North Rd

About a half mile from where I live is the section of town that was once booming with roadside motels and cabins that rented to summer vacationers. Now, all but a hand full are low cost rentals that families live in year round.  This scenic was made right next to one of those places. The families that live here, are the gardeners and maids for the summer folk that come to the Hamptons. They are the laborers the contractors hire on the corner, or in the 7-11 parking lot. 
In winter, you can see this beautiful little lake next to the motel. What an awesome hideaway they have all to themselves.

Lost and Found

Another photo of the Road K artist's work.

Road K

First find at Road K in Hampton Bays.

I wanted to take it home, 

but that wasn't the point of the art.

Pylon reflection

Two days of cold rain have kept me from going out. I made this photo at the Ponquogue Bridge in Hampton Bays. The color of the pylons, the water and the reflection were perfect one morning last week.

Shinnecock Fleet

Part of the fishing fleet at the 

Shinnecock boat basin.

Who knew those captains were so 

color coordinated?

I'm guessing it was blue, white, blue, white day or else I just got lucky.

I've been thinking...

No that's not me. I do most of my thinking as I walk. My legs need to be moving for me to do serious contemplation. Fresh air helps.

I've been thinking about all the turmoil the postal service is going through and about a friendship I made about 15 years ago.

Back in the days of film, I used slide film and Kodak shipped the slides in little Kodak orange boxes. Our mailman at the time, Joe was very concerned about leaving these little boxes in the street mail box and would carry them up our long driveway to the door. Is that personal service or what! Over the ten years we lived in that house I photographed Joe's second wedding, his daughter's wedding and is sister's wedding. We still keep in touch, but now he's behind the counter in a different location and I've moved away. I don't have the same relationship with the new mailman. Maybe Joe spoiled me.

I've always enjoyed getting a letter in the mail. As a child, it was special and fun to run down to the box and collect the mail. It's something I still enjoy.

I feel bad that the post office is not doing well. Here's another industry hurt by modernization, the internet. We don't send letters any longer. And many people pay bills on-line. This may be fine for most of the time, but what about birthday cards, Christmas cards and other holiday cards? Do you have a family tradition with cards? What if there were no longer a postal service? Will we be decorating with e-mailed card?

I'd like to help my fellow men and woman at the post office and send a note to anyone who wants one. I'll start with the folks I know and extend it to anyone who wants to join me. Just e-mail me or post your address and I'll send you a note.

Incredible lightening storm

On the way home from work today, there was an incredible lightening storm. I detoured down to the beach and set up a tripod to make a few photos. 

This is my favorite.

Pura Vida

I came across this old fishing vessel abandoned along the Shinnecock Cannel. When I looked up the translation of Pura Vida I found it was Costa Rican for Pure Life, though it is used to say “Full of life” or “this is living.” Which made me think of something one of the baymen I photographed said to me. We were out on a beautiful summer morning; he was collection crab pots on the Great South Bay and I was photographing him. He looked at the blue sky and said, “it just doesn't get better than this.”

I'm sure this vessel has some stories to tell.

More from the long walk.

Along my Saturday trek from the auto shop to home, I came to Good Ground Antiques. They always change their large windows to match the season and today they were decorated with green items for St. Patricks Day. Hampton Bays hosts a St. Patricks day parade on this very street, so why not go green.

The old soda bottles were on the floor and I just had to make a photo of them. I always love to walk past this place, they have great stuff.