damage again.

We've had a beautiful summer on Long Island with moderate temperatures. It may have been a disappointment for some people looking for hotter beach weather, but for me it was perfect!

Let's see what the autumn brings... 

Beaver Dam Creek

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!

Sailing in the Bay

Sailing in the Bay, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Small sailboats racing on the Great South Bay, off Patchogue, Long Island.

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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Windless Bay at Sunrise

Windless Bay at Sunrise, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

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This is the same bay as the photo below, looking north-east.

The rising sun is off to the right, over the sand dunes and ocean.

On this particular morning there was no wind and not one boat had stirred the water yet.

This is a rare sight on the Great South Bay and only more common in late September.

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Sunset from Davis Park

Sunset from Davis Park, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

The sunset from Davis Park, Fire Island and the Great South Bay...

The wind was very strong today but the Great South Bay sunsets have been spectacular!

Today's bay did not look like this photo.

Today, there were waves and whitecaps, but I thought you'd enjoy this shot more.

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Davis Park Marina

Davis Park Marina, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

The marina in September when the crowds are gone....

We've spent the last two weeks on Fire Island in the community of Davis Park.

There are no crowds and the weather is still good. It's not swimming weather, but it's wonderful for walks on the beach and watching the bay and wildlife.

You can still sleep with windows open, for that cool ocean breeze and for the sound of the ocean waves.

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water taxi, the Courier

water taxi, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Water taxi on the Great South Bay, sunset

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Another rainy day today in addition to the rain we had yesterday, makes for a very unusual summer.

We've had more rain and cool weather here on Long Island, than I ever remember.

Luckily for me, we went to Atlantique on Fire Island, Tuesday, the best weather-day of the week.

Atlantique was just beautiful and the perfect location for an ocean swim, complete with lifeguards, snack bar, public showers and toilet facilities.

It's a great family beach accessible by ferry from Bayshore!

As we were leaving at sunset, I caught this water taxi, the Courier, transporting people to another Fire Island community.

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Long Island Bayman

Long Island Bayman, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

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A beautiful day on the bay today, we just sat and watched the other boats go by.

You can still see an occasional clammer. At one time there were many, and called "bayman" they worked the bay collecting clams, oysters, eels.

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I saw a Long Island census record-book from the early 1800's.

Many men were listed as "bayman" or farmers, or servants.

The servants worked for the wealthy from New York City who came to Long Island in summer to escape the heat of the city.

So if you lived here on Long Island, you worked the bay or the land, or you worked for the wealthy who just came here for the weather and cool bay breezes.

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A Ford Woodie; Rita's Rest, West Sayville

Rita's Rest: a Ford "Woodie", originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

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Scene at the Sayville parking lot on a summer evening where everyone stops by to take a look at the Great South Bay.

Hot night, hazy sky and some after-dinner "hanging out" with friends.

This old car (plate says 1948) is a Ford "woodie" station wagon.

It also has a plate that says, "Rita's Rest" from West Sayville, NY, but I could not find anything searching google with that reference.

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Sunfish with a Sunrise Sail

Sunfish Sunrise Sail, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

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This past Monday, Memorial Day, the Great South Bay was very active with boats of many sizes. 

This small sailboat, with big-size fun, is a Sunfish. 

The colorful flag is the "sunrise" model, very popular on the bay.

Hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, complete with sunshine, barbecues, family and friends...... 

...and a remembrance of our veterans.

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sunset fishing

sunset fishing, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

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Sunset fishing on the Great South Bay....

First day of "fluke" season and we had to go fishing. 

Didn't catch anything but the weather was beautiful and the sunset- spectacular!

Well, it was a beautiful evening, one of the warmest on the water so far this season.  

The complaint of sport fisherman is that this year the fluke requirements are a 21 inch minimum size and 2 per person. 

It's almost impossible to catch anything that size anyway. 

Years ago you could fill a cooler with fluke, which is probably one reason why there are none left!  

The clam boats would line the bay in the 1970s and now there are only one or two boats on a given day. 

I recognize the boats so it's the same two or three men.  

I don't know what the answer is, but I hope my grandchildren will be able to fish someday!

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icy shore in Sayville

icy shore in Sayville, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

The icy shore in Sayville, Long Island, with the partially frozen Great South Bay.
We walked along the beach today. It didn't seem to be too cold, yet the bay was frozen for quite some way out into the center. No ice boats visible but I will check again, later on this week. Stay tuned......

Last Boating Days

Trish and Oliver

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The last boating days are here as we enter the month of October.

The days are colder and daylight hours, shorter.

Today, Sunday, it is raining here on Long Island.  :-(

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Of course there will still be fishing days this month and next,  which is a totally different "ball game" all together.

On social boating days like the photo above, you cruise out into the bay, eat some snacks, feel the warm sunshine on your face and socialize. 

You can smell the fresh air and watch a few boats go by. 

Sometimes when boating we would cruise over to Fire Island, just three miles across the Great South Bay. 

There, we can get off the boat and take a walk along the sandy ocean shore.

But on "fishing days" which are possible even in cold weather, you wear warm clothing and jackets and hats, and fish! 

...and you hope you catch something. 

While you are fishing, you watch other boats to see if they are catching anything!

So, these are two entirely different experiences.

With both you enjoy the fresh air and sea breezes. You get away from the house and the chores and have a pleasant day.

Me? I like both.

I like being on the water and enjoying the fresh air and sunshine, whether I'm socializing or fishing, whether it's cold or hot or in-between.

It just is a great way to spend a day!

Hmm, I don't like boating in the rain though, which is why I'm home on the computer writing this right now!

Hope you have a great day today, whatever you do!

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Barrett Beach

Barrett Beach, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

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The autumn in here and it is just beginning to feel that way.

The photo above is Barrett Beach, as seen from the dock in the Great South Bay.

Clouds and the wind bring the need to wear a jacket but it is just as beautiful as ever, maybe even better than summer.

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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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Water Island View

Water Island View, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

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This is the view, looking northeast, from the little community of 

Water Island on Fire Island.

This community has grown quite a bit in the last few years.

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sailing line

sailing line, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

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Another fisheye lens shot, this time of some necessary lines.

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