Hidden Histories of a Nature Walk

One wouldn't think of a  suburb of New York City, as having an country look or feel to it. The parks and preserves of Long Island are a treasure for all to enjoy. A few wise groups have fought the developers and government to preserve vestiges of the past for the future generations to learn from.

The old Long Island was once home to many estates of millionaires, especially on the coastal shores.
As time went, the masses from the cities moved out to the rural countryside of the island and may have worked for one of these estates.  This was once the Southside Sportsmen Club
Here is a video to explain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1mB-X5qgCE

Westlbrook lake looking north to the highway.

I have hiked and photographed Connetquot State Park in the autumn  but this time the park was more colorful before summer.







I grew up in this area and knew this to be a dairy farm. I'm glad it wasn't developed.



The group I traveled with started out in the Westbrook lake south of sunrise highway.


We came upon high grasses, large growth trees and wonderful lake views.This tree was so wide I couldn't capture all of it.









We walked along a dirt path that brought us to a catwalk under the highway and into the park on the north side.

A stop along the lake once inside the park. This was a great fishing location.

A nice, shady spot to rest along the way. Someone made some benches for the weary.

An old  lodge building overlooking one part of the lake inside the park.



And horse riders are welcome here. there is no stable so you must trailer your horse or ride them in from one of the side entrances if you live around the park.
No bikes are allowed so far.

horses are welcome

The fish hatchery is a vital part of this park and welcomes many anglers.

 I took a last shot of the lodge and mill house across the lake with the swans diving for food before leaving. I think this is a great oasis in a crowded suburbia  that we live in today. 

If you would like to help preserve this beautiful park, then join the Friends of Connetquot soon. www.friendsofconnetquot.org/

A Warm Winters Afternoon Photo shoot on Fire Island

the new boardwalk to the lighthouse

I was going cabin crazy in the middle of February and was waiting for a good snow-free day to walk.
The temperatures were predicted to rise into the low 50's and so I planned my location and took my Nikon along. The newest wide lens addition makes such an interesting look that I use it more than any other now.
Driving to the beach in the middle of a New York winter may sound crazy but I wasn't the only crazy person there.


The Robert Moses causeway leads south over shimmering the Great South Bay, two iron bridges, and onto the beaches.
Its not very far from my home and I didn't realize how much I missed this gem until I moved back to Long Island last year.

new grass on the front of lighthouse

My sights were set on an old standby-the Fire Island lighthouse.
Many photographers, amateur and professional alike, have shot her in every possible angle,weather,and season.


I have photographed her at least three time in the past few years. Once before Hurricane Sandy, a year after the hurricane and now more recently.

many visitors on this warm winter day

The difference in the beach was startling after the big storm washed all the dunes away.
I glad to say that the old girl is unharmed and looking better than ever.

There were many others wandering on the beach, on the newly restored boardwalks and around the lighthouse.

a visitor enjoying the warmth of the winter sun

It's good to see that it is appreciated and well cared for.
To see more images of this day please go to my photography website.

Snowmaggeden 2016

Ok, by now everyone has heard of the big blizzard that hit the Northeast in January of 2016. This was first predicted to be a round 8 inches with a little wind. Well that didn't happen and of course, so we all have something to talk about. I snapped some photos around the neighborhood since the snow had caused cancellations of any hikes I planned.
I always try to see the positive side of any event that is overwhelmingly seem as negative.
There is so much beauty and tranquility in the huge blanket of white that covers the landscape.

We get a chance to see common objects in a different light. They become more noticeable with 6 inches of snow on top. The poor birds couldn't clean themselves in the birdbath and I could get to it .
The snow was too high for the snow blower and my shovels buckled under the weight.
Yep, this was one for the record books and I don' want to have another one this year.

 I watch several squirrels digging frantically under the snow, trying to locate their acorns. The day before they were frolicking around,chasing each other up and down the trees.

 The path out the back door was cut through the snow that I shoveled three times and couldn't keep up with.

It is melting very fast every day and soon will be a distant memory--until the next one.