Another hot day.
Our plan was to fly west to Queen Bess Island, west of the Mississippi River where BP is rumored to be hiding oil-soaked animals, but a storm front prevented us from flying there. We instead decided to go straight for the source.
As soon as we leave the shore, we see oil. The wave crests have a strange texture, and the wind makes abnormal patterns. As a long time sailor, I can see it, and am more aware of it on this second flight. Oil calms the water.
Preparation is so important on these projects.
I have decided to try tapping off my lenses ad nauseam, instead of letting the auto focus work. Hopefully that will allow a faster shoot response time.
The source site is completely different.
We hear that overnight the LMRP was put over the severed pipe, but that only a fraction of the oil is being captured.
We see less oil on the surface, or rather it does not have the same multi-colored sheen. The drill ship is flaring gas, and a tremendous plume of oil seems to start there and extend downwind. It is a different color than anything we have seen before, very brown. There are more planes at the site which makes operation in the area hazardous. At one point a plane passes just below, disconcerting.
The flare is fascinating, and we circle repeatedly. Because of all of the traffic, we cannot go in as close as I would like. The skimmer teams do not seem to be so effective, as the quality of the oil is different. Two days ago the skimmers made a noticeable trail when they passed through the oil, but not today.
More later...
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1 comment:
Awesome we love the pics...amazing what's really going on in big corporate America far away from the eyes of many men.........Thank you for your hard work...your not taken for granite; your the first and only I believe that has such an endeavor...My best old friend told me that life's short .....way too short and to do what you want to in life before it ends....you are blessed and have made your mark in history my friend...
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