orange 6, the color series

orange 6, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Fire Island beach

Fire Island beach, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Leaving Davis Park, a police patrol rides along the beach.

I've spent the last three days on the beach and the weather was perfect! My thinking is that I needed to squeeze in all the beach I could get since Labor Day is here and the weather will quickly cool down. Perfect weather!

flooding river

flooding river, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Hope you all recover soon!
The flood water has receded but many of you are without power. In this photo, taken on Sunday, the water pours out of the river onto a residential street.

Race Rock Lighthouse

Race Rock Lighthouse, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

One of the lighthouses on our Lighthouse Cruise out of Greenport.

One of the engineers of Race Rock Lighthouse, Captain Thomas Albertson Scott, also built the seawall at Governors Island and the foundation for the Statue of Liberty.

It was a great cruise!

North Dumpling, Fishers Island

North Dumpling, Fishers Island, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

North Dumpling Lighthouse was one of the lighthouses we saw on our Lighthouse Cruise. It leaves from Greenport. Check it out: http://www.eastendseaport.org/cruises.htm

beach grass

beach grass, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

The weather has been beautiful. The ocean waves have been calm and the water warm. It's been perfect beach weather, but last night's storm gave us a reality check. Enjoy the summer while you can!

our visitors

our visitors, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

The lamb and goat story...

On Wednesday, we were visited by a small lamb and goat. Thinking they just wandered from a neighbor's yard (some homes here are on one acre or more), we sent them back into the direction from where they came. Two hours later a Suffolk County police officer knocked on the door, looking for a lamb and goat. We told him that we saw the animals but they were no longer here.

An hour later, the goat and lamb returned. I called the police to inform them and the police sent three cars and three officers, one with the SPCA division. This was about 3pm on Wednesday. The men used our patio furniture to contain the animals in one area of the yard, near the canal, to limit their wandering.

They tried to find the owners of the animals with no success.

My husband and I had to leave by 7pm, so we left the two animals and three officers and a pile of patio chairs next to the canal in our back yard.

We returned at 9pm only to find the animals on our driveway, no police or SPCA, and a missing chair. Where could the chair be? In the canal of course!

Apparently, having no way to remove the animals and nowhere to place them, the officers left. The animals stayed and pushed their way out, sending one of our patio chairs into the water.

Next morning, the animals, still very comfortable in my yard, were eating my annuals and shrubbery. I called the SPCA again. After answering 20 questions from someone who obviously didn't know what I'm talking about, they eventually call me back and explained the situation. They cannot take the animals. There is no placement for them, and according to the lieutenant "...they called every farm, petting zoo and animal rescue group on Long Island and no one can take these farm animals..." I will just have to wait.

Friday morning, the cute little goat and lamb are still here. (We are becoming attached to them, honestly, but still don't want them here.) No calls from the police or SPCA either. I make, what happens to be, my last call to the SPCA. I answer another 20 questions and I'm told they will call me back.

I never get a return call. The SPCA and/or the police never returned my call!

By the end of the day, realizing I was on my own and there would be no help from a government agency, I start calling my animal-loving friends. Our friend Gail knows of a group, the Double D Bar Ranch. They rescue farm animals. We call them and in about one hour, they travel from Manorville to Bayport and pick up the animals. No problem!

Check out their web site. http://doubledbarranch.org/

Rich and Gay Devoe came and gently captured the animals with their bare hands.

Placed them into the back of an SUV and drove away!

The Double D Bar Ranch was set up to provide homes for prior abused or unwanted farm animals. This Is a Non-profit Organization 501 (c) (3) Approved. (All Donations Are Tax Deductible and All Funds Received go to the Animals. No Salaries or Administration Fees Are Taken, according to their web site.)

They are located at:

344 Wading River Road

Manorville, NY 11949-3444

Phone (631) 878-4106

Fax (631) 874-4024

Cell (631) 513-6828

I am writing about this and posting this to make everyone aware of these generous animal-caring people.

I want to thank them for responding so quickly and taking the animals in a loving and gentle way.

Thank you Rich and Gay!

If you'd like to help them, check out their website.

Read the stories and contribute a donation or volunteer to help!

great south bay race

great south bay race, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Last night (August 11, 2011) on the Great South Bay

A beautiful night on the water, calm breezes and warm temperatures.

Home of George B Post

I had an interesting day today.

Since I am on the House Tour committee for the Bayport Heritage Association, I toured the house built by George B Post.

Click here for more information about him.

The home, the Littlewood Estate, built 1896, is now for sale.

Since it is such a historic house and built by a well-known architect, the Heritage Association wanted to have it shown to the public.

It is not known what the new owner will do, how the house will change or even if it will remain standing (Yikees!).

It is a beautiful old home, with 9 bedrooms, servants quarters, trunk room, full basement and attic. It needs much updating but the right owner can do it justice and return this to the masterpiece it once was.

My wish is for its preservation, of course.

If you'd like to go on the Hour Tour, October 16, 2011, please comment to this post and I will send you more information to buy tickets, $25. There will be 5 or 6 homes on the tour as well as refreshments at the estate of Meadow Croft.

Phoenix Art Gallery, Bellport

Muttontown Preserve, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

This photo is for sale, on canvas, 14x14", at the Phoenix Gallery, Bellport. Canvas wrapped and ready to hang, profits go to the Brookhaven Arts Council.

Click here for address and directions:

http://www.phoenixartsgallery.com/directions.html

Hope you will stop by and see the amazing photography of NWPLI, the Nature and Wildlife Photographers of Long Island.

Thank you!

summer reflections

Harry W, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

bridges and causeway

bridges, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

The view from the Captree State Park fishing pier...
A beautiful night to watch the sunset!

Moon and the Lighthouse

The moon finally showed itself from behind the clouds.

Software to show the exact location of moon rise, had it scheduled to appear right behind the lighthouse.

I was all ready in the perfect location, only to have the clouds prevent me from getting the shot I wanted.

There will always be another moon rise over the lighthouse, but maybe not in a location I can access.

Marine Fuel

Marine Fuel, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Captree State Park

We went to take photos of the full moon rising and had the added bonus of watching the sunset!

Software to help determine the exact location of each sun and moon rise and set, helped me decide exactly where to stand to see the moon rise behind the Fire Island Lighthouse. Then the moon rose exactly on schedule, only to have it hidden by clouds.

William -8 weeks old

june 18 -8 weeks, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

My beautiful, pleasant grandson William
The progression of his birthmark (hermangioma).

william's hermangioma

william's hermangioma, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

My beautiful, pleasant grandson William
A vascular birthmark that only shows after the first few weeks of birth. We saw a specialist in NYC and William will need surgery to remove it when he gets older. It's not life-threatening but for cosmetic purposes it will be removed.

Quaiapen from Watch Hill

Quaiapen from Watch Hill, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Love this time of year, the beach, boating and warm weather. Love Long Island too!

Osprey, Heckscher State Park

Osprey, Heckscher State Park, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Beach Stop

Beach Stop, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

A stop sign for the Fire Island Rangers on the Fire Island National Seashore

Happy July 4th!

flag on the stern, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Agrigento

Walking in Agrigento, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Agrigento

Agrigento, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Just looking at some old photos. This one from my trip to Sicily in 2007.

My mother's parents were from Agrigento. I never got to meet them but the people in this city are wonderful. One lady wanted to know why I was walking around with a short-sleeve shirt. It was 65 degrees F (about 20 C) and the Sicilians were wearing winter coats. I was so warm and over-heated from walking up and down those many hills and steps.

Every street twists and turns and brings you to another hill or staircase through an alley-way. I loved it!!!

It was Sunday and I could hear the pots banging in the kitchens, and ladies speaking Italian...and the smells!....wonderful tomato sauce cooking for Sunday dinner. It brought back wonderful memories from my old Brooklyn.


Agrigento, Sicily

coming home

coming home, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

The Bugle Man

The Bugle Man, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

I thought the bugle sound to start the races was a recording, until I saw this guy. Cute tie, no?!

Have you been to Belmont recently? You can picnic right there on the grounds and even barbecue in the fenced picnic area that also has tables and umbrellas.

I recommend that you look into this for small parties and family gatherings, unless of course you can't control your gambling.

We met here with a group of Long Island photographers to socialize and take photos of the horses and races.

It was a great day!

I didn't lose a dime, but then I didn't bet any money either. In my opinion, I was the biggest winner.

Good friends, good food and just enough excitement!

Belmont Racetrack

Belmont Racetrack, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Our yearly visit to the racetrack with the Long Island Photographers Meetup group. Fun day, as usual, with a great group of people.

Drive to the north fork, LI

We took a ride out east to the north fork this week. The weather has not been great but we needed a change of scenery. This winery is in Jamesport, a beautiful area of farms and vineyards. People often stop at the wineries for "wine tasting" events, but it's really an excuse to be out in the more rural areas of Long Island.

Claudio's in Greenport is another summer destination.

Walk through the old town and stop and have lunch on the dock of Claudio's.

It's a nice way to spend the day!

Happy Fathers' Day

Happy Fathers' Day, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Happy Fathers Day!

Hope you have good memories and that you enjoy the day.

The man on the right is my dad. He was born 1908 and died 1994. In this photo, he's with his mother, my brother Peter (about 7) and the baby is my brother Greg, 1946.

On the TV news just now, they asked people on the street, "What words of advice did your father give you?" Well, I had to think about that a moment. There weren't many but here are the ones I remember:

• Don't mix your alcohol. Drink scotch, it won't make you sick.
• Don't eat chopped meat dishes in restaurants. You never know what's in it.
• Plant marigolds with your vegetables; it keeps the bugs away.
• You can have fun when you're married, just don't tell your husband.

Really, he said that.

I still miss him.

Happy Fathers Day Dad!

Hope you all have a great day!

touch of heather

touch of heather, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Long Island in Spring

Such a beautiful time of year here on Long Island. The flowers are all in bloom and show their rich colors against the green leaves and blue sky. Beautiful.

The weather has not been typical of our springtime weather though. Cooler than usual and lots of rain and fog, it's not what you would expect. We just keep waiting for better weather.

sinclair man

sinclair man, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

In the window of a DeLorean dealer:
PJ Grady DeLorean, West Sayville

dragon fly or damsel?

dragon fly, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

I don't know the names of all the varieties of dragon flies and damselflies, but thought this one was a beauty. I wish I had gotten the bright blue "tail" sharper, but I think he was vibrating this end to attract the females!

"Damselflies are similar to dragonflies, but the adults can be differentiated by the fact that the wings of most damselflies are held along, and parallel to, the body when at rest."

So I guess this is a damselfly!

Robin

Robin, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Found this guy while shooting with my friend Michelle at Sunken Meadow Park. Beautiful day today, just a little too warm, so we stopped shooting by 11am!

spinnaker

spinnaker, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

We took a nice evening sail last night on the Great South Bay. This guy was sailing with the wind behind him.

Bayard Cutting Estate

Bayard Cutting Estate, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Visit the Bayard Cutting Arboretum, Oakdale

female cardinal

female cardinal, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

One year ago today, this photo was chosen for Flickr.com's Explore page. Still one of my favorites!

Under construction

Please bear with me while I rework this site.
I tried to update the features, since I've had this exact blog layout since 2005. It is time. :-(

Unfortunately, just changing one item, causes a chain reaction and now I have to change everything.
I'm trying to keep the same colors and appearance as the old site which may take some time.

Thank you!

Fire Island Maid, Ferry to Fire Island

Fire Island Maid, Ferry to Fire Island, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Brown's River, Sayville

As the weather improves, boat rides to Fire Island are more frequent and enjoyable.

Mother-in-law

Mother-in-law Ruth came to visit and had a wonderful time!

Eighty-nine years old, she even went into the hot-tub!

Julie with flag

Julie with flag, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

At the Jones Beach Air Show rehersal, May 28, 2010

Retired Northwest Airlines captain Julie Clark, an acrobatic pilot. Clark is "one of the best female aerobatic performers in the country," says New York State parks spokesman George Gorman.

Blue Angels formation

Blue Angels formation, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Calverton National Cemetery
Long Island, NY
~~~~~
In memory of those we have lost.....

sunset boat ride

sunset boat ride, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

A quick boat ride on the Great South Bay to watch the sunset. It's still a little cool on the water but summer is not too far away! It was just nice to be out there!

Bayport Yard Sale

The Bayport Heritage Association's

Annual Yard Sale

will take place on

May 21st and May 22nd, 2011

9am-4pm

226 Gillette Ave.

Bayport, NY

Weather

Weather, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Think of the storm roaming the sky uneasily
like a dog looking for a place to sleep in,
listen to it growling.
-Elizabeth Bishop (1911-1979), U.S. poet

Living on the river keeps me connected to the changes in weather. A minor drop in temperature, a sudden appearance of clouds, an increase of wind speed....it is always obvious and can't be ignored.

I rarely listen to a weather report. All I have to do is step outside, feel, smell, and experience the air .

Sunset and Fishing

Sunset and Fishing, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Beautiful sunset on the Great South Bay.
Now if the rain will only stop, we can all get back on the water!

Priscilla

Priscilla, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

1888 OYSTER SLOOP PRISCILLA

Read about sailing on this boat, Priscilla.

www.limaritime.org

flight

flight, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

We took our first boat ride this week and had a visit from a hungry gull.

Happy Mother's Day! the twins

Happy Mother's Day! the twins, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

born april 26th 2011
Just one and a half weeks old in this shot.....

osprey

osprey, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

It's so wonderful to see these large birds coming back to Long Island. It seems that every town has their osprey family nesting high on the tree tops.

Twins arrived!

My husband Chris, the proud grandpa.

His daughter Trisha had twins this week and carried them to full term.

Both healthy, is all we wanted.

William Preston, 6 lbs. 5 oz.

Gavin Luke, 5 lbs. 13 oz.

~~~~~~~~~~

sunset silhouette

sunset silhouette, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Anegada harbor

Anegada harbor, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.