October Gulf Coast Summary
The main point I wish to make from my observations here on the Alabama Gulf Coast this past week is this: We must continue to closely observe the wildlife as they are telling the true story of what is happening to the ecosystems here.
On Monday, October 25th, I observed coquina shells in a few small groups near Gulf State Park pier. When I returned on Saturday, October 30th, there were none to be seen.
I observed a willet regurgitate his stomach contents. Upon investigation of the contents of his stomach, there was nothing but pieces of broken shells and mucus. I then saw him eating empty shells in the surf zone. Is he eating shells just to feel full? I observed nothing alive in the surf zone once again. This is a telling part of the ecosystem.
I saw several dead blue crabs again. I opened one up and it had dark grey-black lungs (gills). I saw hundreds sick in the surf zone in August and many, many dead and full of oil on the beach at the wildlife refuge in September.
Tar balls are still very prevalent in the surf zone and this is to be expected for many years to come.
As I reported in my blog from Oct 30th, the gulls are showing evidence of severe foot and leg issues ranging from webbing being eaten away, joint issues, growths on ankles and feet, and legs being withered from the knee down. This is more than one or two birds. They walked in the oil when it washed up on the beach, now they have foot and leg damage. Makes sense to me.
While the water looked much better toward the end of the week, after the high winds and rough seas subsided, there are still dark areas off shore. This one happens to be just offshore from where a very nasty, deep layer of oil washed ashore in Gulf State Park this summer. The theory is that there are sunken patches in shallow water that become stirred up when there is high surf. Thus, the oil became windblown like a few days ago when the entire surface of the sand was light brown and the sea oats had a slick coating of oil particles on them.
What a beautiful day yesterday. The water appeared clear, the sky was beautiful. No oily salt spray was blowing across the beach so I felt a bit more at ease with each inhalation. I understand that people are weary of hearing reports from the Gulf and weary still of ‘bad’ news. Everybody wants to feel good. And let’s face it, hearing more concerns about the environment do not contribute to happy feelings; however, this is not the time to forget or become complacent. And the Gulf is only one part of the global environmental challenge.
In my first video on the spill I said this: You may ask how the Gulf of Mexico oil spill affects you. I say, how does it NOT affect you? That statement still rings true.
No matter where you live, know that many corporations will do whatever they can to turn a profit. They will sacrifice oceans, wildlife, human life…it doesn’t matter. They are only concerned about their bottom line being hefty and black. Educate yourself. Learn what is going on, not only in the Gulf of Mexico, but in your own community.
The only way the world will change is by more people caring and becoming stewards of the earth. Let us walk gently on this beautiful water planet.