Florida Sunshine

Fall has arrived, but it's still summer weather in Florida.

Hot, humid, with a beautiful blue sky and white fluffy clouds.

It's not Long Island, but I love the warmer weather!

Sunset before Spring

The sunsets have been spectacular. 

Not today's, since it was raining all day, but the last few days were wonderful.

Tomorrow, Thursday, is the first day of spring. 

The long awaited day when sunlight takes over the night-time. The hours of sunlight keep increasing until the first day of summer.

It feels good to know that warmer weather and additional sunlight will warm our spirits.

Let's welcome spring!

Go for a walk, take a bike ride, do some yard work, check on the daffodils and crocus.

They are starting to sprout.

Yes, spring is here.

~~~~~~~~~~

For Sky Watch Friday

Patchogue

Patchogue River, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

freezing river

freezing river, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

~~~~~

Ice on the river reflects the autumn colors remaining.

~~~~~

Winter on Long Island

A little island near my home, looks very different to me this time of year.

Usually, the plant growth is so thick, I cannot even see the ground. 

With snow, I realize it has a small hill, soil that was the remains of dredging years ago.

~~~

Each season on Long Island brings a new and interesting environment...new things to explore.

Right now in my life, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

~~~~~~~~~~

Take a ride on the river.....

Fire island Ferries

It seems that more and more ferries are leaving the river. We are always behind one or trying to keep ahead of one as we leave for Fire Island.

Why the increase? I can't figure it out.

Maybe it's just a larger population living on Long Island or Fire Island is just more popular than I remember.

~~~~~~~~~~

Busy Week...

Ferry leaving Patchogue River

There is new construction and a plan for revitalization of the river.

This ferry is on its way to Watch Hill!

~~~~~~~~

The Element of Water...it reflects and ripples...

~~~~~~~

Just another sunset, but who can look away?

~~~~~~~

The Jedediah Hawkins Inn in Jamesport...

A completely renovated and lovely mansion that serves lunch and dinner, caters parties, and has rooms for guests.

It is a must see for anyone who is traveling out east.

~~~~~~~~

Playing on the River

Sunset on the river, from a "jon boat"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The fragmities light up from the setting sun...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our new toy, a jon boat, is a small row boat with a relatively flat bottom.

It's perfect for rowing up the river, since the water is so shallow at the north end.

It is always an adventure since the wildlife will surprise us everytime.

See the photos below for the swan nest and friendly puppy, both taken from the jon boat.

Did I mention I love Long Island?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Don't forget to click on each photo to see a larger version!

La Salle Military Academy, now St. John's University

Almost every night after dinner, my husband and I search for interesting places to take sunset photos.

We decided to drive into the grounds of the old La Salle Military Academy which is now St. John's University. It is a spectacularly beautiful place.

There is an old mansion with a long line of trees leading to the main entrance of the estate. The photo above shows a quaint little bridge over a pond, actually a river tributary, that flows into the Connetquot River.

At sunset, it is spectacular!

The main building, the mansion, has this huge chimney extending up above the roof-line.

It now contains the nest of an osprey.

This is the third osprey I've seen this spring that is nesting in an old chimney.

It is wonderful to watch them fly into the nest with a fish or eel for their young.

And, it is a great sign to see the return of the osprey...a healthy Long Island! Don't you think so?

~~~~~~~~~~~~