Bethpage, Polo at the Park

I met some friends at the Polo Field in Bethpage State Park.

It was a very nice way to spend the afternoon, seeing something out of my usual experience.
Polo, played on a grass field 8 times larger than an American Football field, with horse-mounted players, makes a great experience to watch live!

I love to watch the beautiful horses at work and the controlled way they take their riders through the match. It's a skill where both rider and horse need to move as one. 

You can read more about Polo at the Park on their website: bethpagepolo.com

Beach Debris

One empty chair on the beach, a sign that storms and high tides have washed away someone's patio furniture. Let's hope this fall/winter & hurricane season does not create this type of damage again.

We've had a beautiful summer on Long Island with moderate temperatures. It may have been a disappointment for some people looking for hotter beach weather, but for me it was perfect!

Let's see what the autumn brings... 

Last summer picnic

I'm always amazed at how quickly the summer passes.

Labor Day already and I haven't been out to the beach nearly enough. I love to pack a picnic lunch, or dinner, and head over to Fire Island. For me, it's one of the highlights of living on Long Island.

Being retired extends the summer. I can still head over to Fire Island after everyone heads back to work and school, but, there is always a little melancholy feeling that creeps in, unexpectedly. 

It's the end of something: the warm days, sun and sand, and the feeling of freedom. It must be a residual feeling, left over from my days as a student and then eventually a teacher.

September always was back to school and then back to work, and the end of carefree summer days.

I know this feeling will pass. After all, retirement extends my summer into fall.

I'm very fortunate and I appreciate all I have.  

End of Summer Flowers

This is the time of year for sunflowers, and there is always a sad feeling knowing that summer is coming to an end.

Fishing off Orient Point

The Jenna Lynn II, out of Connecticut, is fishing off the shores of Long Island.

We took a sailing adventure to Block Island and saw this on our return.

The gulls racing over us in the sky were the first clue that something was happening ahead. 

We soon saw the Jenna Lynn II!

Fire Island, My Celebration

I recently had the opportunity to spend two weeks at Davis Park, Fire Island.
This was a gift to myself, and from my husband of course, for my birthday.
I've always loved the beach, always, as long as I could remember. 

My parents took the family to Jones Beach when my siblings and I were just babies.
We went to Zach's Bay in the early morning, and then years later as we children got older, we would walk to the ocean side. We didn't leave the beach until it was almost dark. 

You see, my father had the store in Brooklyn and Sundays were our family beach day, from June through September. I guess my parents loved the beach too. So, what better way to spend my "big" birthday year? Two weeks on the beach, waking to sunrise on the ocean, walking along the beach looking for interesting shells or stones, falling asleep to the sound of waves... this was my idea of a celebration of life!

Here are just a few images from the two weeks....

Fire Island Summer

Early morning on Fire Island and the sun casts shadows on the dunes.

William loves the beach!

You either love sand or you hate it. 

William is one of the lovers, rolling in it and mushing it on his head!

Davis Park, Fire Island

Last house on the ocean, 5th Walk, west end of Davis Park, Fire Island.

Ocean Buoy off Brooklyn

One of the many ocean buoys along Long Island heading west; this one is off Brooklyn. 

This was shot before "hurricane" Sandy so this view is very different today. 

The area was flooded and many homes were washed away. 

D-Day, June 6th 1944

 

 Do not forget the invasion of Normandy, 1944. 

The men who were there, lived with that traumatic experience their entire lives. 

They are now in their 90s, if they have not yet died of old age, but the memories of June 6th are burned in their hearts and minds and will never be forgotten.

For more information and facts about the day, read this: Click here!

Ruth

We had the chance this month to spend some time with my mother-in-law Ruth. 

She is 92 years old and still relatively healthy and mobile. 

She has lost much weight in the last few months which may be a sign that something is not right. Vital organs are slowing up and/or breaking down, so this visit was even more special.

Growing up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a nearby "vacation" spot was Atlantic City.

Here she is as a young woman,  second on the left, with her sister on her left and two friends, walking the boardwalk. 

There have been many good years in Ruth's life and there is always a reason to celebrate life.

Here she is reading to one of the youngest Great-grandchildren, William, 3 years old.

How fortunate for them both!

Picton Castle, tall ship

Blue Jay

April Starling

April Jonguils

Halloween Pennant Dragonfly

Great weather today in Florida and Long Island as well, I hear. Took a long walk through the undeveloped parkland and found this guy. Unusual coloring I thought, so I couldn't pass him up!

With these black and orange colors, he's the Halloween Pennant Dragonfly!

Beaver Dam Creek

They're back!

Ospreys return to Long Island

It's that time of year again. The osprey are returning to their spring/summer homes.

True "snow birds" they take the best of both climates. This has become my life now. Like the birds, I leave the northeast for a warmer climate. After this winter's cold weather and snow and ice, I'm sure you will understand. Why not get away if you can? As a retired person, there is no reason to stay. 

I know some people do enjoy the cold and snow. I understand that too. 

I never thought I would be the person to leave New York for Florida in winter. After making the journey a few winters now, I can honestly say, that I love it! The temperatures are in the 60s and 70s, sometimes higher, and the sun shines most days. I'm ready to return to Long Island. I miss it, but it's just in time to see the osprey nests and daffodils!

Caribbean Splash

Caribbean Splash, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Thinking of spring.... and Long Island's beautiful beaches.
This photo is NOT of Fire Island. We are so fortunate that we do not have rocks or coral along our Fire Island beaches.

March Sunset

sunset over island, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Why do the sunsets in March seem so vibrant? Less haze? Probably, and what a sight to enjoy!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Irish Lass, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Anhinga anhinga

Anhinga anhinga, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

My first photo of this bird, taken in Florida at the Venice, FL rookery. He flew straight to me and landed at my feet!

Bob Geren and spring training with the Mets

Bob Geren and spring training with the Mets, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Coach Bob Geren #7 and the Mets in training...

Robert Peter Geren (born September 22, 1961, in San Diego, California) is a former Major League Baseball catcher and manager. During a 5-year playing career, he played for the New York Yankees (1988–1991) and the San Diego Padres (1993). He managed the Oakland Athletics from 2007 through 2011. Geren is currently the bench coach for the New York Mets.

Mets Anthony Seratelli

Anthony Seratelli #2, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Mets spring training, in Florida... It's just a little bit of home!

Osprey Resting

Osprey Resting, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

The true "snow bird", we see them on Long Island all summer and in February, they're resting here in Florida.

Tug on the St Lucie River

Tug on the St Lucie River, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Southern Florida weather is so pleasant this time of year. When I was younger, I could not understand why so many people went to Florida in winter. Now I do understand. Amazing how your perspective changes as you grow older.

winter garden

winter garden, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

The garden after a snow fall
Long Island, NY

Florida Beach

Juno pier, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Cool for southern Florida and windy, it's still much warmer than New York. It's the 'Sunshine State'!

fresh snowfall

fresh snowfall, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Snow on Branches

Snow on Branches, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Taken from indoors. I don't like the cold!
The freezing temperatures make outdoor photography difficult. I really admire those nature photographers who travel to arctic regions for photos of polar bears and penguins! It's not for me!

snowy branches

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

I sometimes miss the snow, but not the cold.

Warning Flags

Warning Flags, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Florida may be warmer than Long Island, but the warning flags are out! Use caution wherever you are!

New Years Day 2014: Florida

New Years Day 2014: Florida, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Cloudy sunrise on New Year's Day, 2014

Happy New Year!

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

Merry Christmas!

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

Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy Christmas!

Islip Airport, Snowy Day

Islip Airport, Snowy Day, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Leaving on a jet plane……..

Snow at Islip's MacArthur Airport on December 17, 2013.

christmas barn

christmas barn, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

East end of Long Island, north fork

Snowy Fire Island

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

Bellport Beach, Fire Island

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

Ho Hum Beach, aerial, taken in 2008

This is "Ho Hum Beach", across from Bellport. 

It's a 'resident only' beach, accessed by limited ferry service. 

season's greetings

season's greetings, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Hope you are enjoying this busy holiday season. I know it does get hectic, but really, if you didn't have the family gatherings, the shopping, the cooking, etc., wouldn't life seem just a little boring?

Holidays have been celebrated by all cultures since the beginning of time. There is a reason for it. 

It's part of who we are!

So, enjoy it. Find the joy in everything you do!

And happy holidays!

Wildlife

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

"I sing of brooks, of blossoms, birds and bowers..."
-Robert Herrick (1591-1674), British poet

I live by the water, so as I exit my home and walk outdoors, the birds on the river look at me and fly away.

There is such abundance of wildlife here....various species of ducks, geese, herons, grebes, coots, muskrats, snakes, eels, and of course, fish. Sometimes I'll watch a diving duck disappear under the water only to emerge with his dinner. There have been times when I will see a new unidentifiable  creature, only to find that it's an migratory bird, a new one for my life-list.

And always, there is the quiet.

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.

Just resting in a nearby tree.....(on one leg), in my neighborhood. Are you surprised to see such a large bird in the area? Don't be! This beautiful Great Blue Heron is a frequent visitor to my suburban backyard and is often seen 'hunting' near the river and pond.

Long Island has an abundance of wildlife areas: county, state and national parks, wetlands, the pine barrens, undeveloped areas, which are all natural habitats for a variety of creatures.

Take a walk or drive to the park near where you live and witness this for yourself. Take a break from the shopping and crowds! You may be pleasantly surprised!