Clean Up, Critters and Cronies

There's a lot that's been going on in L.A. (Lower Alabama, which is not to be confused with those folks out on the West Coast).

Thursday afternoon (June 24), Dad, Mom, and I journeyed over to Gu.lf Shores to check out the beach from the State Pier. There were workers doing what appeared to be some clean up and there were LOTS of boats out in the water, but we couldn't tell that anything was really being done. Just looking at the boom that was being placed on the shoreline--in front of the oil that had already come in--it did not appear that it would do any substantial good. Mom, Dad and I also observed five or six "workers" watching another worker in a front-end loader. All the front-end loader seemed to do was make a bigger mess and bury more oil on the shoreline.

Oil and Workers on the Beach

Clumps of oil on the beach

Black oil specks in the water

Oil Slick off the end of the pier

(Brown area in the water)

Boom staked on the beach in front of the oil

Next, we ventured out onto the pier. We took our time walking the length of it and looked over each side as we meandered toward the end. We saw lots of oil sheen out in the water and even saw big patches of oil off the end of the pier. There were lots of bait fish in the water and pelicans sitting in the water. We even saw a blue crab swimming out there.

Blue Crab

Pelicans out on the Gulf

Around LBF the past week, there has also been an abundance of wildlife moving around. We've seen lots of birds, crabs, a turtle, and, several times we've seen the dolphins. We also have a mocking bird family that has taken up residence in some of our bushes.

The mocking bird family

(The mom is on the topmost branch)

Great Blue Heron in the top of the tree

Great Blue Heron on our dock enjoying his dinner

Crabs all over the rocks

(If you click on the picture, you should be able to see hermit crabs and lots of little black crabs)

Turtle

(This is the first time we've seen one in our harbor)

Another neat thing that happened this week occurred when our across the street neighbors called us. Mr. Hill told us that we had a Great Blue Heron on our roof! The bird stayed up there for at least two hours sleeping and preening and just generally enjoying himself.

On top of the house

(Taken from the dock)

Preening

Still Preening

Posing for the camera

This past weekend, my best friend, Cynthia and her daughter (who also happens to be my god-daughter), Ella, came for a whirlwind visit. Cynthia and I have been friends for 35 years and this was the first time I have seen her since February. We went out to the beach, but didn't stay long because it was REALLY hot! We spent time out by the pool and just generally talking and catching up. It was GREAT to see them and spend time with them.

Ella watches a heron on the dock

S-M-O-O-C-H!

Best Friends!

It's been a busy week, but I'm looking forward to seeing what this coming week holds! Bring on the Fourth of July!