History

History, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

christmas barn

christmas barn, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

ebenezer scrooge

ebenezer scrooge, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Swallow-tailed Chick

swallow-tail chick crop, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Blogger is doing it again. Changing things.

I noticed that photos no longer just open larger as they have been doing since the start of this blog. They now immediately download...not something I really want to happen automatically.

So I posted this from Flickr...but then had to widen the web page. It's still not perfect. I see little rounded corners where they shouldn't be, but my html knowledge is limited so I'll have to keep it for now!

Hope this minor change didn't cause any problems for you. Let me know if it did, please.

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This photo is of a baby Swallow-tailed chick who was chasing his mother...asking for food.

Galapagos Islands. You can get this close!

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Earlier sunsets, colder nights

What do you do when winter approaches?

...when the sun sets earlier and the evenings are sooo long?

Do you spend more time on the computer? On the phone? Watching TV?

Well, I do more of all those things but I do try to get out as much as possible.

There are so many groups and clubs and activities on Long Island.

There is no excuse to become a couch potato!

Look in the paper, check the internet and find some interesting activities.

You will meet more people and have more fun.

Check out LongIsland.com for a list of things to do!

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Art Show, Photography

What are your plans for Sunday?

Well, if you are free and would like something new to do, or if you just enjoy photography, go to Huntington to see the NWPLI art show.

NWPLI: Nature and Wildlife Photographers of Long Island

The show will be at the Footprint Gallery, December 2nd, from 1 - 5pm.

The gallery is open each weekday from 11 am to 5 pm except for the special times listed above in the photo.

See the postcard above for more details.

I hope you can make it. I'll be there with other NWPLI members!

Huntington is a great town for just walking around and seeing the sights of Long Island.

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Last November

It was a warm, beautiful day yesterday. They keep saying, (that's 'they', the weather reports), that it was one of the warmest Thanksgivings ever.

Well, I took this photo last November. It wasn't Thanksgiving Day, but just a week before.

We were on the beach, enjoying the sunshine, although autumn-cold weather.

It's all relative, of course!

Long Island is like that. Surrounded by water, with currents and less drastic changes in water temperature, we often get pleasant warm days in fall and winter.

There is always someone walking on the beach, even on the coldest days.

I like that...another reason to love Long Island!

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Happy Thanksgiving!

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Patchogue Parade

We went to see the Patchogue Christmas Parade last night!

Boats are decorated for the holidays and float up the Patchogue River with Santa in the last boat.

Grucci Fireworks were an added bonus!

Wonderful!

There were some great entries and it seemed that everyone had fun.

People were getting into the holiday spirit!

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Autumn on Long Island

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Autumn colors here on Long Island...

Many trees are already bare. I realized, as I walked through the Bayard Cutting Arboretum, that I waited a week too long. The red maples seemed to be the only trees with color, still holding onto their leaves.

I'm happy to be back on Long Island with Thanksgiving just a few days away!

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Harbour Village

My work for Harbour Village is finished!
My husband Chris and I took hundreds, maybe thousands, of photos of the Harbour Village Beach Club Resort and finally finished the selection and processing in Photoshop CS2.
Our final count: 200 photos.
Yep, that's the final count, just of the resort.
It is amazing how, after looking at all the photos over and over, you can see the minor differences and make a decision on what is more pleasing to the eye...based on color, composition, sharpness,....so many photos are rejected.
Now my fingers are crossed and I will wait for the response from the resort.
I never thought that after retirement from teaching I would be taking photos and making money from it. It happens now all the time. I'll never get rich from this, but I love it and the extra money is a bonus!
Above are just three photos of the Harbour Village Resort in Bonaire.

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More of Bonaire, the Netherlands Antilles

"Red" slave hut near the salt flats, with the lighthouse in the distance....

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A young couple ride a rented scooter by the saltflat pans with a navigational marker and the "red" slave huts in the distance....

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A young girl, about 8 or 9 years old, learns to windsurf at Lac Bay.

Bonaire is known for being a great place to learn windsurfing due to the mild, consistent winds and the shallow waters of Lac Bay.

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Check out the map for Bonaire....

It's beautiful year round and isn't in the path of the hurricanes.

Salt is a major export, still,

...and tourism is a major industry here with scuba diving as the main attraction.

I love Bonaire and have been here many times!

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Island Paradise

Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

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1000 Steps, Bonaire

A dive site called 1000 Steps

There are only 64 steps but after a dive, all the gear must be carried back to the car! Not an easy or pleasant task!

Underwater the site is spectacular!!

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Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

I know it's cold in New York right now, but here in Bonaire the temperature is 82 degrees F. and sunny. Diving and snorkeling is the major activity for those on vacation.

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Harbour Village Beach Club, Bonaire

I'm in Bonaire, just two weeks after the Galapagos. Why?

Well, it's a long story, but the short explanation is that I'm here taking photos for the Harbour Village Beach Club Resort....and getting in some first rate diving.

I was hired to take photos of the resort because of the photos I've posted from my previous trips here. I love Bonaire and have a full gallery of shots!

This is the Member's Lounge with pool table and large TV for group viewing.

Not such a bad assignment....is it?

Oh, and my husband Chris is here to help out and share in the photo taking and of course, the diving as well.

Poor guy....he just had to help me out!

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Galapagos Fish Market

Amazing to see, the pelicans and even a sea lion were waiting for the scraps from the fish cleaning counter.

All I could think of was that in New York, the Board of Health would have stopped this long ago.

Well, we ate fish and didn't get sick, so I guess it was not as bad as it looks!

We loved the trip, the people and the food and everything that told us it was not the USA.

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my photo given to Tim Bishop

This photo, not taken by me, shows Representative Tim Bishop being honored for his work and "...leadership in ensuring that all Americans remain safe and healthy while they enjoy their local rivers and waterways."

Also, "At a special reception attended by around 100 environmental activists at the Capitol, Congressman Bishop accepted an award for his work to protect America's waters. "

The American Rivers group requested that I donate this photo, Misty River Fisherman, to represent this award.

I agreed and thought it was wonderful to participate in such an honor.

The plaque with my photo will hang in Tim Bishop's office in Washington.

*You can see the original photo here.*

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Alpaca

Cute, huh?

The hair from this interesting, llama-looking, Alpaca, produces beautiful yarn for the sweaters below..........

The more expensive, softer, sweaters, are made with "baby" alpaca, which is the first cuttings from a young calf.

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more travel photos

The giant tortoise, gave the name to the Galapgos.

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A Red-footed Booby bird with its chick....Galapagos Islands.

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Booby Birds of the Galapagos

The Blue-footed Booby bird is one of the main attractions to the Galapagos Islands!

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Red-footed Boobies do a mating dance that is truly a dance! Wonderful to watch!

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Peru

Woman in the mountains

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Peru

Just one photo of Machu Picchu, Peru
On vacation, this Long Island Woman is visiting just one of the many places on her "must see" list of destinations.

Fantastic, spiritual and amazing!

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Take a ride on the river.....

fishing on the Great South Bay

We went fishing the other night, and watched the sun go down.

Beautiful!

Fishing to me is not just the activity of catching some fish.

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In fact, we caught a King Fish and a Sea Bass, which we ate for dinner.

I then went to the farm stand and got some fresh corn and local tomatoes, a head of Boston Red Leaf lettuce....all picked fresh off the farm.

Yummy!

A real farm fresh dinner with fish from the bay! To me, a perfect dinner!

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I really enjoy the time on the water...the feel and smell of the salt air...the connection to nature.

Birds flying overhead. Fishing jumping. The sunset.

The Great South Bay in September is practically empty of pleasure boats.

The only boats out there are sport fisherman or sailors.

No crowds or boat traffic.

Just me and nature!

I love it! And I love Long Island for those reasons!

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Bayport Beach

Not technically the greatest shot, but I like how the birds enjoy a perch, regardless of where they are.
Fire Island is the distant shore.
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Cherry Grove

The Cherry Grove Fire Department.
Cute, huh?
Tiny vehichle for tiny walkways.
And two firemen who look like they are enjoying the attention!
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Gull of Fire Island

Sometimes when we anchor the boat to just relax and enjoy the sunshine.....and to smell and enjoy the movement of the water, we have visitors.

There will inevitably be a gull or two sitting behind the boat.

Maybe they hope we will throw them a crumb or two. A pretzel? Something!

I hate to disappoint them but if I throw one item, one crumb, a whole flock of gulls will arrive.

Not a good idea!

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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.

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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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Square Format

The photo above, Montauk Fishing Fleet, has been cropped to a square format.

It seems to be the current trend. Check out the frame department at your local shop.

Square frames are the rage!

Why is this important to me and other photographers?

Well, the camera doesn't shoot square, unless it is one of the special cameras.

Some older camera shoot square, like the old box cameras, but that's another era.

Today's digital camera shoot to a ratio of 2:3.

So they enlarge to 4x6, 8x12, 12x18, 16x24....well, you get the idea.

So, what's the big deal?

The ends get cut off!

And sometimes, important detail and composition disappear.

Just thought I'd mention that since I am struggling to crop some of my older photos to be square.

What end do I cut? How does it look with more sky or more ground or sea?

How will the resolution be compromised?

Will it print as well?

Hmm, I'll just have to work on that and I'll keep you posted!

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See the original below...

If you have an opinion about this, please leave a comment!

I read them all and I'd like to know what you think!

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Montauk Fishing Fleet

original composition

Happy Birthday, Sissy!

When she calls me on the phone and leaves a message, she says, in her playful, cheerful voice, "It's me, Sissy Linda!"

My sister Linda and she's having a birthday.

Well, she always makes me smile....always.

She is happy and funny and has arrived at the

big -5-0-!

50!

You would never know it.

She looks under 40 and her activity level is like a 20 year old.

My "Sissy Linda" never stops!

With a smile, she is kind, thoughtful, generous, and makes people feel welcome and important.

Everyone loves her.

What else can I say?

If I listed all of her positive qualities, I could write pages, and she would be embarrassed.

She's the perfect sister, a true friend, my best friend.

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Happy Birthday Linda!

May you have 50 more years of good health and happiness.

You deserve that and more.

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The Morton National Wildlife Refuge

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Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge

Sag Harbor, Long Island, NY

You can feed the chickadees sunflower seeds, by hand!

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One last time....

Flo's outdoor luncheonette

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Soon to be closing for the season! It's a hit with the neighborhood and the local beach crowd.

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Where did the summer go?

Signs of summer are slowly leaving the scene.

Labor Day weekend and everyone is asking, "Where did the summer go?"

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We ate at Flo's yesterday...one of our favorite summer's activities.

Located in Blue Point, it has excellent sandwiches and quick lunch and snack foods.

And.....Don't forget the ice cream!

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There is a certain sadness each Labor Day, that creeps into my mood. I can't always identify the exact moment, but I do know that suddenly I'm sad and it happens every year.

I just love, LOVE, summer and I'm reluctant to see it go!

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