Eds Adventures: It has been a while since an update but every day is filled on the water. We are finding more oiled areas after Alex and most boom was damaged or blown on shore. This week there have been an increase in dead and oiled birds. While it is good news that the oil has stopped spilling, there are 120 million gallons still out in the gulf. BP continues to use dispersant as a " out of sight out of mind" mentality if they can sink it most people will think everything is okay while they will be creating a terrible nightmare on the sea floor where most of the commercial biodiversity is nurtured.
I continue to volunteer for wildlife and fisheries after a lengthy process trying to get hired. I am not sure how much longer I will be staying as there are a few opportunities within the next month and am waiting to here. Probably sometime in early August I will come back to Fl. for a break and see what transpires from there.
It is a rainy morning with lightning this morning so wanted to update the blog with the latest from Grand Isle. We have moved marinas for the third time since May. We had moved into the state wildlife research lab and enforcement building. It was unbelievable to see how state and federal agencies are filled with egos and power. We had about 12 boats and 50 people with captains and state people from all over the country. The facility was new and we had dock space. The research lab folks gave no support and complained about everything we did. In a crisis like that it seems everyone would pull together for the good of the cause. It is their waters we are trying to save and protect.
Many of the wildife people coming here have amazing histories. I have been out with Dave who does eagle banding in Michigan and Bryan who does grizzly bear and black bear and mountain lion tagging in Idaho. There is someone who is doing condor research in Ca. Amazing group of people coming here for 2 week assignments working on the water.
Mark and Mike continue to battle the politics and we have moved to a new marina near the grand isle bridge. Last night i was over to Freddy's place for dinner and see some of the golf. He invited about 10 of the wildlife people including Patti and Emily to come speckled trout fishing off his pier. They were catching all kinds of fish. Yesterday they opened recreational fishing to the area and everyone was so excited to finally get to enjoy their passion. It is such a good things as they people are working long hours with little to do in time off. These groups of people have formed strong bonds and life experiences over the last few months. I have been so blessed to meet good people along the way.
After the state park increased fees to $26 per day I found a new place to put my camper. A friend of Freddy's who has a camper and a lot on the island is letting me stay for cheaper. There is a bus, and two campers and outside shower here. It is a interesting experience and opportunity for growth and to see the reality if peoples lives here still suffering from katrina. Hopefully I can make it for a few more weeks.
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