National Park Service

National Park Service, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

On Fire Island
The Fire Island National Seashore

Bellport Gazebo

Bellport Gazebo, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

The town of Bellport, has a gazebo on the beach. It's a nice place to see and watch the sailboats go by.

Heckscher State Park Osprey

osprey, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

We took our bicycles to Heckscher Park this morning and right near the bike trail is an osprey nest. We hung around for a while to take some photos, of course not having the longer lens. Still, he flew in close enough for a few seconds to get this shot.

Earth Day Celebration!

magnolia tree, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Celebrate Earth Day and

the Grand Opening of the Suffolk County Environmental Center.

SEATUCK presents the

Eco-Carnival

April 24th, 2010. 10 am to 7 pm.

Located at 550 South Bay Avenue, Islip, NY.

The Eco-Carnival will be a full day of family fun featuring nature programs, storytellers, animals, face painting, live music, art, games and food!

Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the NEW Environmental Center.

Enjoy the 70-acre property.

There will be hands-on activities:

Nature Stations

Salt Marsh Exploration

Birds in the Woods (Bring binoculars)

Insect Adventures (Dig in the dirt)

Green on the Scene (Learn some botanical basics)

Nature Journals (Use art and journal writing)

Food: Taste of the South Shore

Food Court featuring samplings from local restaurants!

Music throughout the day! Live animal show!

Hope you will join us for a day of fun and learning!

~~~

Gantry Plaza

Gantry Plaza, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Gantry Plaza State Park, Long Island City

Read about the park. Click here!

Lighthouse Park

Lighthouse Park, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Lighthouse Park on Roosevelt Island in the East River, NYC.

This 50-foot-tall, Gothic-style lighthouse was built in 1872 and

was designated a New York City Landmark 1975.

Read about this lighthouse in the East River: Click here!

~~~

Oliver

Oliver, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Oliver, just 2 1/2 is a constant source of enjoyment.

Meadow Croft garden

Meadow Croft garden, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

The victorian rose garden, before the spring cleanup.

The summer estate of John Roosevelt

Read about it here: www.sayville.com/meadow-croft.html

Meadow Croft, Sayville

Meadow Croft, Sayville, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Meadow Croft is the summer estate of John E. Roosevelt.

It is filled with the history of the Sayville area.

Read all about it here: Click here!

Fire Island National Seashore

FI National Seashore, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Once Barrett Beach belonged to Islip Township; it is now part of the Fire Island National Seashore and has taken the name of Talisman, joining with the beach to the west.

Fire Island Fox

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

A red fox on Fire Island, just sitting under the trees. I think the black mark on his cheek may be a tick. Ugh!

Fire Island deer

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

fox

fox, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Fox on Fire Island

~~~

Our boat went into the water this weekend and today we went to Fire Island.

At this time of year, it is empy! No people!

It's magical

... and the wildlife is used to a winter with no human contact.

This fox just sat, relaxed, and looked at the camera.

After awhile, he got up and moved.

I feel so fortunate to see this in my life!

~~~

Loggerhead Marine Life Center

Loggerhead Marine Life Center, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Loggerhead Marine Life Center, Jupiter, Florida

I saw the release of some turtles while in the Jupiter/Juno area of Florida.

Morgan is tagged and was then was released on March 27, 2010.

You can track his journey here:

www.marinelife.org/track_morgan.htm

~~~

Oliver in the daffodils

Oliver in the daffodils, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

The childhood wonder of discovery. All daffodils, some opened, some closed, yellow, white.....

NASA

NASA Cirlce Icon, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

I so wanted to see the launch this year. The date was changed from March 18th, when I was in Florida, to April 5th. By that time we were back home in NY.
Maybe next year?

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Photo Friday Noteworthy!

Vienna Hot Dog Stand, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

I participate in the Photo Friday Challenge just about every week.

Last week's theme was "Nightlife" and this photo was given the

"Photo Friday Noteworthy Award"

You can see the other winners here:

www.photofriday.com/archives/noteworthy/000966.php

Thank you for all who voted!

grandma Mets

grandma Mets, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

We went to a spring-training game while in Florida, called the "Grapefruit League" I'm told. The Mets played the Cardinals, and the Cardinals won. (You're surprised?)

It was a nice day in a small stadium, the Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter. There were quite a few Mets fans to keep us company!

Juno Beach, Florida Surfer

Juno Beach, Florida Surfer, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Juno Beach Surfer

juno surfer 1, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

This is Juno Beach, Florida.
Today's wind made for a terrific surfing day.

St. Patrick's Day Parade

Street Parade, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

St. Patrick's Day Parade on Long Island

HAPPY St. Patrick's Day!

HAPPY St. Patrick's Day!, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Just a little decoration to celebrate the day. Here on Long Island, it's a pretty big event with parades and lots of corned beef and cabbage. Oh, and don't forget the soda-bread and beer!

The parades are huge in most towns and can last for hours, with every group and organization represented. You can see bagpipes, and fire trucks and marching bands from every Long Island neighborhood all in the same parade!

Here in Palm Beach County, Florida, there is one very small (very small!) parade which lasts about 15 minutes. My first reaction was, "That's it?"

A few restaurants serve corned beef and cabbage. One place has the early bird special and seniors get another $1 off! A great deal but where's the green beer and party?

~~~

Jupiter Beach Park

Jupiter Beach Park, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Brown Pelican, Florida

pelican wings, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

It is so wonderful to walk on a beach on a warm day and observe the wildlife!
I hear that it's warming up in New York also. Spring isn't far behind!

Kennedy Space Center

moon rockets, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

moon rockets
Kennedy Space Center, Florida

Brown Pelican, Florida

Brown Pelican, Florida, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

The weather is warming up and this pelican was just resting in the sand with the terns. It's been cool and windy here the last few days.
I hear that it's going to warm up both on Long Island and here in Florida.

Apollo Saturn V Center

Apollo Saturn V Center, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Kennedy Space Center
This is my first time here at the Space Center and it was very educational and inspiring. The size of these rockets is amazing. It's hard to believe they can be taken into outer-space.
I recommend that you try to see this on your next visit to Florida.

Note: I don't have Photoshop here on my laptop, but Picasa is working just fine enough. I even signed my name. ::wink::
~~~

Kennedy Space Center, Florida

Kennedy Space Center, Florida, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Carlin Park, Jupiter, Florida

Carlin Park, Jupiter, Florida, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

I came down to Florida to get away from a cold and snowy Long Island.

The weather here in Florida is like April in NY, cool and pleasant.

I took a walk on the beach in sunshine and life guards were ready!

The beach was open for business but the water is still only 73°!

~~~

I'm leaving the snow behind

winter garden, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

The garden after a snow fall...
I've had enough of snow. I know, it's pretty and doesn't happen too often here on Long Island. Although this year has been unusual.

It is even very nice to walk through the snow and if you have children, watch them play without getting cold, in the white fluffy stuff. I have great childhood memories from playing in the snow too and I've had great fun playing with my children in the snow. We did have fun. Enough said.

I'm a lot older now. I don't need to be outdoors in 25° weather.
So, I'm leaving for Florida tomorrow.

I'll still be posting photos but you won't see snow. You'll see palm trees and the ocean and maybe alligators. Until I return.....

Hope your days are filled with more fun, with or without the snow!
~~~

window light

first light, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

St. John the Divine, NYC

from the top

from the top, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

St. John the Divine, NYC

Saint John the Divine

peace fountain, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

~~~

Saint John the Divine in New York City and the Peace Fountain

We spent the day in the city today and went up to 112th St and Amersterdam Ave to visit the cathedral, St. John the Divine.

Click the links above and read all about the unfinished cathedral and the statue nearby, The Peace Fountain.

We were photographing the interior and on a special tour, went up to the roof.

Yes, the roof, inside and out!

It was an amazing tour. Stay tuned for more photos.

~~

Jones Beach "Pencil"

Jones Beach Pencil, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

It's nice to visit the beach even in cold weather. This shot was from March of 2006.

The winter continues

icicles, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

The ice and snow are beginning to melt but at night it all freezes again.
Well, the sun is out today which is good. The trees need the melting snow to slowly absorb as much water as possible to prepare for spring.
It's all good, really.
~~~

Flickr Photos

~~~

I have many more photos on Flickr.

Take a look with Flickriver by clicking on a photo above..........

You can then chose, recent, interesting, random, or more.

~~~

windsurfing on Lac Bay

windsurfing on Lac Bay, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

~~~

No, This is not Long Island, although people do windsurf on Long Island.

No, this is my favorite caribbean getaway- Bonaire. One of the ABC islands of the Netherlands Antilles.

My husband and I scuba dive and this is one of the top rated destinations for scuba.... and snorkeling, windsurfing.

What makes this island so wonderful for these water activities?

There are many reasons!

The weather is arid and warm year round.
The ABC islands are out of the hurricane belt.
The water temperatures are about 80-85 degrees F with little or no current.
The reef is close to shore so divers and snorkelers don't need to take long boat rides to reach their destinations.
(In fact, Bonaire is rated as the premier destination for "shore diving!")
The island is very European with Dutch influence, (currently voting on a referendum to be part of Holland again).
Most people speak 4 or 5 languages with Dutch as the official language. English, German, Spanish and the native language of Papiamentu is also spoken by most locals.
The restaurants are world class, with great food, good variety and great wines, unlike many caribbean islands.

And.......

Well, I can go on and on but I think you get the idea.

Great weather, great people, good food, easy access to water sports.

Every few years my husband and I scuba somewhere else, but we always return to Bonaire!

~~~

Bonaire Shoreline

bonaire shoreline, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Bonaire's shoreline looking north toward Buddy Dive Resort

---

Kralendijk's Fort Orange

Kralendijk's Fort Orange, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

~~~

Fort in Bonaire, built in 1639, has 4 cannons from 1808-1812.

For the history of Bonaire, click here!

~~~

Historical Bonaire

bonaire history, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

The lighthouse and abandoned historical buildings are just a few places to see on Bonaire.

~~~

Fish Eye View

under the boat, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

As we enter the water, I wait for my husband.

Is this how we look to the fish?

---

Lac Bay, Bonaire

Lac Bay, Bonaire, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Great fun watching the windsurfers in Lac Bay. The area is on the windy side of the island, but the water is protected by the reef. So they have the wind but no waves.


Still no Photoshop, not until I get home. This is from the Canon G9 in its underwater housing.

spotted eagle ray

spotted eagle ray, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

In the shallows of Bonaire. I love how the rays seem to just appear from the sandy bottom. They "fly" like birds, so graceful and free.

divers over sand

divers over sand, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Just playing around underwater....in Bonaire!

Bonaire

From warm and wonderful Bonaire

~~~~~~~~~~

Bonaire Flamingo

Bonaire is warm and sunny and best of all, the nature and wildlife is spectacular.

The best sights are underwater and those photos will be posted in a few days.

This photo was posted straight from the camera since I do not have Photoshop on this new little laptop.

The flamingo is a common site on Bonaire and there is even a flamingo sanctuary.

Hope you all are having nice weather on Long Island too!

~~~~~~~~~~

Flying to warmer weather

above the clouds, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Yes, it's that time of year again. I just have to get away to some warmer weather!

It's back to sunny, tropical Bonaire, a desert island really,

my favorite scuba-diving location.

Stay tuned for Bonaire photos!

~~~

You can see my previous photos in a slideshow here. Just click!

~~~

I'm not taking a lot of camera equipment this time due to all the airline weight restrictions,

so my photos will have to be more "creative" and less technical.

Hope you enjoy Long Island while I'm gone!

You can still keep in touch by email and comments!

~~~

Ancestry Hair

willard m scott's hair, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

This is my mother-in-laws father, Willard Moore Scott born 1898 in Delaware.
Willard may be about 5 or 6 in this photo. He still had long curls which was the style at that time. A recent visit to my in-laws, discussing the family history, produced this out of the attic.

before the snowplow

before the snowplow, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

More snow!
Long Island usually doesn't get so much snow, this early in the winter.