Cloud's illusions

Wow. What in the world is going on with those clouds today? Joni Mitchell would have a field day. They almost look like roads in the sky or maybe fireworks. I did not see any planes that could have made these streams, but I would prefer to think they are made by nature anyway. The Bay was windy and choppy today and the seagulls are just coasting up in the air with no need to even flap their wings. I may go see if the seals are around yet over by the big rock. It's definitely one of the top 10 winter days today!

Desolate day

Smithtown Bay was desolate and dreary. The wind seemed to be coming from the shoreline and pushing back the tide as it was trying to come in. There are flocks of black winter ducks that lie low in the water and try to keep their heads down. I guess it must be duck hunting season. The Bay gave up lots of great sea glass and tiny, perfect shells today.

Hark, the seagulls sing

Christmas morning 2009 is still and gray, but there are some hints of blue sky to the northeast. It is a special treat to see the bay in the day light. Merry Christmas!

Orange Slice

Unfortunately, I have no photo of the amazing natural phenomenon I saw this evening about 10:30 p.m. so you will have to take my word for it. The moon was setting across the bay to the right of the LIPA plant. It was setting just like the sun, but it was an exact quarter moon and as orange as a blood orange. Like some kind of special FX from a film. I have seen giant golden moons rise above the water at night but never something like this. Oh what I wouldn't give to have an astronomer for a boyfriend to explain it all.

Drifting away

I pushed through drifts up to my thighs to get down to the beach this morning. There must be two feet of snow in some places and my summer beach bench is not even visible. Waves were high and choppy, up to five feet. The sky still looks threatening and dark. Now what I wouldn't give for a man with a snow plow...

Before the storm

There's a mystery ship out there in the Bay today, probably hiding out from the incoming snow storm. I can't tell what it is exactly, but in technical nautical/ship building terms, it's short and tall. But of course I was looking at it from an angle. The water is fairly calm, but right at the edge of where the Bay meets the Sound you can see the white caps, as if there were a real dividing line between the two bodies of water. Birds are acting weird today, just like in those disastor movies when right before the big earthquake or tsunami the people in the movie say, "Gee, those birds are sure acting funny." I'll let you know what happens tomorrow.

a gloomy mood day

It wasn't the weather, but today I felt a dark gloom all day, even with the sun out. No one on the beach except a man and his rambunctious dog. The sun now sets so far to the left of the LIPA power plant and in the summer it's all the way over to the right. Is that LIPA plant moving, or what?

Art is every where

After several days of being pummeled by the wind, the Bay was a paradise. Cold, but still a paradise. Mother Nature showed off her talent for making art every where-in the sand, in the rippled waves that move over the sand bars and in the tiny pebbles that are exposed at low tide. A group of young boys, (maybe Scouts?) with their brave parents and backpacks hiked on the shore. I bet they're headed to the Big Rock. The baby mussels have tripled in size. Last night I saw one shooting star and will be out again tonight. Remember the Geminid meteor shower!

Look up! In the sky! It's...

Just when it gets too cold to swim, Mother Nature gives us other cool stuff. The Geminid Meteor Shower will be appearing in our skies now through December 17, but the peak nights for viewing will be December 13 and 14. I figure since it will be below 30 degrees at night I will wait for the “peak” night before schlepping down to the beach at 12:10 a.m. on Dec. 14 (the absolute peak-iest time, according to NASA) with my blanket. The view from Smithtown Bay should be great because there is really very little polluting light in the sky, considering that you are on Long Island. For more information about the meteor shower visit http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/08dec_geminids.htm

In the dark

It's been almost two days since I have been down to the beach because my JOB is getting in the way of my beach guardianship work. The only solution is selling my autobiography for millions so I can just hang out and watch the beach. There's a nice wish for 2010. Meanwhile, I may venture down to the beach in the dark and cold, but I cannot promise any new photos. This one is from the springtime when my friends and I made a Rock Lady. I love the Rock Lady but she only stuck around until high tide.

Okay, now it's cold

This morning a thin veneer of frost was on the staircase down to the beach. A winter blast blew in last night for sure. Even the seagulls were a little sluggish from the cold air. The low tide exposed their breakfast of mussels but most of them seemed to be waiting for something better. There was a flock of ducks but I couldn't get close enough to see what kind. Jeez, they are very shy. I guess when some people shoot at you, you tend to get that way.

One of the 10 best

Who would think a December day could be truly one of the best weather days all year? It was like summer came back for one more kiss before leaving. The beach was still churning this morning with the aftermath of last night's storm. The waves came in orderly, long rows, about 2 feet high. Late in the day the clouds appeared but my friends and I were enjoying our cherry tart cocktails on the beach to notice much. (that's a secret recipe to be revealed only if I have more than three) I have been on vacation this week so I am feeling very fortunate to have caught so many sunsets. Here's tonight's (see photo) There was just enough clear sky on the horizon for the sun to peek out like someone had opened a window just a bit. On Monday when I return to work it will be dark when I get home.

A Zen day

Today the Bay threw in a little bit of everything, starting out this morning with white caps and a cold wind, but by 3:30 p.m. as low tide showed up the water had calmed significantly. I went for the mile hike from my beach to 'the big rock" located somewhere between Crane Neck and Old Field lighthouse. I don't know if the rock has an official name but it's known as the Big Rock at my house. It looks its best bathed in the low light of a sunset and it's orange and gold hues sparkle. It's like a giant crystal left behind by a glacier (before my time) and it can be seen from miles away. I read that way back an Irish resident of Old Field had painted a giant Shamrock on it, but that has since been covered up with paint. I would send that guy out there with a toothbrush and some paint remover if it were up to me. On the walk there the beach changes into something resembling Montauk Point more than the North Shore with lots of large boulders. This is where the seals hang out in the winter months and I have been lucky enough to see them several times. On the return trip the setting sun and the almost-full moon shared the sky for a while, the moon in the east and sun in the west (that's left of the LIPA plant, isn't that poetic?)

Sunday's afternoon low tide exposed all the baby mussel beds. Not really sure how mussels are born and grow. What do you call the tiny, immature ones? There are millions of little mussels along the bay which I suppose is a good sign that Smithtown Bay is healthy. I purchased a used kayak this weekend and I am still waiting to get a paddle and life vest before venturing out. Something tells me the kayak will perform better if I have a paddle. I think my hands would get tired.

November 27 was an ideal day for fearless windsurfers. I witnessed this one guy get about 100 feet between himself and the water below. He was amazing. The swells on the Bay must have been about 4 - 5 feet today, although this is not an official estimate, just my unnautical eye.

Low tide. Thanksgiving morning the Bay is calm and the water smooth like a blanket. Some seagulls were having a feeding frenzy over by Crane Neck point. Wonder what they were eating? The sun almost came out and there was a small group of people down at West Meadow. I am thinking of buying a used kayak this weekend so I am excited about actually getting out on the water. Always wanted to head over to the Eaton's Neck lighthouse to see it up close. Have a great holiday!

Smithtown Bay Guardian

I often feel like I am the unofficial guardian of Smithtown Bay. I live in Old Field on the Bay and I love watching it change each day. Every day is something new and always beautiful in its own way. So I thought, maybe other people who live in the area would like to know what's going on in the Bay. Call it our own little local Baywatch. Without the bikinis. I saw dophins this summer in the Bay and last week a loon. I'll describe the water, weather and tides in unofficial language. And don't get me started on horseshoe crabs! I wrote a whole story this summer about them and I will link it as soon as I figure that out. So I'll see you down there on the beach with the best rocks in the world.