After working for BP and it all comming to an end I settled down to getting back to fishing. I had my boat redone and was just starting to get into fishing again. The other day I get a call and was asked if I wanted to go back to work. I thought of the 7 days a week in any kind of weather and seas and was reluctant at first. I was assured the regementation of the last year would not be put into place so I just quit fishing AGAIN! Anything for a buck.

I have been hired by a company taking out sientists (SP) on a bird nesting observation project. We go to designated islands each day and try to set up within 20 feet of a designated spot in open water each time. I am in shallow water and some is mud while other areas are oyster beds. Anchoring in a certain spot is tough. The winds have been around 18 kts and the next few days will be above that. I also have to run about 15-25 miles in open water no deeper than 10 feet. Challenging to say the least.

I have a few pictures of some of the nesting areas.



Every bird has a small piece of land and always returns to it's nest. These are brown pelicans and there are about 5 active nests in this picture. They think more will be here in a week or so.



These people know the types of birds and also have to keep tract of the nesting areas. In the above there are brown pellicans, laughing gulls, turns, oyster catchers, green heads, and others.





The above area is the most active with about 35 active brown pellican nests up 5-7 from the last visit. There are also several other types of birds nesting way up in the grass that we are not able to confirm from our vantage point.



The one above and the one below are my favorite nesting areas. The herron, egrets, and pink spoonbill rosettes nest in the mangroves on this island. These are all large and very colorfull birds. I love visiting this area.



As the young hatch they have to be counted and documented. Add a bunch of young to this cluster and you can see why these guys have a job cut out for them.



Life is Good!

Hoop, you gave up fishing to watch birds?
I might have to get back there again and see if we can't get you back on track.

Today I ran 35 miles, as a crow flies, north to a new island. Had to run about 5 miles to the east around a large island before heading directly to it. Still had to didge a few small and partialy submerged islands. The winds were 16 kts with gusts to 24 kts. As I said it is mostly open water traveling in less than 10 feet of water. The chop is very sharp and the waves will build up well.

On the way back we observed our 3 check points on dead man's island. Hard to tell many changes due to the high winds and most birds reluctant to move around.

Happy Easter Y'all!

Life is Good!

Just another variation to add to an already amazing career on the water.

The oysters that DID NOT get the fresh water put over the beds to keep the oil out are good to eat. The oil did not hit the oysters. The beds were killed by the fresh water. Those leases will take several years to rebuild. Our seafood is over tested due to the spill. If you can buy it, it is very safe and good to eat.

You can live here for 50 years and never learn the whole area. Sad thing is we are loosing a lot so there is not as much to learn One thing for sure I can get to many areas in less than an hour or two by water and it will take you 3-5 hours by land. Gulfport or Biloxi 2 hours by water 3 & 1/2 - 4 by land. Grand Isle 45 minutes by water. 3 hours by land.

Pat Always something interesting here. Come to think of it I have had a very interesting life.

Life is Good!