Bird nations at the Duck Pond

Multitudes of seagulls hang out here. Floating in the background are Mallard ducks and Canada Geese

some of whom have a one-legged (resting) spell.

There are a few pigeons of mixed ancestry

and a preening swan or two

At the beach

This fellow was just finishing an afternoon of wind surfing at West Meadow Beach. Today was crystal clear with the kind of sunshine that seems to pour honey over everything. I took these pictures at 4:20.The temperature was about forty but seemed colder with the brisk wind. There's always someone enjoying the beach, even on December 30th.

Pasta Pasta

Yes yes, good good Italian restaurant. Located on East Main Street in Port Jefferson right across from the Post Office.

Visiting flamingos

The kids at All Soul's Mill Pond Preschool decorated this tree, one of a dozen in front of the post office. I don't know who won the contest, but this was my favorite. I think any flamingos choosing to spend the winter here deserve a medal (note the two on top).

The Carriage Shed

It's not your imagination--That roof really does have a curve. This is the Caroline Church's carriage shed which faces the Setauket Green. It was built around 1878 to house churchgoers' horses and carriages. The Caroline Church itself (organized 1723) will be the subject of a future post.

(Sorry about those spots; I'm still learning how to use a camera.)

Low tide, Stony Brook Harbor

As it looked in October at high tide

The same area on Dec. 22nd. The moving water has shrunk to a small stream that ducks still find their way through.

Golden shrub

I took these photos a few days ago in Setauket before all the snow. I've never seen such a huge shrub in that color. Which direction is it travelling, into the street or toward the gazebo to swallow it up?

Snowy morning photo

Mug is ten years old, muffin fresh.

Swordfish

On the wall at Setauket Seafood


Can you identify? Swordfish, striped bass....umm

Setauket Seafood

Quite simply the nicest people selling the best seafood on Long Island. The salmon is so fresh it melts in your mouth. They are located on 25A in the same shopping center as Mario's.

Who's minding the shop?

Not a soul in sight in this shoe store on Main Street, PJ, at 5:30 PM. The only moving thing was the figure on the TV screen. Kinda spooky.

New trail

If you drive down Gnarled Hollow Road you will cross the new trail that has been constructed for walkers, bikers and others (no motorized vehicles). Looks finished to me, but it's not open yet. Can't wait to try it out. This is part of the Greenway that will stretch for three miles between Setauket and Port Jefferson Station. For the history of this project click here

For information on mountain bike trails on Long Island click here

Oh yeah?

" My daddy's cart can lick your daddy's cart!!"
The eternal battle of Us against Them, played out in front of King Kullen in E. Setauket.

Update: PJ Tax Office Building

On our 11/28 post we showed renovation work in progress. Happily that is finished, and the building looks great. How charming--they have retained the old bank doors! Wonder what the new use of the building will be?

Getting the tree

This farm stand on Pond Path was doing a brisk business in Christmas trees today. Pix taken just as the sun was slipping below the tree line.

Car lights in the rain

Yes, yes, I know, this could be anywhere--It's 25A west just before the Nichols Rd. light--but circumstances have kept me from taking any decent photos this week

and I'm not trying to imitate Jackson Pollock.

Christmas lights and ... who is that?

Oh my, Santa's already on the roof of this restaurant on Main St., Port Jefferson--but is there a chimney for him to come down?

Service Station

There has been a service station on this spot in Old Stony Brook for over 65 years. Until recently the gas prices have been significantly higher than other stations in the Three Village area, but I'm glad to report they are now in line with reality. Perhaps because Hercules is just across the street keeping an eye on things?

Why I Take my Camera Everywhere

On the way to work this morning I found myself following this vehicle. I've sort of wondered what they are driving these days. PT Cruiser, eh? This was on 347 near the County Offices. Nice sense of humor.

I couldn't have taken a worse picture

...but it's only partly my fault. The building is all angles. I took this in poor light, aiming through a dirty windshield (parking's a big problem at SUNY) at a building I do not like even without that silver slinky on top. What a pity because inside it is so interesting, so 21st Century, with a restaurant and a waterfall and sculpture, and I love to go there. Where? The Charles B.Wang Center at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Here's more info.

"Green grass"

The new park in Mt. Sinai has several ballfields, a playground for kids, and a long circular walking path. I couldn't believe the grass could really be this green in December so I examined it up close. Right, it's plastic. Looks nice from afar and maybe sometimes that is enough.

Caught

We all feel caught these days, tied up in knots like that flag. Don't you think the greenery looks depressed?

Suffolk County Water Authority on the job

Why the Water Authority was digging near a cemetary I do not know. The sign on the truck says something about the controversy of bottled water vs. tap water. I wonder which side they're on? The cemetary belongs to the Setauket Presbyterian Church.

Melville Pond

Right next to the Setauket Post Office (yesterday's post) is the Frank Melville Memorial Park, built in 1937. Click here for more information about the park. Always beautiful, even in winter.

Setauket Post Office

Built in 1941 in the Greek Revival style, this charming little post office sits right next to Melville Park where you can get your exercise walking around the pond as you enjoy the beauties of nature. Though it looks white here, the recent painting was a lovely cream color that goes well with the dark green shutters and the gold insignia. The roof is brand new.

December roses

Across from the Stony Brook Yacht Club roses still bloom in a place that is sheltered from the wind.

Circles

"Did you see the movie?" "No, but I did see the trailer."

Moss

New paving stones everywhere, yet the occasional strip of moss survives. How long before the landscapers scour it away? Taken at ... no, I'm not going to say.

Whatever you say

"This nursery is closed for the season!" he is saying. A message conveyed to the world on Rte 25A in E. Setauket. To get the picture I had to wait my chance, then leap into the street, then leap back as the cars whizzed by.

The Old Brookhaven Tax Office in PJ

Shrouded in mystery some renovations are going on at the corner of Main Street and East Main Street. Hope they don't change the look of this landmark, which was originally the First National Bank of Port Jefferson, built in 1900.

Globalization in PJ

Visible on a building on Main Street, Port Jefferson, right next to The Gap. Let's see, we can send our money shooting straight over to Asia through these tubes? Is that how it works? Or is this where you get a pussy cat? Can only firemen get a pussy cat? Will someone please explain this to me.

Congratulations

The Masonic Temple on Main Street, Port Jefferson, has been spiffed up. I've been rattling around PJ since 1969 and can't remember a time when this building looked so handsome. Well done!

Avalon Park

I took these pictures in mid-October and posted them on my other blog. Thought they might be nice to look at again since our landscape is so dreary right now. I took them at the overlook where the bench is. This park is a wonderful place to walk and watch birds at any time of the year.