wooden boats

wooden boats, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

This weekend, the Long Island Maritime Museum in West Sayville sponsored the Antique and Wooden Boat Show and Regatta.

The workmanship and quality of boats was amazing to see!

Wooden boats are so much a part of Long Island's nautical history. 

If you have not been to the Maritime Museum recently, make the trip.

There is something of interest for everyone.

 There are always antique and wooden boats to see, although this weekend was a special event with extra volunteers, food concessions and additional boats and engine displays.

Some boats traveled from far distances to be part of this year's event.

 Mark your calendar for next year and check the website for all other information .

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Pirates at the Maritime Museum

pirate, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Antique Boat Show at the Maritime Museum, West Sayville...

Old wooden boats, restored, and...

... some pirates to keep the children amused!

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Fishing on the Great South Bay

Fishing on the Great South Bay

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Note: Click on the photo to see more detail.

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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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Tree Swallow

Just a little bird, a Tree Swallow, too cute to pass up!
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Family Fun

The family was here for the July 4th holiday.
Beach, boating, fishing and eating were the main activities,
all topped off with fun and laughs!
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Hobbs Farm, Centereach

Eggplant, beginning to grow

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Volunteers work the farm to produce food for the needy.

Read more about it here...Hobbs Farm.

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Machu Picchu: Photo Friday's "The Great Outdoors"

Machu Picchu, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Photo Friday (www.photofriday.com) noteworthy photo for

 "The Great Outdoors."

Thank you to all who voted!

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Red Cardinal

One of the joys of owning a home, is to have a bird feeder near the windows.

What better way to see the visiting birds?

Here on Long Island, we get a variety of species. There are the Long Island regulars, like this female red cardinal and then there are the migratory birds too.

They are not always easy to photograph, but this female is getting used to the camera.

Doesn't she look like she's checking me out?

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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!

mauve macro

mauve, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos

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I've been taking lots of macro flower shots the last few days.

The garden is beautiful, with color and lush green foliage.

It is always best this time of year, before the dry heat of July and August.

Macro photography lets the details be shown, more than you are usually aware.

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Gate B for Baseball

Gate B, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

I went to the Mets Game today, at Shea Stadium.

The Mets lost.  :-(

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Did you know that this is the last season for Shea? 

The stadium will be torn down and a new stadium, Citi Park, is already under construction.

The last time I was at Shea, was in 1965 when I saw the Beatles.

Okay, I'm showing my age. I can't help it.

It seems like yesterday. I don't feel any older, but a great deal has happened in those years in-between.

Today was a wonderful reminder of all the good things.

I had a large Nathan's hot dog, with sauerkraut and mustard.

The sun was hot, but the crowd was enthusiastic anyway. I'm glad I got to see the stadium and take photos before it is gone.

Then my husband and I walked over to Flushing Meadow Park.

The unisphere is still there, the site of the 1964-65 World's Fair.

Lots of memories, some good, some not, but it's okay.

Sometimes you have to look back and remember, so you can move forward.

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Heat Wave

seagulls over the bay, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

The temperatures have been high but there is usually a breeze by the water.

Everyone keeps asking, "Aren't you dying of the heat?"

No. I sit by the water and enjoy the cooler breezes and warm sunlight.

This is so much better than January.

I do wear sunscreen and sit under an umbrella.

But, it's not unbearably hot!

It could be worse. It could always be worse.

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Slide Show

baymen

baymen, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

The Great South Bay on a "gray" kind of day. I thought this photos was worth posting because these are "baymen" the last of the few surviving men who work the bay. These guys are collecting conch, but for years this bay was known for its oysters and clams. You heard of the "Blue Point" oysters? This is the area. 

We spoke to these men as they moved from marker to marker to collect the conch from their traps. In the 1970s, the bay was filled with boats like this.

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the stroll

the stroll, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Artwork by William King, on Penns Landing in South Philadelphia.

We helped my son move to South Philly this past weekend.

It's difficult to see them go. We packed up his belongings, some items that were his from when he was just 3-4 years old. Ugh!

It wasn't easy.

South Philly was very active and colorful. 

South Street was filled with people walking, shopping, eating. 

It seems to have had a rebirth, something similiar to the rebirth of Brooklyn. 

We walked along South Street, ate a Philly Cheese Steak and checked out Penns Landing.

Not a bad day, but it was difficult to leave my "baby" in another city.

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Waiting for Beach Weather

new year lighthouse, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Okay, it is now the end of May. Where is the warm weather?

I have to admit, I love the weather we've been having. 

Perfect temperatures for me.

 I would prefer less wind, so we could enjoy boating. We haven't taken the boat out in awhile. This has been good actually. Why?

 Lots of yard work and home maintenance getting done. (Somebody has to do it!)

There will be plenty of time for boating once the weather warms up and the winds die down.

I actually enjoy getting the house ready for summer.

Planting annuals, trimming shrubs, washing lawn furniture and windows. Sounds crazy?

It instills a sense of purpose, organization, and pride in my home. It feels good to take care of personal property.

 The preparation for summer gives promise of good times ahead and there's a sense of accomplishment.

Do you feel that way?

I think that feeling is missing in people who are frequently depressed.

After I've been working in the yard all day, or cleaning, I can step back and look at my work and feel good....physically and emotionally. 

Maybe it was the way I was raised. 

We were always helping our parents with household chores and cleaning.

I good day's work to improve something in your environment, just feels good.

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the flags

the flags, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Every flag is the grave of a dead soldier.

This is Calverton National Cemetery.

For more information and directions: Click here.

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Each year on Memorial Day weekend, my husband and I make a visit here to the National Cemetery in Calverton.

I like to remember the reason we have this holiday.

It is not for barbecues, or cleaning up the garden. 

No, it's not for that.

We have this holiday so we can take some time to remember our soldiers.

Many, many, young men and women have given their lives so that we can live the life we have now in this country.

Is it perfect? 

Of course not, but what we have is unique and wonderful.

I hope you will remeber our soldiers on Memorial Day.

Say a prayer or, if you are not religious, take some time to reflect on what we have.

 Think of the soldiers and their families who have given so much for this country.

Enjoy the barecue and your family and friends, but remember that some families are suffering with the loss of someone they love.

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Calverton Cemetery

Calverton Cemetery, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

the open road

the gate, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Robert Moses Causeway Bridge

robert moses bridge, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

This photo, and the next two, were taken on the same day, 2 years ago!

I was going through some older photos looking for a specific image and realized that there were some I missed.

...just a small sample of some of Long Island's images.

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lighthouse and sail

lighthouse and sail, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Postcard from Long Island

Postcard from Long Island, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

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Just some Photoshop fun.

The photo reminded me of the old style postcards, so I made it look that way.

"Wish you were here!"

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ant macro

ant macro, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

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Sometimes you just have to stop and notice the small stuff.

Appreciate it all....

the majestic mountains and expansive oceans, 

and the tiny ants and flakes of pollen.

 It's all there for you to explore.

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Exploring with a macro lens forces the photographer to look for little things.

It's just like looking through a magnifying glass.

Things appear that you didn't see before.

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lilac macro

lilac macro, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

red maple view

red maple view, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

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Climb to the first limb and take the photo.

Why not?

Explore.......and see the world in a different perspective.

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Behman's Pond

Behman's Pond, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

daisy fisheye

daisy fisheye, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Old Westbury Gardens

Old Westbury Gardens, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

The Thatched Cottage

Temple of Love

Temple of Love, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Temple of Love at the

 Old Westbury Gardens, Old Westbury.

This is one of the best times of year to visit the Gardens.

Flowers and flowers and more flowers on this beautiful estate!

closing daisy

closing daisy, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Macro shot of a closing daisy.
The macro lens allows some creativity and an appreciation of details.

Happy Mother's Day to All!

18th hole

18th hole, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

West Sayville Golf Course

red rowboat

red rowboat , originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

We went out after an early dinner last night to catch the light of the setting sun. 

This is in the water at the Long Island Maritime Museum in West Sayville.

 I think they leave this leaky rowboat here just for photographers!

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Springtime on Long Island

cherry trees Oakdale, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Long Island is coming into full bloom.

Another reason to love Long Island!

Early Springtime on Long Island

Early Springtime on Long Island, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

the birds in springtime

the birds, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Silhouette of birds in springtime

The birds have been very active here, nesting and chasing each other around the lawn and trees. 

It must be spring...

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lighthouse reflections

lighthouse reflections, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

A beautiful day on Fire Island

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The sun was shinning and there was a cool breeze. 

Many people were walking up to the lighthouse from the parking lot of Robert Moses Beach and/or the beach.

Many were there to see the NWPLI photography show that will be there until May 10th.

The lighthouse is open usually from 9:30-4:00, but do check the times, and stop by to see the exhibit. I have four photos on display.

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Beautiful Day, once again......

Bayard Cutting Estate Home

Cutting Estate Home, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

The Bayard Cutting Arboretum is a wonderful place to visit this time of year. The flowers are blooming and the osprey are building their nest.

A House for the Ducks, Long Island

Early Spring on Long Island

The fragmities are not yet green. 

The trees and flowers are beginning to bloom.

My neighbor built some of these duck houses and "planted them" in the wetlands near our home. 

We see lots of ducks here and other birds.

Early this morning my husband saw a fox with a little bird in his teeth, running through the reeds. 

You wouldn't think this was Long Island, but it is.

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VOX Hamptons

The cover photo

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Inside the magazine

My most recent sale of my images

VOX Hamptons Magazine

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Connetquot State Park

Connetquot State Park, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

This photo was given a full page in the Spring 2008 issue of VOX Hamptons magazine in an article about the Connetquot Park.

Fire Island Lighthouse Photography Show

wind-blown pine, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Join NWPLI for the Lighthouse Exhibition

NWPLI's Spring Exhibition at the Fire Island Lighthouse

April 19 - May 10, 2008

The Spring 2008 NWPLI Exhibit opens this Saturday, April 19th. 

There will be an opening reception party from 5-8 PM at the Lighthouse. 

Parking is at Robert Moses Field #5 (east end) 

and a shuttle bus will be available for the duration of the party.

 If the weather is nice, there is also a boardwalk between the locations. 

Handicapped parking is available at the base of the Lighthouse and a ramp leads from the unpaved lot to a side entrance to the Lighthouse. 

There is no admission fee. 

Weather-permitting, tower tours may be available for a small fee.

Please join NWPLI to celebrate the opening of the show. 

If you cannot join us for the opening, the show remains at the Lighthouse until Saturday, May 10th (it will be removed that afternoon).

 It is available during the regular Lighthouse hours, generally 9:30-4:00.

We hope you can come and see some of the beautiful nature photography presented by NWPLI.

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, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Not Africa! This is Florida's Safari Adventure.
The ultimate in tacky tourism, but I was there!

Great photo opportunites of some of the beautiful animals of the world without having to take malaria medication.

southern veranda

southern veranda, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Dreaming of a trip down south. Nothing like warm weather and early morning sunlight to warm the soul.

East End, Long Island

Still much agriculture here on the east end....farms and wineries without residential housing.

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