Has it Really Been so Long?......

I haven't posted in over a month. So sad. But I have been rambling around taking photos all over. At least once a week (usually more) I take my camera out and go in search of interesting stuff. Usually birds and Sunken Meadow State Park is one of my favorite places to go. There are alot of different birds there. This past week I met the newest member of the swan family. Dad was very protective so I didn't want to get too close but Mama was showing off her little cygnet to us.


I've also recently been to the Blue Ridge Mountains in Luray, Virginia. What a beautiful place that was. I am still working on the photos from that trip and that will deserve a post of it's own.


Here's a Black-Crowned Night Heron on the Rock. A very popular perch for waterfowl at Sunken Meadow. A whole flock of Night Heron's come to roost in the trees near the rock every night. What a sight they are. They look like old men in pinstripe suits, don't they?

Croton Gorge Park

Croton Dam
Originally uploaded by roflute
Just a short drive north of New York City is this beautiful waterfall and dam. It is called Croton Dam and it was supposed to enhance NYC's water supply. It's a beautiful stone structure with striking views of the Hudson from the top of the dam.  There are quite a few walking trails in this park along with picnic tables to enjoy a nice lunch with a fantastic view.

Goose Necklace

Goose Necklace
Originally uploaded by roflute
I went to one of my favorite places for nature photography recently now that most of the snow is all melted. Last Friday was a beautiful day and warmer than it's been in quite some time. Sunken Meadow State Park is a beach on Long Island Sound.  There are plenty of paths to walk and a variety of wildlife. I like to go there after work with my camera to see what kind of birds I find to take pictures of. This day I didn't find many birds; perhaps it is too early yet but there were a pair of mergansers, some red-wing blackbirds and of course, gulls, grackles and canada geese. I noticed some geese in the flock had orange bands on their necks. They don't look very comfortable but the geese didn't seem to be bothered by them. A friend on flickr posted a website where people can post where they've seen the birds with these kind of bands. So, in the interest of science, I posted my observation. I also saw a muskrat and was able to capture some nice cloud pictures. All in all a very good day!

Need a Breath of Spring?

Rose Walk in Winter
Originally uploaded by roflute
February is a time when we really start to get tired of all the snow. Melt already, will ya!?! We have had our share of snow on Long Island this winter and it's not over yet I am sure. February is usually a snowy month. We shall see. So yesterday in my quest to escape for a bit from the snow, I spent some time at Planting Fields in Oyster Bay. The camellias are starting to bloom in the old greenhouse. The other greenhouses have flowers upon flowers in bloom all year long. It was so nice to see some color, some life, plants growing and showing off their blooms. One is able to sit among the flowers and just relax.  There is no admission charge right now to get into the arboretum either so it is the perfect time to go.  So if the doldrums of winter have you down, visit an arboretum or a greenhouse for a breath of spring.