Vagabond and the Lighthouse

Vagabond and the Lighthouse, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

I really haven't been taking or posting many photos recently. Oh, you've noticed?

It's a fact of life that at some point, a person's "focus" changes.

The purchase of a Florida condo, for winter cold-weather escapes, has us spending all of our energy (and money) into getting settled, buying furniture, and making friends.

I keep saying that as soon as we're settled, I'll once again search out locations and wildlife to photograph. Soon, really, I will!

Thanks for continuing to stop by and visit here.

In the meantime, you can check out my images for Google Earth and Maps at Panoramio.

Dreaming

California Dreaming, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Get ready for Football

Jets 10, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Super Bowl Sunday and the family will watch the game. My job? Make some yummy food that can be eaten in the living room, with no utensils, without making a big mess!

Blowing Rocks Beach

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

Looking south at Blowing Rocks Beach Park. There were some people swimming today, even with the clouds.

Day Break

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

Another beautiful morning with a promise of perfect weather. Florida in winter is wonderful. I can sleep with all the windows open and no insects!

Photo is: Day Break over Jupiter Island and the Intra-coastal.

Waiting for the Bridge

Waiting for Bridge, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Large boats are waiting for the bridge opening in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Village of North Palm Beach bridge

Florida egret

Florida egret, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

In Florida, egrets are like Long Island seagulls. They hang around the buildings looking for food.

Everglades

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

Watch out for those alligators!!

air boat in the Everglades

air boat in the Everglades, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Warm Florida weather, it's not Long Island.

Pier 17 NYC

Pier 17 NYC, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

View from the Brooklyn Bridge.

Just love my trips into the city. Driving and parking is always such a hassle but not too bad on weekends if you stay away from mid-town.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Dreaming of a white Christmas?

snowy trail, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

from 2009
A snowy trail in Connetquot State Park, Oakdale, Long Island, NY

No snowy Christmas this year.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

Rain on screen

Rain on screen, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Early morning sunrise in Florida. The intracoastal is in the foreground and the ocean in the distance. It rained the night before but the day has the promise of sunshine. Florida sunshine.

lifeguard station

lifeguard station, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

The year-round people in Florida think it's just too cold to go to the beach. After all, this is their winter. Me? It feels like June in New York. I'm ready for the sand and sunshine!

Florida dreaming

Back in the 1960s, I did some California Dreaming. It was the place to be (our culture of the time said) and I couldn't get there. Just a young teenager with strict parents, it didn't matter that it was 1967 and the "summer of love." For this little girl from Brooklyn, it was "stay home and help your mother!"
Well, now that I'm older, I'm not going to California, but Florida. Warm weather, sunshine and tax breaks for retirees. Who knew?

Winter Beach Walk

The days have been cold but not terrible. What better way to "cheat" the season, than taking a walk on the beach?

My Winter Friend

Our big blue friend, the Great Blue Heron as he is known, comes to visit us every winter. We sometimes see him in other seasons, but I think he like it here in winter, tucking himself out of the wind.

bridges

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

...from my Robert Moses Bridge series.
How many different images can you get of the bridge and roadway?

noon

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

Where does the time go? It's December and the holidays are here with the crazy pace of shopping and preparations. Did we just bring in the year 2000 with the Y2K scare? Seems like yesterday! Now that's scary!!

beach grass

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

Davis Park, Fire Island

My last trip to Fire Island for the winter. The boat is out of the water, cleaned and wrapped. Time to think of holidays and winter, but we'll be back in spring!

driftwood davis park

driftwood davis park, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Davis Park, Fire Island

Happy Thanksgiving

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

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
Let the eating frenzy begin.....

Lots to be thankful for....family, friends, good food. Hope you have a wonderful day!

Macy's

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

The shopping craziness has begun. Does it get you stressed and uneasy?

This is Macy's in Manhattan. I used to work here part-time while in college. I took the train from Brooklyn, often getting home very late at night. As a "floater" cashier, I had to close up the registers which meant counting up the money and making sure it matched the receipts. Then the next day's cash drawer had to be set up.

It wasn't all automated and computerized the way it is now. Cash registers didn't tell you the exact change. Money had to be counted out when returned to the customers. There are few cashiers who can do that today!

duck box

duck box, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Built by a neighbor, a few years ago, the box sits in the phragmites. I've never actually seen a duck in the nesting box but we do have plenty of ducks on the river. It is my understanding that this is built specifically for Wood Ducks, and we mainly see Mallards here. At this time of year, the Buffleheads come to visit, migrating through Long Island, and away from the windy Great South Bay.

sax player

sax player, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

NYC's High Line

Musician: Paul Meurens

See more photos of Paul Meurens here!

thank our veterans

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

A thank you to our veterans and their families for sacrifices they have made!
Thank you!

Field on the High Line

Field on the High Line, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Walking the High Line....Yes, this is New York City.

Click here to find out more about this man made park!

Arboretum bench

Arboretum bench, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Just a walk through the arboretum, on a beautiful autumn day. The leaves are not as vibrant this year due to hurricane Irene and the heavy ice storm last week. Many trees are bare and any leaves on the trees are just a drab brown color. In spite of the lack of color, it does have its beauty!

Happy Halloween

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

Happy Halloween to all! :-)

Connetquot River State Park

leaning tree, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Soon to change to autumn colors.....

Browns River

Browns River, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Browns River, looking south to the Great South Bay. This is considered a watershed area and protected by the DEC. There is still areas of Long Island that are relatively undeveloped and natural to protect our water supply. Thank the environmentalists and government agencies for protecting our watershed areas and keeping things natural for our enjoyment!

Fire Island, bayside

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

This is the bayside of Fire Island, at the Sunken Forest.

September and October are the best months on Fire Island, in my opinion, because the summer crowds are gone and the weather still beautiful. It is quiet except for the sound of the ocean waves and birds, long gone are the many boats heading to the beach. An occassional plane or helicopter passes overhead. It is warm between the dunes and a long walk is the perfect way to spend the day!

Oliver, age 3 1/2

Oliver, age 3 1/2 , a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Saw Oliver and his baby twin brothers this weekend. Great time!

Autumn Connetquot River

Autumn Connetquot River, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Autumn, Connetquot River at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum

autumn falls

autumn falls, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Just one of many falls at Ricketts Glenn, Pennsylvania

Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Went to visit family in Wisconsin.
Didn't know the Great Lakes could look like the ocean. New information for me! This is Lake Michigan on a mildly windy day. Waves, rocks, driftwood...It looked just like the Atlantic Ocean!

dahlia garden

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

pollen & bee

pollen & bee, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

The dahlia garden at the Cutting Arboretum in Oakdale is at its peak. Take a ride over there and view the beautiful dahlias! There are also lots of bees but don't worry. They won't be interested in you with so many colorful flowers available!

praying mantis 2

praying mantis 2, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

According to wikipedia:
"Close up image of a mantis' face (Archimantis latistyla) showing its compound eyes and labrum. The structure of the compound eye creates the illusion of a small pupil."

vineyards, please

vineyards please, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Palmer vineyards on the North Fork

grape vine

grape vine, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

North Fork Wineries grape vine

~

We took a car ride out to the North Fork Wineries and made a few stops to sample some Long Island wines.

I volunteered to be the designated driver so I kept busy by photographing the grape vines and scenery.

A few vines still had their dark red/purple grapes.

Luckily hurricane Irene did not spoil the grapes although you could see the salt water damage on the grape leaves.

It was a beautiful day for a drive and it always amazes me at the vast areas of agricultural land still there on the east end.

parking by the bay

parking by the bay, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

There is something so different about the air once Labor Day arrives. The sky has less haze and more fluffy clouds. The coolness in the air has that almost autumn feel. It is one of the best times on Long Island!

Ground Zero

Ground Zero Cross, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Ground Zero

New York City, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

In memory...

In memory..., a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Port Jeff ferry

Port Jeff ferry, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

The rain finally stopped long enough to walk around Port Jefferson. We love to watch the huge, powerful ferry turn in the harbor loaded with so many cars. Don't you wonder how something so heavy can float? I know why, but it always amazes me. I feel the same when I see a heavy plane take off and fly. Doesn't seem possible, but it is. Just amazing!

blue 5, the color series

blue 5, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Every once in awhile, I participate in a little project. It motivates the creativity, since I'm always taking photos and sometimes feel like there is nothing new to photograph in my everyday life. This week the project was color! Here are three photos, blue, violet and orange.

violet 3, the color series

violet 3, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

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!