autumn beach

autumn beach, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Atlantic Ocean, Fire Island, Thanksgiving 2008
It feels good even in November!
Air temp was about 45°

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Long Island Duck

Long Island Duck, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

In 1931, duck farmer Martin Maurer built this 20-ft. high, 30-ft. long, concrete applied over a wooden frame to use it as his Riverhead (Flanders) shop. Maurer sold ducks and eggs from this location. When the land was earmarked for development, giant duck preservationists and the Friends for Long Island's Heritage petitioned to save it. The owners donated the Big Duck to Suffolk County in 1987. In 1988 it moved from Flanders to Hampton Bays along Route 24 at the entrance of Sears-Bellow County Park.
It has now moved back to Flanders near the original duck farm. The development was never completed. The shop still operates -- now as a tourism center for the East end of Long Island, selling souvenirs to tourists and city weekend visitors.
Each year, on the first Wednesday in December, the Suffolk County Parks Department sponsors the Annual Holiday Lighting of the Big Duck. This year, that is December 3rd. Visitors join in singing carols and once Santa arrives (transported by the Flanders Fire Department), the switch is flipped and the Big Duck lights up for all to see.

In 1931, duck farmer Martin Maurer built this 20-ft. high, 30-ft. long, concrete over wooden frame "duck" to use it as a Riverhead (Flanders) shop.
Maurer sold ducks and eggs from this location. When the land was sold for development, Giant Duck preservationists and the Friends for Long Island's Heritage petitioned to save the structure which had become a Long Island attraction.
The owners donated the Big Duck to Suffolk County in 1987. In 1988 it moved from Flanders to Hampton Bays along Route 24 at the entrance of Sears-Bellow County Park.
It has now moved back to Flanders near the original duck farm, on Flanders Road.
The housing development was never built.

The shop still operates -- now as a tourism center for the East end of Long Island, selling souvenirs to tourists and New York City weekend visitors.
Each year, on the first Wednesday in December, the Suffolk County Parks Department sponsors the Annual Holiday Lighting of the Big Duck.
This year, it will happen on December 3rd.
Visitors join in singing carols and once Santa arrives, transported by the Flanders Fire Department, the switch is flipped and the Big Duck lights up for all to see.

red berries

red berries, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Berries for autumn

Frank F. Penney, Maritime Museum, West Sayville

From the Long Island Maritime Museum...

"The Frank F. Penney Boatshop was originally built as the laundry building for the old Brooklyn Hotel in Center Moriches. When the hotel burned down, Mr. Penney jumped at the chance to rescue this building for use in his boatyard. This fine old building was floated down the Great South Bay from Moriches to its present site in 1978."
~~~
Today it is the center of the boat building restoration projects.
You can visit the maritime museum in West Sayville:
Monday - Saturday, 10am - 4pm
Sunday, 12noon- 4pm

Location:
86 West Avenue
West Sayville, Long Island, New York 11796
(631) 854-4974,
~~~

Davis Park

Davis Park, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Davis Park, Fire Island in autumnn.

Bayard Cutting Arboretum

Bayard Cutting Arboretum 2, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Bayard Cutting Arboretum, Oakdale, Long Island, NY

Fire Island Autumn

Fire Island Autumn, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Flying over Fire Island, this is east of Watch Hill, part of the National Seashore.

dahlia macro

dahlia macro, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Robert Moses Bridge

Robert Moses Bridge, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Robert Moses Bridge to Fire Island