Pre-Irene

This very peaceful harbor scene is about to change. Hurricane Irene is 36 hours away. The media has not had this much weather related energy since the last blizzard. The breaking news is all about Irene, her scary windy numbers and changing "cat" status (as in Cat 3 or Cat2). I have learned "cat" is weather-person speak for "category". Soon images of weather battered and wet reporters will fill our TV screens! I wonder what "Brownie" is doing since Katrina....

1909 Style

The New London Lighthouse has a rather non-nautical appearance. Built in 1909 the proposed light was an early example of NIMBY-ism. The wealthy residents living along the coastline objected to the fact that their view would include an "ugly" lighthouse. Today's lighthouse, Long Island Sound's most eastern beacon, is a result of good old American politics. It was agreed that the light should reflect the grandeur of the area, it was constructed in the "second empire" French style of architecture in 1909. BTW: most of the elegant homes that lined the shore were lost in the hurricane of 1938, the light remains.

Orient Point Light

AKA the "Coffee Pot", the lighthouse at Orient Point is a familiar site to any Long Islander who has used the popular Cross Sound Ferry. For many Islanders the first sight of the light is filled with optimism as they head over to the casinos of Connecticut. It's a good bet that the return trip is less upbeat with more losers than winners.

Sound Action

Racing on the Long Island Sound is always colorful. Life is Good! :-)

Guiding Light

Ever notice that just about every town everywhere is "famous" for something? The Town Of Southold on Long Island's north fork has more lighthouses than any other town in the United States. Southold's nautical trivia includes eight of the beacons, seven of which are offshore. This image is of the Little Gull Lighthouse which evidently is a favorite of the ladies. (best seen in larger view)

Right Red Return

Time for some basic navigation review: 1) always try to stay between the rock jetties when returning to port. 2) Cruising through the inlet is always a much better option than cruising over the inlet. 3) While Life is Good, some basic knowledge can be very helpful.

People Watching

A little know fact: Seagulls actually enjoy checking out beach goers with an eye for the latest summer fashion.

Stupid Pet Tricks?

Auditioning for the David Letterman Show?? Some pictures are worth a thousand words......

Flowers??

"Who me?" "I didn't eat any flowers...not me, must have been some other baby deer".

Boat Names

All boats, regardless of length, deserve a name. Unlike "vanity plates" on cars, naming a boat gives it character and personality. As a student of vessel names I am always intrigued as to the motivation behind the naming process which is often creative and frequently just plain corny. I was impressed when this narrow green rowboat flew past us recently. Naturally it was named appropriately "Flying Zucchini". (seen in large view)

Catch The Breeze

An August evening, friends and a breeze over your shoulder....Life is Good!

Partners in Crime

Inseparable four legged buddies invaded my yard three days ago. Despite attempts by the local police and the investigators from the county SPCA, our farm friends remained ensconced in the confines of my back lawn. Hibiscus, petunias and geraniums were the food of choice as local animal advocates searched in vain for the owners of our new found goat and lamb. At a loss for a "safe placement" SPCA officials seemed to shrug and avoid our repeated phone calls.

At long last, after watching my flowers being recycled into animal droppings, a friend suggested the DD Bar farm rescue group from eastern LI. The folks from DD Bar Farm arrived promptly and after some impressive "animal whispering" they had one goat in hand. Mr. Lamb was another story and required several neighbors running in circles as he dodged and sprinted to avoid capture until all parties concerned were exhausted. Eventually we waved farewell as Mr. Goat and his best friend Mr. Lamb headed to their new home.

The Race

Where everyone is a winner...Thursday night is Flying Scott races off Sayville, LI. These speedy 19 foot day sailers cause more than a twinge of nostalgia for me. Many youthful hours were spent hauling jib sheets aboard a Flying Scott with a rather low production number. (Mainsail numbers indicate the boats age by it's place in the production line).

Sea View

Nice view along A1A....Florida dreamin'.

Hanging Out

Low and slow this floating advertisement kept pace with our boat as we cruised across the bay. Something about subliminal suggestion here....

Shore Side

Tranquil and calm...late afternoon by the Great South Bay. Life is Good!

Backyard Visitor

Very cool when the local Great Blue Heron feels comfortable hunting in our backyard!

Caprtree Princess

Headed for another afternoon adventure....Great South Bay Summer.

Garden Safari

If only he would stand still....The elusive "in flight" shot is a challenging balance of camera settings. I'll keep trying as I stalk the critters in my garden. :-)

Bob-O

Dockside at Captree boat basin...Capt. Bob-O and the rest of the fleet sail daily in search of fish to keep their customers happy and returning. I have often thought that the pressure of having to catch fish would spoil the enjoyment of the experience. The difference between "Fishing" and "Catching" really is a question of perspective!

Power View

Not all of Long Island's coastline is bucolic. The energy to power all of those air conditioners has to come from someplace. I suppose that someone's waterfront view has to be impacted, this one is in Island Park on Nassau County's south shore. NIMBY.... :-)

Robert Moses Bridge

For beach goers the Robert Moses Bridge provides Suffolk county's main access to ocean beaches. For local fishermen the attraction is under the bridge which traverses the prime fishing grounds of the Fire Island Inlet. At times the traffic can be intense both underneath and on top.

Grab a Crab

Maryland may be the epicenter of the commercial blue claw crab fishery but Long Island just may have an edge when it comes to recreational crabbing. From July through September local docks, piers and creek banks are crammed with folks dangling strings of chicken parts and wheedling long handled nets. Success is often accompanied by the squeals of young children who are always in awe of the fact that crabs do, in fact, have claws. Summer on Long Island.......

Dock Of The Bay

Sittin' in the mornin' sun
I'll be sittin' when the evenin' come
Watching the ships roll in
And then I watch 'em roll away again, yeah....Otis Redding

Morning Calm

Early, still and hot...later in the day a cooler ocean breeze may help lower the temperature but the intracoastal bakes as the sun rises. Harbor reflections in Tequesta....

A Step Up

July, with the snowbirds gone, can be an ideal time to shop for Florida condos! Life is Good!

Floating Optimism

Hopes and expectations are always at there peak when leaving the dock!

Causeway

Nighttime on the Robert Moses Causeway creates a light show across the Great South Bay. Chances are if you have driven to an ocean beach on Long Island you have used this iconic roadway.

Night Pier

The Captree fishing pier is a Friday night hotspot for shore-bound anglers. It's also an ideal view for opportunistic photographers!

Night Lights

The view of Robert Moses State Park at night has a recent addition. The large Coast Guard radio tower appeared seemingly overnight and changes the iconic water tower scene.

Island Park Sunset

Another sunset, another summer evening....Life is Good!

Relections

It's time for reflection as Harry W seems to have seen better days in the past. Soft evening light can make even a derelict sailboat look good.

Tern, Tern

"For every season...." The terns add much to the unique sights and sounds of our Long Island coastline. For me, they are a major part of the "show" with their aerobatics of wheeling, hovering and diving into the water. Their short and harsh voices calling that keer, kip are complimented by the always nearby laughing gull in the constant soundtrack of the shore. Just add some salt air breeze and the scene lingers to be enjoyed ( or recalled on some bitter snowy morning). :-)

Evening Enjoyment

Sailing off into the sunset. Long Island summer evenings spent chasing striped bass and bluefish is a cherished tradition for many local anglers. A spectacular sunset just adds to the experience. Life is Good.

Full Moon Light

July's full moon arrived right on schedule rising just behind the Fire Island Light. The challenge to photograph the moon low on the horizon was thwarted by a hazy cloud cover. The show was pure lunacy none the less!

Bow Rider

Summer on the Great South Bay...gotta love it! Life is Good.

Clam Bar

Not all boating destinations terminate at the beach or the fishing grounds! It can be difficult to find room on the weekend to dock at Claudio's Clam Bar in Greenport. This empty scene will change rapidly around lunch time.

Busy Season

For some, the summer never allows time to relax. The rewards however can be sweet!

Getting The Shot

What some people will do to get a photo of an Osprey! Holding the camera steady while bobbing in the bay is as much of a challenge as getting close to the subject. I suspect the finished product will show a small bird on a sharp incline :-).

Summer Pond

Water lillies are so much easier to photograph than dragonflies in flight. Maybe next time....

Dockside

Waiting for the weekend....July on the Great South Bay!

Long Island Summer

Get out and enjoy! Life is Good..

Clothes Horse

After the horse, the jockey is the star of the track. Colorful silks from head to toe and goggles that look like horse blinders all add to the drama! Plenty of tradition and pomp to go around.

Fourth Of July

On the stern rail: Red White and Blue and a barbeque. Happy Fourth of July!

Yuck

Click on the image to see a larger more gross view of our most common insect. More than just annoying, these most unwelcome guests at your barbeque can truly spread some nasty pathogens. The housefly's unique form of external digestion can leave some microscopic yet very ugly additions to your potato salad. Have that fly swatter at the ready this weekend!

Perfect Weekend

As we sail into the Fourth of July Holiday weekend the weatherman is promising summer conditions at their best. Time to dust off those beach chairs and get that barbeque grill cooking!

On The Outsde

For sure, I had my money on number six. Amazing how fast they can run without touching the ground :-) .

Getting Hosed

Maintaining your cool makes good horse sense. The post race wash down appeared to be a welcome ritual to most of the race's participants. It was a hot summery day at Belmont Race Track...

Allergies?

Talk about your basic "pollen count", this guy is up to his eyeballs in pollen. Click on the image for a more detailed larger view. More summer macro fun.... :-)

Down The Stretch

The window of opportunity for the photographer is rather narrow at the race track. These animals are bred for speed and they head for home at over thirty miles per hour. That doesn't leave the photographer with much time to adjust settings. Ironically after they charge past and the dust clears there is not much to do except hurry up and wait. Races run every half hour or so and there is ample time to fuss about the camera settings that one should have used...