Sweet n' Salty

Salty, dependable and made of wood. It looks, smells and sits in the water exactly like my "first" boat. "Firsts" stay fresh in the memory because we tend to attach emotion to the whole experience. I can still see my Dad bringing a rowboat just like this one home from the lake. My brother could have his motorbike, I had a boat! Soon, I was introduced to a new skill set called "caulking" which would (in theory) keep the old girl tight. I now fondly smile when I think of all the bailing required to keep her afloat. So much for my caulking skills but she was a thrill none the less.
There aren't too many of these classics still around and I wonder if I'm not alone with my twinge of nostalgia.

The Watcher

On brother-in-law Peter's farm, perched in a loft window of the barn sits the ever vigilant sentinel of barnyard security.

Recess

All boats look better in the water. Few boats look as good in the water as your own. Life is good!

Orient Point Light

I have recently been "revisiting" my digital image files. The workshop gurus refer to this as "work flow management" which really means that digital photography enables one to accumulate an excessive number of images that seldom get a second look. Sometimes it's just a matter of hitting that delete key and moving on, sometimes it's finding an image with promise!
This shot was taken during a trip on the Orient to New London Ferry. (Best seen in large view.)

Time To Haul

An empty ferry and an empty dock at Davis Park's marina, sure signs of season's end. The local boatyards are busy hauling and winterizing boats in an island wide ritual marking the close of the recreational boating season.

Season's Shadow

A season that started with so much promise is all but a shadow at Citifield Park. As the World Series draws to a close I can't help but think that perhaps November is extending the baseball season a bit too far. I mean, after all, the elite of the boys of summer are still at it and the regular NFL season has just completed the first half of it's schedule! Remember when all the bats and gloves where packed away by mid-October? AND...those ridiculously late night World Series games are a topic for another day!

November

Turn those clocks back, grab a warmer jacket and bring in that outdoor furniture.

Happy Halloween

Sure seems as though the adults have "taken over" the whole Halloween thing!

Diehard

Requirements: young enthusiasm, lack of arthritis and a quality wet suit.

Light

Soon the dreaded seasonal end to Daylight Savings Time will be upon us. Early sunsets and dark afternoons will become the norm as Fall slowly slides into winter. Time to start planning that tropical winter escape!

Solitude

Alone with the ocean, yet another reason why it's called "fishing" not "catching".

Color

Peak fall color is a fleeting thing on Long Island and the past few days may just have been "showtime" for Mother Nature!

Country Road

Long Island is showing off it's Fall colors!

Proof

Okay, now let me tell you about the one that got away............ :-) !

Sphere Within A Sphere

Bronze spheres have been appearing on 1st ave. Hey,....why not?

Stormy

Change is in the air, nasty weather can have it's own beauty.

Conflicting Interests

"Fish or Cut Bait?" Fish or shoot photos? Sunrise can the best time to do either creating a joyful dilemma!

Iconic Clock

Shooting natural light indoors is always a fun challenge but the real truth is that it was cold and rainy outside!

Doe Eyed

The locals are reclaiming their beach now that the crowd has left!

"What Sign?"

Rumor has it that this guy was on his cell phone and texting as he drove into the city by himself in the car pool lane.
This shot is almost always a given, the few times I have taken my camera into Grand Central Station it seems like this guy or one of his relatives is perched in front of that sign! :-)

Bayside

Misty, rainy and very peaceful. Great day to settle in with a good book! :-)

Davis Park Connection

With no access for cars, Davis Park's major mode of transportation must float. The ferry connects Davis to the "mainland" via Patchogue. After Labor day the weekday ferry runs are few and far between with the last departure from Davis at 4pm. If you miss that last ferry and are without a boat, you are spending the night!

Catch The Sun

It's the old "shot while shooting" shot! Looks like another bayside brezzy sunset with lots of beauty to focus on! Life is Good!

Morning Cast

The light of sunrise bathes the beach at Davis park. This whole photography thing really is all about the light! :-)

Surf's Up

A small but dedicated group of Long Island surfers stay true to their passion throughout the "off-season". When the weather turns and the surf gets angry there is always a chance to find one of these hardy souls on a deserted beach somewhere on Fire Island!

Fishing vs. Catching

Always hopeful, surf casting involves alot more casting than catching. For me, the real joy comes from the "being" there at ocean's edge and the possibility of maybe, just maybe...!

Late Reflections

Sunset from a different point of view. The magical light of a setting sun provides a real show for those who choose watch!

September Beach

Talk about "having the beach all to yourself", and the biggest decision of the day is, "just where should I put my chair?" (best in larger view)

Dawn

If each new day is a gift, this just may be one of the nicest places to receive it. An Atlantic sunrise, certainly worth the minor inconvenience of staggering out of bed in the dark. Life is Good. (best in large view)

Oh Deer

Rent a beach house on the bay and having visitors is an enjoyable reality. This friendly neighbor stopped by the other morning for coffee, or rather to watch me drink coffee. He calmly took in the view as we enjoyed each other's company.

Just Visiting

Wanting a "view" with your meal seems to be universal. (Best in large view..click on image)

Sunset on the Bay

September sunsets to be savored, best viewed from Davis Park. Life is Good!

Sunrise Fisherman

Fire Island late September sunrise....

Morning By The Bay

"Like a Lake"...till the wind kicks in. :-)

September Beach

The third week of September saw some real Caribbean conditions on Fire Island. However, the weather, "it are a'changin'"! High winds and a serious dip in the temperature is on the radar.

Beach House Time

Spending September nights at the beach...Life is Good!

A Night At The Ballpark

Major fun at the Minor Leagues with the Photographer and the brother. Life is Good!

Salad And Fries

Went to the ball game last night...looking for that "different" ballpark shot when lo and behold, dinner was being served in the field level box seats!

The Cornfield

147 years ago today this rather ordinary looking farm field (aka "The Cornfield) was ground zero in the bloodiest one day battle in American history. In the four hours from 6am-10am, 8,000 men fell in this field during the early part of the battle at Antietam.

I learned (only recently) that my Mother's Grandfather, Pvt. Allen McLane, survived the 50/50 odds of making it across this field on the morning of Sept. 17th, 1862. Allen's 124th Pennsylvania Brigade started from the woods at the right hand side of this image to a point just beyond where the photo was taken. Today the quiet here is both spiritual and awe-inspiring.

Sailing Duties

It's always important to have good crew....!

Maryland Farm

Quiet Antietam morning view...

September 1862

The battle of Antietam ended Lee's advance through Maryland. Though far outnumbered, the Confederate troops inflicted heavy casualties on the Union side and most historians view the battle as a "draw". Many agree that the Civil War could have been won at Antietam if the Union Command had used all the troops held in reserve. (Abraham Lincoln fired General McClelland immediately after the battle).

Country Road

Early September in the Maryland countryside....Life is Good!

Silent Guns

Unlike other National Battlefields, Antietam has a limited number of monuments. The intent at Antietam was to create a quiet, natural environment for reflection and remembrance. Preservationists continue to take stewardship of the hallowed ground and currently are involved with reforestation of areas where timber has been harvested.

September Sailing

"As a dreamer of dreams and a travelin' man I have chalked up many a mile.... Read dozens of books about heroes and crooks.... And I learned much from both of their styles..." J. Buffett

Antietam Farming

The farm fields that are the sites of the original battlefield of Antietam are still farmed today. The fields are leased to local farmers by the National Park Service. Much the park remains today as it did in 1862.

Connections

Genealogy, searching for roots and looking for connections is perhaps a return to that universal childhood question of "where did I come from?". Feeling a self imposed sense of urgency (perhaps a post mid- life awareness) Alida and I have made many discoveries in a relatively short period of time. It's all about documentation, putting the pieces together and connecting the dots. It is fun and new discoveries are exciting.
"Where did I come from?" The geographic answer to this point in my search is in the Maryland countryside of the late 1700's and the urban landscape of a mid-1800's Philadelphia. Ireland, Scotland and Germany are on my research radar. The journey continues, life is good!

Antietam

The single bloodiest day in U.S. history occurred in western Maryland on September 17, 1862. The battle of Antietam lasted one day with a casualty count of 23,000 soldiers. We are told that between the hours of 6 am and 10 am a man went down every second during the back and forth struggle for the 24 acre "cornfield". One brigade from Louisiana (Gen. Hay's) saw 60 percent casualties in thirty minutes. It is said that every stalk of corn was shredded to the ground by weapons fire.

I was drawn to Antietam this weekend at the invitation of distant (here- to-fore unknown) cousins for a family reunion of sorts. Through my genealogy research I recently learned that my Mother's Great grandfather (my Great-Great Grandfather) fought at Antietam as a member of the 124th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. As a part of the 12th Corps, the 124th was instrumental in capturing the "cornfield" section of the battle field. My distant third cousins were celebrating his legacy, we connected through a research website on the inter net. It was an honor and a thrill to be included and to meet "new" family members!

Right Red Return

Heading for port under a glorious September sky and having the bay all to ourselves...priceless!

September

I can feel it in the evening when closing the patio umbrella, I feel it in the morning when bringing in the paper. Summer has begun it's gradual slide into fall. September holds promise for much more wonderful weather, yet still it marks a corner turned. The bathing suit uniform adds a sweatshirt, tevas are traded for sneakers and long pants become more practical than shorts.
September is upon us. Life is good.