Registered: 11/02/02
Posts: 7540
Loc: Empire / Venice, La
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!
Fishing is not a matter of life or death. It's more important than that.
Registered: 11/02/02
Posts: 7540
Loc: Empire / Venice, La
Any time after June Mike.
I can still fish all day. When I am anchored up they can not be disturbed while they are working. I don't talk to them only while I am running the boat so I break out the fishing pole and practice. The water in the area has been dirty but the fish will be there in numbers when it cleans up. Lots of 4 & 5 pound trout I hope. A limit of 25 trout with a few in the 4 plus range would be a nice fish cleaning party.
I am still on the water every day and the pay is good.
Fishing is not a matter of life or death. It's more important than that.
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Registered: 11/02/02
Posts: 7540
Loc: Empire / Venice, La
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!
Fishing is not a matter of life or death. It's more important than that.