Happy Thanksgiving...May your day be filled with many reasons to be thankful. 

Anticipation...Today is the day before Thanksgiving! Chances are that you are either traveling or you are busy in the kichen. They tell us that today is one of the nation's busiest days at the airports and that the highways will be jammed. Ironic that many hours of "traveling" are spent not moving. I'm thinking that patience needs to be the operative word for the day. 

Walk This Way...and listen to the quiet. And lately, bundle-up! The last of the color in late November is on display. 

Peaceful...Lots to be thankful for every day but this week is special. Perhaps the best holiday of the year, Thanksgiving is all about appreciating family, friends, good food and good fortune. No pressure to buy the "right" gift, just enjoy each other's company. Giving ourselves permission to over-indulge is a nice benefit as well. :-)

And the Sun Came Out...After several dank and rain filled days it was time for a stroll to enjoy some fresh air. Out of the zip code but still nearby this is a shot from Bellport Village. 

Die Hard Boaters...With the sun low in the late afternoon sky, a boat similar to ours (Parker) makes a pretty silhouette. When it's not raining, November has been rather mild this year with temps in the 60's making late season boating very comfortable. This is however, the wrong lattitude for December boating and I scheduled the inevitable yesterday. The boat will be hauled when the leftover turkey is all gone.

Pier into the Night...The weather here continues to be nasty making those outdoor shots a chore. This was taken at the local town marina, I was playing with the new tripod actually. Out of the camera it took on an eerie quality for me, like an interrogation waiting to happen.

The tripod opens up all sorts of low light opportunities but I'll be happy to see the sun again! 

Taking Flight...I feel honored that this guy has been spending his November mornings visiting us. While very beautiful at rest, he just simply dazzles me in flight. This shot was limited by the focal length and speed of my zoom lens, I'm finding him to be a challenging subject. Click on his wing for a larger view. :-)

A Stream for All Seasons...The upper sections of the Connetquot River are very scenic and peaceful. I have taken photos from this vantage point at other times of the year but this mirror-like reflection of November color is hard to beat. Click on this image for a larger view. 

Want to Get Away?...The stillness and quiet of a hike in Connetquot River Preserve is part of the special experience. AND...every once in awhile one is reminded that the 4,000 acre park in the middle of Suffolk County is an oasis in the midst of suburban sprawl. The Islip McArthur Airport borders the park's Northeast boundary, hikkers and fishermen get to check aircraft landing gears up close. :-) 

Frequent Visitor...Becoming a regular fixture, the Great Blue Heron is apparently getting more comfortable just hanging out in the yard. I was able to take a few photos from the patio. In the past he would fly as soon as we opened the back door. 

November Beach day...We spent the day sailing to the beach as Kevin and Ragan came up for a visit. It was a rather eventful day for Ragan who got her "second ever" Atlantic Ocean view and her "first ever" sailboat ride. In spite of the cool temperature, she found the urge to wet her feet irresistible. Hey...she was at the beach. :-) 

Thank a Veteran...Another shot of the Long Island VietNam Veterans Memorial. Seems appropriate today.

A Walk in the Woods...A short stroll in the woods turned into a five mile hike through Connetquot River Preserve yesterday. This guy was actually lying down just off the trail, he was as curious about us as we were about him. It was a beautiful, warm November morning to confuse the blue trail from the red trail. I suspect that the illegible map provided by the park office was drawn up by someone who failed geography and has serious spatial relationship issues. It was, however, a perfect day to get a little lost in the woods. :-) 

November Rain...With both the rain and the leaves falling the sunroom ceiling took on an icy appearance yesterday. Much too wet of a day for attempting any outdoor shots. It's not the weather that makes photography challenging, it's this photographer's lack of creative thought process. :-)

Painted November Sky...We are in for a few days of rain before we get to see another evening sky like this one! 

Election Day...It's time to just shut up and vote. It's not a day to be cynical, if I don't vote then I am part of the problem and not part of the solution. I have often thought that in order for one to have a vocal political opinion proof of having voted should be required. Cliches' abound in regards to Election Day but the bottom line is if you don't open your mouth to speak, there is no chance of being heard. Speak Up! 

Plenty of Room...Sailor's haven, Fire Island. Okay, so it's a bit cooler now but any weekend during the season it is difficult to find a place to anchor here, let alone tie up in a slip. It's still a beautiful spot that has an even more unique feel to it in the off-season. Friday, in sweatshirts and jackets, we had our pick of spots in the marina and we were fortunate to see deer, hawks and a low flying osprey with a fish in it's talons. Finish the afternoon with a glass of red wine and "snicky-snacks" and it's not such a bad way to spend a clear, cool November day. :-) 

Painting the town red...Some people just know how to party!
The city was in gridlock form yesterday and absoluetly mobbed in anticipation of today's big Marathon Race. The 37,500 estimated runners were in town with family and friends in their entourages. It sure seemed as if they all were milling about Times Square early Saturday evening, the sidewalks were at full capacity.

The senior citizens in this shot were still celebrating the final curtain of George Bernard Shaw's "Heartbreak House" circa 1918. Party on dudes...! :-)

That time of the Season...The boats are coming out of the water on Long Island. Local town slips must be vacated by the 15th of the month or the Harbor Police impound them. I have always wondered about that policy..if the town impounds someone's boat where do they take it? The town marina that they want empty for the winter? Anyway, soon the only boats on the bay will be the ones in private slips.

Upon a closer look at this dingy "For Sale" purists will note that it really is a classic. See "Pete Culler". Clickon the image for larger view.