Starting to look a lot like October...and it feels like farmstand season . 

The Autumn beach in mid-week provides some measure of solitude and gives one pause to reflect, to be thankful and to be appreciative.
"The surf: certainly one of natures finest edges" Russell Chatman ...Dark Waters (1988) 

Morning Mist...Sunrise on the trout stream really is a wonderful sight and the experience is enhanced by the sheer and utter quiet that surrounds you. As peaceful as it was on Tuesday, the fish were taking dry flies for hours. My guess is (since we really don't know all that much about this sport) that we "matched the hatch" completely by accident. Click on the image to get a larger view and a better sense of just how beautiful this place can be. :-)
"Fly fishing is solitary, contemplative, misanthropic....It is not even clear if catching fish is actually the point". John Gierach, Dances With Trout, 1994

Pumpkin Time...Long Island's North Fork towns see more than their share of weekend traffic as day trippers decend upon the area in search of the perfect pumpkin. Locales refer to it as the invasion of the "pumkin people". 

Preston's...Long Island's East End is best seen after the crowds have left. It is lately beginning to lose some of it's "off season feel" as more people become permanent residents. Preston's in Greenport has been serving the marine industry from this dockside location since the mid-1800's. 

Davis Park...midweek and not much "action" at the beach, looks like one of those "lazy days". 

While we really did catch a lot of fish, the important issue for trout anglers is looking good in the stream. Notice the catch and release net hung smartly from the latest vest offering from Orvis. The Simms wading shoes are a perfect match to the breathable lightweight chest high waders. Alida's casting technique offers excellent fly presentation and a decent photo opportunity...
"...tis not all of fishing to fish" Izaak Walton, The Compleat Angler, 1653. :-) 

September Berries...and early signs of Fall. 

The view from here...As I see it, the real downside to the start of Fall is the need for long pants and socks. Pretty "heady" stuff to contemplate during the third week of September. I really do think that this retirement lifestyle is a good fit for me. :-) 

Two posts today, be sure to see the shot right under this one. This Black-Crowned Night Heron was either requesting a profile portrait or using that old "if I don't move they won't see me" defense. He was rather close to the area that we were fishing along the Connetquot River.

Another reason why the camera is now required fly fishing equipment. This is a Black-Crowned Night Heron trying to be invisible, he was in a small marshy area just off the trail. Connetquot River State Park is a special place, an oasis for wildlife in the midst of suburbia. I'm posting two shots of this beautiful bird, click on the image for the larger (and better) view.

Fish On...The lessons, the trips to the Orvis store and the tying of microscopic knots are all worth it for the smile on my fishing partner's face. It was a wonderful morning on the river as the bite continued for several hours. Click on the image for a larger view and a close-up of that smile!

The Davis Park ferry...A different sight on the Great South Bay. Throwing a large plume of a wake, the new ferry from Patchogue to Davis Park (Fire Island) has a distinctive profile on the horizon. 

...and I'm sure they do. Seen at Kismet, Fire Island. :-) Click on the photo for larger view and to read that vanity plate!

The late summer flowers are having their last moments to shine. It's a good time to try the macro lens.... 

Crabbing season is at it's zenith with the bay and the canal full of Blueclaws. I thought it would be a good idea to try and get a macro shot using the 50 mm lens. Wrong...not one of my better ideas. Very uncooperative subjects, crabby in fact. :-)

Cleared for take-off...I suppose that we all need to spread our wings from time to time. 

Barrett Beach, Fire Island...Our favorite beach can only be accessed by boat, there are no roads and no ferry service. Weekend crowds are small by most beach standards with plenty of room for everyone to spread out. During the week and after Labor Day we "own" it! :-) 

Mid-September Sunset...The evening air has that crisp early Fall feel to it as the sun slips below the horizon over the Great South Bay. Quite a show and reward enough for an after dinner boat ride ( jackets included). :-) 

Fire Island Light...On the boat, on a nice day with the camera inevitability results in the ubiquitous Lighthouse image. It's just too good to pass up! An Icon of Long Island's South Shore. 

Pam spent a relaxing weekend beaching and boating with us. Five years ago today she made it out of the North Tower in her bare feet. She managed to get to the Jersey side of the Hudson with the help of many strangers. Just one of thousands of stories that need to be told and re-told. 

At the turn of the tide boats anchor close to the Fire Island Inlet Bridge in order to fish the bridge's structure. The current at this point is too fast for drifting. 

Fire Island Inlet...We were fishing close to the beach and this scene looked like a car commercial to me. Soo..a fishing rod in one hand, a camera in the other. ( and not much skill in either LOL). 

Another "view from the helm" shot...A day of multi-tasking on the water. Fishing, driving, taking photos, baiting hooks, netting a few bluefish and simply loving every minute of it! A beautiful September mid-week day to be on the boat. 

Summer Stars...shine in early September. 

Forever Young.....Is that Labor Day in the rear view mirror? Is summer done? Do we need to pack away our pails and shovels? Just does not seem fair.... 

No worries...He appears to have learned at a very young age that there is nothing more carefree than a good day at the beach. :-) 

(Click on Image for larger view) The last of Ernesto passes through the Great South Bay as boaters snug things down.