Long Island, New York as a whole is often referred to as a bedroom community of New York City. But, Long Island is much more than that. It is a fish-shaped island that sits in the Atlantic Ocean and is connected to Manhattan by several bridges and tunnels. It was once inhabited by American Indians and as the years passed much of it was turned into farm land and ship building communities by the European settlers. It played a part in the American Revolution and in WWII. Eventually, the farms and shipbuilding communities dwindled while suburban homes and towns grew up throughout the island. Because it is an island surrounded by water it has a vast and beautiful coastline. Although now a very cosmopolitan area to this day Long Island is still filled with natural beauty of all types. It is my beloved home. To enlarge a photo just click on it. And, here is my little corner of Long Island....

Sunday, June 26, 2011

A HAZY LATE JUNE SATURDAY AFTERNOON STROLL

After a week of rain the sun was finally trying to come out this afternoon.  So, I headed for the beautiful Stony Brook Harbor area and snapped these photos...




Stony Brook Yacht Club At Stony Brook Harbor


Mill Pond Creek Feeding Into The Harbor


Stony Brook Mill Pond


A Homeowner's Garden Adjacent To Mill Pond


Part of Stony Brook Village Green
(If only I could have captured the sound of the little waterfall.)



And last but not least, I saw something this afternoon that I've only seen twice in my life, a fairy ring...


Stony Brook Harbor Fairy Ring
(For those who don't know what a fairy ring is, it is a string of mushrooms that grow in a circle and disappear as quickly as they appeared.)



Wednesday, June 22, 2011

FUTURE MEN & WOMEN OF LONG ISLAND

These are some of my very favorite Long Island creations of nature, two of my grandchildren and their friends.  




This is my granddaughter Alexandra, on the right, with her young friend, Sophia.  At four years old they already look like classic Long Island women in the making...  


Girl Talk On The Beach




And the guys, my grandson Jonathan on the left with his cousin, Mark, and his friend, Robert, preparing for the big leagues...


Go Yankees!






Alexandra




Jonathan




And, yes, we can even get tough here on Long Island if we have to...



Yo-Yo-Yo!





A DAY TRIP TO SOUTHAMPTON, NEW YORK

Southampton, NY is a beautiful town on the eastern end of Long Island on what is called the South Fork and is located in the world famous summer vacation spot, "The Hamptons".  It's a place well known for summer vacationing, great wealth, and summer mansions inhabited by some of the world's richest and most famous people.  The basis of it's beauty would most likely be considered it's glorious Atlantic Ocean coastline, vast white sand dune beaches and it's special atmospheric lighting made famous by the renown artist, William Merritt Chase and his followers.  I'm thinking a bit more along cosmopolitan lines today, however, and am devoting this post  to the beautiful Village of Southampton and it's flower filled shopping area, Job's Lane and Main Street.




WELCOME TO THE VILLAGE OF SOUTHAMPTON, NY...



Southampton Village Park With Lake Agawam In The Distance





SIDEWALK PLANTERS...



A Main Street Planter Filled With Hydrangea 


And Another Of The Same


Main Street Outdoor Restaurant Planter




STREET SIDE AND WINDOW BOXES...




Jobs Lane Shoppe Window




Street Side Flower Box Close Up


These Flower Boxes Are Plentiful Throughout The Town


Even The Parking Lots Have Well Kept Floral Gardens



A FEW STORE FRONTS AND SHOPPE WINDOWS...


Jobs Lane Piazza Shoppe


Jobs Lane's Plant Shoppe


Jobs Lane Shoppe


Jobs Lane Shoppe Window


A Favorite Hampton's Pastime, Outdoor Street Dining




OH DEAR, I'VE LOST MY HEAD!

Only the very wealthy can afford to shop in The Hamptons and only the very fashion conscious do.  And when they do, according to their husbands, sometimes they simply lose their heads...












:-)


Tuesday, June 21, 2011

TREES, I LOVE TREES

I love trees of all kinds and in all seasons, but there's nothing like a leafed tree in summertime.  It's sound in a breeze, the cool shade it provides, the dappled sunshine below it, and it's verdant colors all provide extreme pleasure to the senses.  Much has been written about trees and so I'll simply honor them in pictures...


Sassafras Trees In Lake Grove Walking Park On Pond Path in Lake Grove, NY


A Patch of Sunlight Came In Through The Tall Trees To Catch This Sassafras Sapling


(This Photo Is All About The Vine)
Trees And Red Barn, Melville Park, Setauket, NY




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I love the textures and colors of the bark, and in some cases the sculptural shapes, of tree trunks.  The following recent photographs  show some of these features.







These huge trees pictured above are located around the pond in Frank Melville Park, Setauket, NY and feel like old friends.  Many a couple have carved their initials in their bark throughout the past decades.  Sadly, they are now beginning to hollow out and die.  Huge limbs break off during the Nor'easters we occasionally have here on Long Island.  The tree above suffered damage during the rough winter of 2010/2011.


God Creates Another Colorful Sculpture
Melville Park Woods, Setauket, NY




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Vines are prolific on Long Island.  There are places where you can no longer see the trees under the vines.  The following two tree trunks are cohabiting with their vines nicely, however.


Ivy Vine, Bates House, Melville Park, Setauket, NY


Ivy Vine, Mills Pond House, Smithtown, NY


This Is A Great Example Of What A Vine Can Do To A Tree.
Mills Pond House, Smithtown, NY


Sunday, June 19, 2011

FLORAL CLASSICS FOR FATHER'S DAY

Today is Father's Day, 2011.  Here I celebrate this special day dedicated to all Dads with a few old time floral bush favorites; all of which grew in the yard of my childhood home where I was loved by my very special Dad.



The Pond at Frank Melville Park in Setauket, NY
Where These Recent Photos Were Taken



Mountain Laurel, Abundant In This Area Of Long Island



The Beautiful Weigela Bush



Honeysuckle



The Fragrant Mock Orange



 And, What Father's Day Is All About On Long Island, Family



AGAIN I BEGIN A BLOG...

As blogs go this is the beginning post of "A Long Island Summer In Pictures", but it will wind up being at the end of the blog as it is viewed.  So, with these few spring photos I'll say both hello and goodbye.  God willing there will be many more beautiful posts to come in this blog before it truly ends, however.  

Speaking of God I'd like to thank Him, The Great Creator,  for the beauty He sets before me each and every day,  for my healthy eyes to see it and for the way it always fills my soul.  My hope is that viewing these photos has given your day at least a few moments of pleasure, peace and enjoyment, as well.  God Bless.   ~Judi 



Rhododendron, Frank Melville Park, Setauket, NY



Iris, Frank Melville Park, Setauket, NY



Petunia Bouquet,  My Kitchen Window Sill