Deer and Fox Tracks

Early morning and the prints of both deer and fox is obvious in the sand dunes.

Fire Island

Fire Island and the Deer

Too many deer on Fire Island, they say. I saw family of deer everyday this past month.

They roamed through the towns and dunes. Some people are seen feeding them!

They were covered with ticks!

Don't feed the deer!

Fire Island Summer

Early morning on Fire Island and the sun casts shadows on the dunes.

Davis Park, Fire Island

Last house on the ocean, 5th Walk, west end of Davis Park, Fire Island.

The sand dunes of Fire Island

The sand dunes of Fire Island, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

The sand dunes and vegetation of Fire Island...

Time to get the boat ready to visit Fire Island. Check out the ferry schedules if you plan on a visit. 

This is the ferry schedule from Bay Shore. The communities are listed in the tabs across the top: 

Ferries from Bay Shore

And this is from Patchogue, going to Davis Park and Watch HIll: 

Ferries to Davis Park and Watch Hill

Plan your spring visits now!

The sand dunes of Fire Island

The sand dunes of Fire Island, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

It will be interesting to see how the dunes survived the winter, all after the storm Sandy.

Fox on Fire Island

two fox rest, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

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Walking along the beach, we could see a family of fox resting in the dunes. As we approached, other walkers with a dog, were coming from the other direction. The dog chased them away before we could get better photos. I've been going to Fire Island for many years and have never seen so many fox. Is there an increase in the population? Or am I just more aware? I now notice fox tracks in the sand all the time!

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Fire Island Fox

Fire Island Fox, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

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Went to Fire Island today for a picnic lunch in the fog. Yes, it was foggy. 

We waited for the sun but it never came, not until we got home at about 4:30pm.

On Fire Island, out in this sand/shrub area, we saw this red fox, just resting. 

He didn't move as we took over a dozen photos.

 He also barely opened his eyes.

We thought that maybe he was sick. 

He didn't run away and we wouldn't get any closer.

It is so wonderful to see wildlife so close to home.

We just kept walking......

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Sunken Forest Walkway, Fire Island

Sunken Forest Walkway, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

This photo was taken last year on this date. I remember the day. We had very similar weather here on Long Island. The air is crisp and the sky is clear....a beautiful early autumn day!

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Deer on Fire Island

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

We went to the beach today, Fire Island at Davis Park,

 and there in the sand dunes, just eating the vegetation, 

was this deer. 

I don't know what happened to his antlers,

 but he seemed healthy and well fed.

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It was a beautiful day... strong, cool breezes and large, active waves.

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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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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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Windswept Beach, Barrett on Fire Island

We went to the beach today, by boat. Barrett Beach.

We were there just the other day, Sunday, and saw lots of wood and debris from the nor'easter that hit Fire Island last week.

Wood and plastics were all over the sand on Sunday.

Today everything on the beach was covered with sand. It looked like the water had come up all the way to the dunes. The wood was still there, but covered.

The sand gave the beach a mystical look.

On a positive note...

It was a beautiful day, warm, calm and sunny. For April 24th it was like a summer day.

I couldn't swim though. The water was very, very cold.

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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