Revisiting the Gulf Coast

Revisiting the Gulf Coast

The longest I have been away from the Gulf Coast since the Gulf Oil Spill occurred in April 2010 has been from June 19th until now. And last time I re-checked the beaches, where I spent weeks documenting the spill, was April of this year. During my June visit I reconnected to the area in a different way, a playful and spirit-filled-joyous- celebration-of-life way to bring balance to the emotional heaviness that had dominated me as I worked to document the spill and recovery. And now? I’m ready to dig in again and see what’s happening.

During the year after the spill I documented seven areas from Fort Morgan, Alabama to Fort Pickens, Florida. It’s time to once again walk the sandy shoreline and become an observer, a listener and a witness to what is happening.

Many of you have followed my work at the Gulf and so I’d like to give you an opportunity to ask questions you may have about the places I visit. Please submit them in the comments section and I’ll do my best to provide answers.

Here are the places I’ll be visiting:
Fort Morgan, Alabama
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge–Near Gulf Shores, Alabama
Gulf State Park Pier–Gulf Shores, Alabama
Romar Beach–Orange Beach, Alabama
Alabama Point Bridge Area, Gulf State Park at the Alabama-Florida line
Johnson Beach–Perdido Key, Florida
Fort Pickens, Gulf Islands National Seashore–Gulf Breeze, Florida

What would you like to know about these areas? What thoughts do you have about the recovery of these ecosystems? What concerns do you have about the water and seafood safety?

4 Replies to “Revisiting the Gulf Coast”

  1. Thank you for your tireless efforts in documenting this situation. Your reports usually answer my questions before they can be asked! but mostly, is there improvement? How has mother nature sustained this recovery? And finally, how are the residents coping? Much love…many blessings…

  2. Great work, as always, Simone. I’m particularly interested in the state of the beach at Bon Secour. I’m bummed that we didn’t get a chance to go there when I was down with you in April, but I’ve always felt a strong connection to the area through your writing. Are you seeing evidence of ongoing impact that’s visually apparent?

    Thanks for the great work down there!

  3. Nancy, I will do my best to answer your questions from my perspective. I can only share what I see and experience first-hand.

    Brandon, I am visiting that area very soon. The Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is a really amazing place. Next time you’re here I will happily share it with you. I look forward to visiting it and the other areas I’ve documented over the past year. Thanks for your work in educating and informing people on the effects of oil on our planet.

  4. Thanks for more beautiful photos!!!
    The only question I have about the Ft. Morgan & Gulf Shores beaches is if you have seen definite improvement in the entire areas or are there still places that are endangering wildlife??

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