Rowboats on Blydenburgh Lake

Photograph by Rod Richardson 

These rowboats once floated across the tranquil surface of Blydenburgh Lake in Suffolk County, NY — captured here, either awaiting their next outing or quietly entering the off-season. I visited the park with my daughter about ten years ago, retracing childhood steps not far from where I grew up. The gentle ripples of the water, the scent of pine from the surrounding woods, and the soft call of birds created a sense of timeless calm.

In August 2024, a catastrophic storm dropped over ten inches of rain on the region. The resulting flood caused the dam to collapse, draining the lake and forever changing the landscape. What was once a place of quiet reflection is now an empty basin — yet even in this loss, there is a certain beauty in the textures of exposed earth, scattered logs, and the ghostly echoes of still water.

When I photographed this scene, I sought to frame the rowboats as anchors to memory — small, steadfast objects against a backdrop of change. Early morning light highlighted their weathered wood and soft reflections, capturing the intimacy of a place that feels both personal and historic.

This image now stands as a quiet testament to what once was — a pause in time, a reflection on memory, and the enduring beauty of Long Island’s landscapes. For collectors, it is available as a fine art print in both open and limited editions, offering a way to bring a piece of this history into your home.