explosions, affluenza and another load of trash

Explosive fireworks are illegal in New York state (for good reason) but for the fourth of july one might (and the police do) stretch a point. So where do Riverheaders go for illegal activities? - Reeves beach, where the police rarely venture (except when they are off-duty).
Last night I filmed these teenagers down near the shipwrecks. They waited until dark and then let loose. The explosions were deafening, and unknown to them they were close to house of a sweet old lady, hidden in the woods above them. It's illegal, it's dangerous and it's extremely inconsiderate of those who like the beach or their homes to be peaceful. They would not do it in their own backyards, so they go to someone else's backyard - someone who evidently wanted to escape the noise of modern life. They can afford pick-up trucks but not an ounce of thought or courtesy. Affluenza.

This morning I picked up their rocket casings, and lots more trash.

the final haul:

Today's Haul

Here's my haul of trash after today's run. Bear in mind I've been picking up trash along this beach for 2 weeks now and have already accumulated 3 large contractor bags' worth. I'm now cleaning the higher parts of the beach, as well as keeping the lower parts trash-free.

 the class of 2017 should be ashamed of themselves:

fishermen left behind these night crawler containers:

nature left this pretty shell

this was high upon the beach

more shells

tire-tracks: vehicles desroy the dunes and much more

more trash

here's the brilliant morning sun

yet more trash

another view

 wildflowers

the good, the bad and the ugly

the good, bad and ugly

Most summer mornings I run a good part of the length of Reeves beach, and then enjoy the reward - the slow walk back - except that on my walk I pick up garbage that accumulated during the day. sometimes it's just a handful of items, and sometimes a whole kitchen bag's worth. I'm now also photographing some of the garbage to show on this blog, but yesterday I also snapped this:

Why a Reeves Beach Blog?

Reeves Beach extends west from Roanoke Point, and includes the Town maintained beach that also goes by that name. For the purposes of this FB page I consider it to run all the way west from Roanoke Point to Oakleigh Avenue, a distance of just over 1 mile.

Here is an extract from the wonderful book "Short Nature Walks on Long Island by Rodney and Priscilla Albright (2001; Publisher: Globe Pequot).

" The town of Riverhead maintains a beach at the end of Roanoke Avenue on Long Island Sound. Off season, there is usually no problem parking, though during summer months a permit is required.... The bluffs on the sound are extremely high, the beach at the tide line quite pebbly with some impressive glacial erratics, and, just west a half mile, strewn with towering ship hulks.... Turn left and walk a couple of hundred yards and you will be alone.

For miles along here the border of high wooded bluffs obscures any houses, and there is a feeling of immense loneliness.... "

not any more - Reeves Beach has been discovered, is for sale, and is being trashed, damaged and abused. On this FB page I document some of the issues, in the hope the beach can be restored to its former glory. But first some of the good, such as this sunset, filmed on june 21 2017 - summer solstice and the latest sunset of the year.