tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113875052024-03-19T04:09:01.146-05:00Kayaking the Mobile-Tensaw River DeltaA photo journal documenting kayak trips throughout the Southeast.Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.comBlogger679125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11387505.post-37172477302315420582016-07-21T10:03:00.001-05:002016-07-21T10:05:13.866-05:00Mobile Waterway Blues<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAjXHshGbGxwCHLArt-f5T5ulj-J6ARxsqpsv94Wg8feRy1hmZ1M1nzWwiNkcxbUdpUYyXpSIJBavIa54Xa-weg6EO-r7csY3w-_FgVro6iYVX6g5LqTmUCvjnCHijCFssTr4/s640/blogger-image--564026705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAjXHshGbGxwCHLArt-f5T5ulj-J6ARxsqpsv94Wg8feRy1hmZ1M1nzWwiNkcxbUdpUYyXpSIJBavIa54Xa-weg6EO-r7csY3w-_FgVro6iYVX6g5LqTmUCvjnCHijCFssTr4/s640/blogger-image--564026705.jpg"></a><div>This is what kayaking in Mobile's Trashy urban waterways is like. Sadly, this is after 5 years of filing complaints about the City's waterway trash pollution problem to the City of Mobile and to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJbdGuJtACP_OA6V4eYRKP681-NPT1RFhPqGrbMazbD0chmEMTD-VUqyLygkADA5gWj3iTQWBGua8yVES9VNj12wQnXH-DzKN4bqW_HuR1XohxhqSTFwk2OPZj5N6qo3VpoUY/s640/blogger-image-1959944046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJbdGuJtACP_OA6V4eYRKP681-NPT1RFhPqGrbMazbD0chmEMTD-VUqyLygkADA5gWj3iTQWBGua8yVES9VNj12wQnXH-DzKN4bqW_HuR1XohxhqSTFwk2OPZj5N6qo3VpoUY/s640/blogger-image-1959944046.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Insanely, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) sets no limit on the amount of litter and industrial trash that a community puts into its public waterways.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You heard right. In Alabama if the surface of a public waterway is completely covered with trash (some of the trash toxic), ADEM does NOT consider the waterway to be polluted. That is retarded.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfz2Eiwr4waWgl8pvDsp4pwI8RntlPHvIYZcI6k9Ghy4P6ySqWmId4xO0CsuAgTck2hsAPbLztdVVpZNQvZqFSmyro3bjrUMwj5z9_FJKn3jJE2TW-vOHdCliXcJJe2kYQXDq/s640/blogger-image-1872402612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfz2Eiwr4waWgl8pvDsp4pwI8RntlPHvIYZcI6k9Ghy4P6ySqWmId4xO0CsuAgTck2hsAPbLztdVVpZNQvZqFSmyro3bjrUMwj5z9_FJKn3jJE2TW-vOHdCliXcJJe2kYQXDq/s640/blogger-image-1872402612.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Even though technology, growing at a leaps and bounds pace, is making life easier, the level of human intelligence continues to spiral downward just as fast.</div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11387505.post-54190250913465168932016-07-19T17:39:00.001-05:002016-07-19T17:39:14.460-05:00Coating Earth With Plastic<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GMbm8sH8e8vYilu8HXQpq81QJq1vDfrH0HZehIz_r13ypQV2XFQO4ZX9ChlFfdOp1Drs9FnWwXN6Czo3M31qKWnjWPeqDM7sAjM5zLVt-XbVMQlnz4CPaBSkvMwmzec-xXT-/s640/blogger-image-1629989351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GMbm8sH8e8vYilu8HXQpq81QJq1vDfrH0HZehIz_r13ypQV2XFQO4ZX9ChlFfdOp1Drs9FnWwXN6Czo3M31qKWnjWPeqDM7sAjM5zLVt-XbVMQlnz4CPaBSkvMwmzec-xXT-/s640/blogger-image-1629989351.jpg"></a><div>Coating the public waterways and shorelines in Mobile with Plastic.</div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11387505.post-31810079317766434632016-07-17T07:58:00.001-05:002016-07-17T08:03:45.811-05:00Maple Street Canal<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnsKdJAL5kj5lpaRgtrktYpBjTrnp0qx8Fv0OhBMe_fop-NJH7aRd87zfgWxV3jEFbHKpSCrm3nIe8W5N0Yb7fPEDxebvHC30c5pnMm5jcKbj6tkL4ZYv10mKNn4_FT3KjpI9/s640/blogger-image-1744380096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnsKdJAL5kj5lpaRgtrktYpBjTrnp0qx8Fv0OhBMe_fop-NJH7aRd87zfgWxV3jEFbHKpSCrm3nIe8W5N0Yb7fPEDxebvHC30c5pnMm5jcKbj6tkL4ZYv10mKNn4_FT3KjpI9/s640/blogger-image-1744380096.jpg"></a><div>After almost 5 years of filing complaints to Environmental Enforcement Agencies about the trash pollution in Maple Street Canal, how is the Canal looking today? The only change is the trash pollution is denser. That is unacceptable.</div><div><br></div><div>Americans, at least most of the ones in Alabama, obviously do not give a damn about the integrity of their marine environments. Alabama leaders should be arrested for ignoring waterway pollution complaints and sent to Jail beginning with ADEM's Water Division Chief Glenda Dean and Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson.</div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11387505.post-78631390734548314092016-07-05T10:27:00.001-05:002016-07-06T17:49:05.341-05:00Mobile River Access?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8grbFZVhQW3JJQRFbJc9-AxFsz6MXho_A-wlj0kszd6DByHtXjCVsZdmUG37XOoWxSH_WBbwwjymEASrkZqFmUir-BFwjuPYzEG3CUcyJNX1GYOoLagDUV-NdDr_dYW9I222/s640/blogger-image--1530152284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8grbFZVhQW3JJQRFbJc9-AxFsz6MXho_A-wlj0kszd6DByHtXjCVsZdmUG37XOoWxSH_WBbwwjymEASrkZqFmUir-BFwjuPYzEG3CUcyJNX1GYOoLagDUV-NdDr_dYW9I222/s640/blogger-image--1530152284.jpg"></b></a><div><b>Newly poured concrete of a boat ramp at the Mobile Convention Center. Public Boater access to Mobile River in downtown Mobile has been non-existent up until now. The Mobile City Council apparently saw fit to approve this boat ramp at the Convention Center by a parking area that is usually empty. I have long said the small unused always trashy shoreline at the Convention Center was a wasted City waterfront asset.</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>The BIG question is whether this new boat ramp will be open for public use or whether this boat ramp on City of Mobile property is strictly for the use of Duck Tour boats... If the public is not allowed to use the boat ramp the Mobile Convention Center shoreline will continue to be a wasted waterfront asset. [Update: A City official confirmed the new boat ramp is NOT allowed to be used by the Public.]</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Speaking of Duck Tour boats, it will be interesting to see if Duck Tour Boat use in Mobile will be successful. In Boston, Duck Tour boats (amphibious vehicles that operate both on land and in the water) operate in the sheltered area of the Charles River meaning pretty smooth rides.</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Duck Tour Boats in Mobile will be operating between Battleship Park and the Convention Center. I assume the Duck Tour boats will be going around Choctaw Point to get up into Mobile River. That is an area often quite choppy due to the interaction of water current in Mobile River meeting typical winds out of the south being channeled up into Mobile River.</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Plus, barges and boats sometimes leave sizeable wakes in Mobile River. Since the shoreline of most of Mobile River in the downtown area is bulkheaded, wake waves reflect off bulkheads and each other causing quite a washboard like chop at times. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>From what I have read, the freeboard on Duck Tour Boats can be as little as a foot high. In that case, high waves can come crashing into the boat soaking people. Can large amounts of water crashing inside a Duck Tour boat sink it?</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Plus I read where Duck Tour Boats are slow boats barely able to do 5 mph. The water Current coming down Mobile River can be as strong as several mph after heavy upstream rains meaning it could be tough for the Duck Tour boats to even go up Mobile River.</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>My pessimism predicts the soon to open Duck Tour Boat venture in Mobile will have some disasterous times ahead. Or it will be a money losing venture as people write bad reviews. Who wants to wait for 20 minutes for a parked train to move in order for the Duck Boat to get into downtown Mobile to do its land based tour? To be continued...</b></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11387505.post-17238190633487454392016-07-03T08:46:00.001-05:002016-07-03T09:16:51.319-05:00Arlington Park Kayak Launch<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUq5IwiGXZDxnZ3ANwH7NYfRBuu34Lmj_qfTUBhMFAnDdxY3xWUodfsGbXmSE_AvhOAQBR2kcQqv22rXMWvPTVszT20daYGEN_e4bPazMVAcLQ0Pf6znbXvLZxucR2Ttaat2x/s640/blogger-image--1060027291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUq5IwiGXZDxnZ3ANwH7NYfRBuu34Lmj_qfTUBhMFAnDdxY3xWUodfsGbXmSE_AvhOAQBR2kcQqv22rXMWvPTVszT20daYGEN_e4bPazMVAcLQ0Pf6znbXvLZxucR2Ttaat2x/s640/blogger-image--1060027291.jpg"></b></a><div><b>First problem with this Engineer designed ADA accessible ramp to the Kayak launch at Arlington Park in Mobile is a narrow 90 degree turn on a boardwalk that has high sides. Two people carrying their kayak by typical handles cannot get the kayak to the launch without hoisting the kayak above their shoulders.<br><br></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVksYMO28keSce9zJ7Uk2v2lLZmrocRDNvk8a-D0ucvlgSNZ5MMwf4GLgMLYmMlEvR8AQ2eatMblU4lE75mY0gdPHWQD8O4FicKrLWmYRlZG9p2TNGE7hAO1oJFOOjVEkKEMUy/s640/blogger-image-77728803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVksYMO28keSce9zJ7Uk2v2lLZmrocRDNvk8a-D0ucvlgSNZ5MMwf4GLgMLYmMlEvR8AQ2eatMblU4lE75mY0gdPHWQD8O4FicKrLWmYRlZG9p2TNGE7hAO1oJFOOjVEkKEMUy/s640/blogger-image-77728803.jpg"></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>After making the frustrating difficult first turn this girl drags her Kayak down the ramp only to face dealing with 2 more difficult turns, both of these 180 degree turns. </b></div><b><br></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYHXt6ML9e0oKKNX6wRGxS1QkUe2JbDxIegneF41X8gBA3TkIVorGB47l0tDVvWF-G6wfTRdh0gaH5dr24mCIWtPYQFB-k82GUbdxoIBVChW95n0YVLvPCt2xV9EY7YO9VC8R/s640/blogger-image-1716848357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYHXt6ML9e0oKKNX6wRGxS1QkUe2JbDxIegneF41X8gBA3TkIVorGB47l0tDVvWF-G6wfTRdh0gaH5dr24mCIWtPYQFB-k82GUbdxoIBVChW95n0YVLvPCt2xV9EY7YO9VC8R/s640/blogger-image-1716848357.jpg"></b></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>She struggles in the 100+ degree heat index temp to hoist her kayak above the railing in order to get past the first 180 degree turn.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>What should have been a quick 2-3 minute drag of her Kayak down the 100 yard ramp to the Kayak launch platform turned into a 20 minute nightmare for this girl. I helped her move her kayak the rest of the way which proved to be even difficult for two people. She could not believe the stupidity of the ramp design. She is right.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>It is bad enough that the stupid ass engineer never considered normal transport methods of kayaks in the design of the ramp to the kayak launch. Using kayak handles or a kayak dolly are both normal methods of moving a kayak. This stupid ramp does not allow the use of either normal kayak movement method.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>What is even worse is the engineer and authorities know this kayak ramp is poorly designed and downright dangerous but have never fixed the flaws. All that is needed is a secondary ramp without high sides following the ground contour to the platform. Until that happens k<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">ayakers will continue to struggle when launching at Arlington Park.</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b><br></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b>Someone is eventually going to get severely injured or die from a heart attack using this ridiculous kayaker unfriendly public kayak launch. I hope anyone that gets hurt sues the hell out of the engineering firm and the park owner (City of Mobile).</b></span></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11387505.post-60767798290115804822016-06-11T20:28:00.001-05:002016-06-11T20:29:44.218-05:00MS State Games<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhico37wmeNv_sQ_yPB37a6lTuIBJ9LLC43Cv7P80DWfYa7upphYyVXMOHT92sV-yYC1BkhHf-QHtD08f8POKuvP2Xr_g9aOjuktfyGzybDkrz-GRjeAynldx4DAzIITjok-Tvx/s640/blogger-image--1804735812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhico37wmeNv_sQ_yPB37a6lTuIBJ9LLC43Cv7P80DWfYa7upphYyVXMOHT92sV-yYC1BkhHf-QHtD08f8POKuvP2Xr_g9aOjuktfyGzybDkrz-GRjeAynldx4DAzIITjok-Tvx/s640/blogger-image--1804735812.jpg"></a><div>Mississippi State Games Kayak Races were held in Bernard Bayou in the far upper end of Biloxi Bay. Hot and humid today.<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5B-hXq3KzGA-zmhz74K9Hw-TiFf22JaUc1FJqiJoEujtLWAi2CD5GZxT3bfhetFV7OiOYLAphQE09zi0dA0ziVduCRARkaRQRlRzZh3ZnWBk8rpjQqi_lAWxNVlGi7RSyKY-/s640/blogger-image--741272507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5B-hXq3KzGA-zmhz74K9Hw-TiFf22JaUc1FJqiJoEujtLWAi2CD5GZxT3bfhetFV7OiOYLAphQE09zi0dA0ziVduCRARkaRQRlRzZh3ZnWBk8rpjQqi_lAWxNVlGi7RSyKY-/s640/blogger-image--741272507.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Participants launched on a sandy beach at The Dock Gulfport. </div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArgFFHMI1EWhZgQ-6pw5ZHRF_QWIYRnLTX9pn9EliaGumXQ865kAkI7cisQmFiaeQfeAHLEVP4I6ocySd_EAfr8U21lwRfpi1mg3r2Q6jae2qnBWS3skeI_efQ7XjpygVm8BC/s640/blogger-image-2138185708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArgFFHMI1EWhZgQ-6pw5ZHRF_QWIYRnLTX9pn9EliaGumXQ865kAkI7cisQmFiaeQfeAHLEVP4I6ocySd_EAfr8U21lwRfpi1mg3r2Q6jae2qnBWS3skeI_efQ7XjpygVm8BC/s640/blogger-image-2138185708.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There had to have been more Stand Up Paddlers (SUPs) racing than kayakers.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJeNY8KSf4TfxrEvH7UlX_L9fkqm7qx1u8qOLniQaCCcjpYmg90dKSELEB84Tgb3B6NOokSrv7x-fhnBzPumeMwRBAb9QULbJ4vhnG1a0eDYC1Mcv25BedSbmFfmx9A7bLo27/s640/blogger-image-1870405965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJeNY8KSf4TfxrEvH7UlX_L9fkqm7qx1u8qOLniQaCCcjpYmg90dKSELEB84Tgb3B6NOokSrv7x-fhnBzPumeMwRBAb9QULbJ4vhnG1a0eDYC1Mcv25BedSbmFfmx9A7bLo27/s640/blogger-image-1870405965.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I raced in the 1-mile sprint and the longer 6-mile race winning both in my division. Here are the nice medal ribbon awards.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">How can I race a kayak in the Mississippi State Games even though I live in Alabama? Alabama State Games has no kayak races so Mississippi allows people from Alabama to participate in their State Game kayak races. Alabama Sucks.</div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11387505.post-30460328545916635852016-06-03T08:17:00.001-05:002016-06-03T08:17:14.704-05:00Gilliard Island Rookery<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJo62zT-78cL6ZO4G8XN4j8ff5IPH36rUTIfHRo5dNusF5b2b12clqnOhbwbO_3jr07VnO1BadPhYVscbbhd57NdIXoGVUcdObWgkwUJ9TFldnfDJzp6VTufkeFzpjVKCXsf5/s640/blogger-image-366056785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJo62zT-78cL6ZO4G8XN4j8ff5IPH36rUTIfHRo5dNusF5b2b12clqnOhbwbO_3jr07VnO1BadPhYVscbbhd57NdIXoGVUcdObWgkwUJ9TFldnfDJzp6VTufkeFzpjVKCXsf5/s640/blogger-image-366056785.jpg"></a><div>Gilliard Island is a dredge spoil site about 6 miles around that is home to a high number of birds. These are some Terns and Black Skimmers.<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_0rCTviu3rAdKnNgo52h2n4JdVHB2egs-iAUYv1qngITDpHZaHsa9DMVcceyEQbvbLNpl31cbaSg2RdagUoLoL807LHKhnrWbkuxFUqQ9t8H1NxTyI37s7Eppb1b6rDs6Dlf/s640/blogger-image--1330335929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_0rCTviu3rAdKnNgo52h2n4JdVHB2egs-iAUYv1qngITDpHZaHsa9DMVcceyEQbvbLNpl31cbaSg2RdagUoLoL807LHKhnrWbkuxFUqQ9t8H1NxTyI37s7Eppb1b6rDs6Dlf/s640/blogger-image--1330335929.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This island that is off limits to the public, is actually great place to kayak around in June bcause Thousands of Brown Pelicans are nesting.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrVf-vNJe1r5lb7pj87vBzIX-Y62DL4zumGbb9LXt9TnCFi7m-bmlWuy_ExKJWjmyz4VfGRF5j6a6sjmcDEaqMP959h32szyfNlppUA1wuJg7YB4dvbenv4sXs-Dy-dAz3ior/s640/blogger-image-1032058460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrVf-vNJe1r5lb7pj87vBzIX-Y62DL4zumGbb9LXt9TnCFi7m-bmlWuy_ExKJWjmyz4VfGRF5j6a6sjmcDEaqMP959h32szyfNlppUA1wuJg7YB4dvbenv4sXs-Dy-dAz3ior/s640/blogger-image-1032058460.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All the spots in the shoreline shrubbery are the heads of nesting pelicans.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RG0oV0P_C5CEm7MmHWW6NLjuU-jIqZ_JXg1B3J6NZxjlacP8qThBVIz_Ke0Gf4WZRDKrNJgbqYBGXScgmFO4URFEFj2jiwvCmE1R9E9zsGAOBfnLP5vOYk6dYn5rC5alGUxR/s640/blogger-image--2113087907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RG0oV0P_C5CEm7MmHWW6NLjuU-jIqZ_JXg1B3J6NZxjlacP8qThBVIz_Ke0Gf4WZRDKrNJgbqYBGXScgmFO4URFEFj2jiwvCmE1R9E9zsGAOBfnLP5vOYk6dYn5rC5alGUxR/s640/blogger-image--2113087907.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This was an Oil Rig being towed in t<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">he Theodore Industrial Canal Ship Channel that runs along the southwest side of Gilliard Island.</span></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11387505.post-53067575587159361422016-06-02T07:51:00.001-05:002016-06-02T08:11:43.666-05:00Mobile River Loop<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQj3CfmuuOVgu4S8MrD8e4rzjRuZt3OcnsqSucnVEULffy23QWgcuufbAp8Gr3a5VZc9n8TExUyUb5rHeubwu8FyhUl-zL84xuCaL79gANfCeBtc-bZqqB7MCReaH8uUyIGeTO/s640/blogger-image--1248993020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQj3CfmuuOVgu4S8MrD8e4rzjRuZt3OcnsqSucnVEULffy23QWgcuufbAp8Gr3a5VZc9n8TExUyUb5rHeubwu8FyhUl-zL84xuCaL79gANfCeBtc-bZqqB7MCReaH8uUyIGeTO/s640/blogger-image--1248993020.jpg"></a><div>Forecast for the day was choppy conditions in Mobile Bay. Sometimes wrong forecasts are good.<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHElNkz-1AFOMDjPVxXIyU2Ie4R-03Cg9Sm_dKjCXMz1GS-LOlFO0YPARDeDkw-LzXHt1pAfIjxxuJ0weoMjdahv83NeNxlcmTpLTbLfrJYXDYhGWtQHT-s-A-_NclLiaEULI/s640/blogger-image--307885239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHElNkz-1AFOMDjPVxXIyU2Ie4R-03Cg9Sm_dKjCXMz1GS-LOlFO0YPARDeDkw-LzXHt1pAfIjxxuJ0weoMjdahv83NeNxlcmTpLTbLfrJYXDYhGWtQHT-s-A-_NclLiaEULI/s640/blogger-image--307885239.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As always, dredging Mobile River to keep it deep enough for ships is a never ending process.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17_x66KzamJvk54nT9bauvfZMxAwzlzV0aDLkXVRu2axBTzoZhaVOMZw3QzIk-qysBA_bhk1KGPxQOoj6if2ol5EOyEaDvrhwNYo8Olt4LB95S2jz93bnC2Jj1yivmOJbf0LK/s640/blogger-image-94593298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17_x66KzamJvk54nT9bauvfZMxAwzlzV0aDLkXVRu2axBTzoZhaVOMZw3QzIk-qysBA_bhk1KGPxQOoj6if2ol5EOyEaDvrhwNYo8Olt4LB95S2jz93bnC2Jj1yivmOJbf0LK/s640/blogger-image-94593298.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mobile Skyline.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6A5V2Ag2PDYs7qYzuBv1_VyFhIuRLihJlONq3zzSDO2h0droxK_Uy48Zl0vEj_sdclFONyW0wioDJksE40ZgZw_3mqx7lWxOFONE0ldRwYbVQ5EhOFItc5xpHm51USQseuP-z/s640/blogger-image--2073470320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6A5V2Ag2PDYs7qYzuBv1_VyFhIuRLihJlONq3zzSDO2h0droxK_Uy48Zl0vEj_sdclFONyW0wioDJksE40ZgZw_3mqx7lWxOFONE0ldRwYbVQ5EhOFItc5xpHm51USQseuP-z/s640/blogger-image--2073470320.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mobile Convention Center.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsk63t_l2K_IRJ4a3u24Et3ryFTRxUe6WboQok219aStuyM6Ko9cbkaCWNQsclyY0ntHh0dzfh4vFNcAo4WhBxCnpwObwwk6JSSfPk7ILA89VoUdaCkgC6OkKqlCOCfZcm6GcY/s640/blogger-image--1519273456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsk63t_l2K_IRJ4a3u24Et3ryFTRxUe6WboQok219aStuyM6Ko9cbkaCWNQsclyY0ntHh0dzfh4vFNcAo4WhBxCnpwObwwk6JSSfPk7ILA89VoUdaCkgC6OkKqlCOCfZcm6GcY/s640/blogger-image--1519273456.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Nor Goliath, an offshore servicing rig for the oil industry capable of lifting about 2000 Tons. That would be about 4 million pounds.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61Kyp3ciUWa4QyVIg8TzJIsLYU3QfUrsJbUu64ol61FX17cHkmsEuZX4Td9TcsEk4ZkREhyphenhyphenY2tVRU3IStY06Ucs2FQzp_uRibSX5zFd03OaL1UJjB7O8G7_wa-kYpyc9wUTyg/s640/blogger-image-434835692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61Kyp3ciUWa4QyVIg8TzJIsLYU3QfUrsJbUu64ol61FX17cHkmsEuZX4Td9TcsEk4ZkREhyphenhyphenY2tVRU3IStY06Ucs2FQzp_uRibSX5zFd03OaL1UJjB7O8G7_wa-kYpyc9wUTyg/s640/blogger-image-434835692.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">BW Pioneer is a FPSO ship. FPSO stands for: Floating Production, Storage, Offloading vessel. This ship, capable of processing 80,000 barrels of oil per day, had been working off Lousiana at a depth of about 2600 meters (1.6 miles) making it the deepest water operation of any FPSO in the world. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">http://www.tparkerhost.com/not-average-vessel-bw-pioneer-fpso/</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPL87dlkN9pIQsiRa9Fy6dt16JrsPT4_NFLF9mrTju5p0mIRFk2K809pSt9-ndmcR_BE02RjHJMzcp6N9-FbVkJcuVeWyVRTjpIGNCxrIVS7PT2uydOzJuHF305FJ_33BNOUa/s640/blogger-image-149188046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPL87dlkN9pIQsiRa9Fy6dt16JrsPT4_NFLF9mrTju5p0mIRFk2K809pSt9-ndmcR_BE02RjHJMzcp6N9-FbVkJcuVeWyVRTjpIGNCxrIVS7PT2uydOzJuHF305FJ_33BNOUa/s640/blogger-image-149188046.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Memorial Day Weekend and the USS Alabama go well together. The historic battleship had a lot of visitors this weekend.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJYLhvohr4aomNtw-SV4D0rY3TgNPExOyWWeIN9ImAOBIHUmxFqp1_EnVLEqgDEaZh_pp6krAGNaTRX2nLHHVr9KqVdv1rFZecKie3KZ4HDxoxAbiXyUIo32Cv0vyPsndm6rw/s640/blogger-image--1989025444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJYLhvohr4aomNtw-SV4D0rY3TgNPExOyWWeIN9ImAOBIHUmxFqp1_EnVLEqgDEaZh_pp6krAGNaTRX2nLHHVr9KqVdv1rFZecKie3KZ4HDxoxAbiXyUIo32Cv0vyPsndm6rw/s640/blogger-image--1989025444.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Interstate I-10.</div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11387505.post-74723504447603980762016-05-28T19:35:00.001-05:002016-05-28T19:35:54.228-05:00D'Olive Creek<div>Launched at Meaher Park for a paddle into D'Olive Creek.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUOIBupScdERFRdjTFAy0d_9tKGNRFh07CH8mb14DqGGuUx6XxKyWwODj25hyphenhyphenjU_y4h6FWS7VzeD1Wgjm4NGXVGNq6xzpLxhAVFrXdnEJboGqC3JQAq4o55ckqXRse9t9KbOi/s640/blogger-image--710698918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUOIBupScdERFRdjTFAy0d_9tKGNRFh07CH8mb14DqGGuUx6XxKyWwODj25hyphenhyphenjU_y4h6FWS7VzeD1Wgjm4NGXVGNq6xzpLxhAVFrXdnEJboGqC3JQAq4o55ckqXRse9t9KbOi/s640/blogger-image--710698918.jpg"></a><div>One of my favorite trees near the Causeway is not looking too good.<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPis3bKjm5v9U6j-unXSyUQ0vQZ7InCL4_jOLhRWII9XwwQmyA8vu9PYnJepWPm2wWFJjDkoCeopd8-oRq3Uti9E32G6rWV8uD_0zgBz0CQmuAWHzEVveWmItqs97BYz6v4hE/s640/blogger-image-570148345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPis3bKjm5v9U6j-unXSyUQ0vQZ7InCL4_jOLhRWII9XwwQmyA8vu9PYnJepWPm2wWFJjDkoCeopd8-oRq3Uti9E32G6rWV8uD_0zgBz0CQmuAWHzEVveWmItqs97BYz6v4hE/s640/blogger-image-570148345.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But I found a new favorite.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kXNmgkKMkxDi2ZXCoBpKDivswO5VoB2DUkGuvlrvZbRszVfe_4VVfsL5A5qXJyiwWea9-LQdpUP9zjMNKrNdYaaAJxN-w2v4jwBPzQBViW3at6HHMboAui_H1ijwGZk5jlUE/s640/blogger-image--728575352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kXNmgkKMkxDi2ZXCoBpKDivswO5VoB2DUkGuvlrvZbRszVfe_4VVfsL5A5qXJyiwWea9-LQdpUP9zjMNKrNdYaaAJxN-w2v4jwBPzQBViW3at6HHMboAui_H1ijwGZk5jlUE/s640/blogger-image--728575352.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The paddle into D'Olive Creek also known as Alligator Alley lived up to expectation. A good sized River Dawg led the way.</div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11387505.post-23516246336981743032016-05-23T17:43:00.001-05:002016-05-23T17:43:45.263-05:00Dog River Escort<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKHUOPPmH5-kq0dz5MKhdVtAc-rH3a5hmhQnh6mkEpxEfXL6aV9VvWSLIprVDRFflalLEb0HOJA7YEfTreVYSAIp6Yc87rcsVn0o1cdYlj0xlxzeMIO7m83t72MTA0ITSSK3Q/s640/blogger-image-1561343840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKHUOPPmH5-kq0dz5MKhdVtAc-rH3a5hmhQnh6mkEpxEfXL6aV9VvWSLIprVDRFflalLEb0HOJA7YEfTreVYSAIp6Yc87rcsVn0o1cdYlj0xlxzeMIO7m83t72MTA0ITSSK3Q/s640/blogger-image-1561343840.jpg"></a><div>A sole dolphin gave me a 45 minute escort down Dog River. That was a special treat.<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzT70jpgWlqEA-Xul_c3TajvVu7GWdY_81gV7EStGEUWkFdQCUczth3qxx2ioApNRDk4h0a6odmT7ApePhGOaxB-YZwMcj_K-xzyXY88GdUQ3HgZoEpmXegrmSZBmViu-8e2_C/s640/blogger-image--1618205570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzT70jpgWlqEA-Xul_c3TajvVu7GWdY_81gV7EStGEUWkFdQCUczth3qxx2ioApNRDk4h0a6odmT7ApePhGOaxB-YZwMcj_K-xzyXY88GdUQ3HgZoEpmXegrmSZBmViu-8e2_C/s640/blogger-image--1618205570.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sometimes the dolphin swam in front and sometimes on the side or behind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQmgVmFZKu67ue3j1ECmQHulML2fsl9hfrMu1YYh0NtYxPLr_wJH3cO9QdyV0wG0Ch1btXdt_XHQgtVdo33ky8XeXbXw7p-HXEjIqMBRVbqZTBzGzQe4XpnEP81YEgwPpCKti/s640/blogger-image-2055330018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQmgVmFZKu67ue3j1ECmQHulML2fsl9hfrMu1YYh0NtYxPLr_wJH3cO9QdyV0wG0Ch1btXdt_XHQgtVdo33ky8XeXbXw7p-HXEjIqMBRVbqZTBzGzQe4XpnEP81YEgwPpCKti/s640/blogger-image-2055330018.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Much of the dolphin was covered in a thick algae and it swam pretty slow.</div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11387505.post-90317335136988633382016-05-21T01:13:00.001-05:002016-05-21T01:43:42.015-05:00eWaste Apathy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAMdnG5RC8edCyc88fXslYbGDQGwuei9U2G56sDq0iDw6wbsf2PrGbG3tDQZFRCsfv3FfvzPGLHNI9_b0S9JuvcF6kgnUT1KG9LOkM6ZOr7eAK5R47yrponTnAtz59ge0j86h/s640/blogger-image--1613194495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAMdnG5RC8edCyc88fXslYbGDQGwuei9U2G56sDq0iDw6wbsf2PrGbG3tDQZFRCsfv3FfvzPGLHNI9_b0S9JuvcF6kgnUT1KG9LOkM6ZOr7eAK5R47yrponTnAtz59ge0j86h/s640/blogger-image--1613194495.jpg"></a><div><br></div><div><div>This is a broken computer monitor that has been sitting in the water 50 FEET away from Dog River Park in Mobile Alabama for YEARS. I have alerted the City of Mobile leaders, the State of Alabama, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, and the US EPA to the fact that there is a hazardous television floating in the water in Dog River. That was in 2012. No one bothered to contact me or reply. Four years later and there are STILL a number CRT televisions floating in the watershed.</div><div><br></div><div>I thought documenting the dense pollution in Dog River (been doing it for 5 years) would provide local leaders an incentive to develop a program to address the pollution problem in the trashy Dog River watershed. My recommendation was and still is to get a litter boat working the watershed full time removing the trash. I mean, the City can afford to pay 2-3 dozen workers to mow grass, surely the City of Mobile cares enough about the public waterways their drainage system pollutes to dedicate at least one worker to keep it clean.</div><div><br></div><div>Hooray! Supposedly the City of Mobile now has a litter boat. So how is the City of Mobile's litter boat doing? I don't know because I have never seen a litter removal boat in action and the storm water trash is not being removed from the trashy shorelines in Dog River. This is a problem.</div><div><br></div><div>You see, not all trash is benign. Glass cathode ray tubes in old computer monitors and televisions, also called CRTs, contain several POUNDS of toxic lead. (1)</div><div><br></div><div>LEAD content in a CRT monitor can be as high as 20%, which means that one 34” television can contain up to 2.2 POUNDS of lead. Allowing this hazardous material to seep into soil and water systems can be extremely harmful to human health.(2)</div><div><br></div><div>If the monitor or screen gets broken then lead dust or cadmium dust can get out and that stuff is very, very toxic. (3)</div><div><br></div><div>Lead is only one of several toxins in old Televisions.</div><div><br></div><div>Sadly, there is still no one to call to get HAZARDOUS trash removed from Mobile waterways. I know because I've tried for years to get the trash removed from Dog River. The City of Mobile will not even keep their park shorelines free of trash. ADEM is useless to get the trash pollution removed from Dog River. The US EPA is just as useless. Gonna be a lot more cancer in the future as long as hazardous trash in public waterways is ignored after 5 years of complaints to the authorities.</div><div><br></div><div>So, enjoy your swim in Dog River and Mobile Bay because no one in Mobile or the State of Alabama or the Federal Government gives a shit what is floating in the watershed. Nor do the residents who live in the area.</div><div><br></div><div>(1) http://m.timesunion.com/business/article/After-Jan-1-Toxic-tubes-from-old-TVs-5986626.php</div><div><br></div><div>(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/25776743/</div><div><br></div><div>(3) http://www.post-gazette.com/local/2008/06/01/By-the-way-that-big-old-TV-is-really-toxic/stories/200806010187</div><div><br></div></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11387505.post-25028609939401671502016-05-10T01:36:00.001-05:002016-05-10T01:41:20.806-05:00Kayak launch sites in Mobile?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPwxOVZW59v-WysOCaJR-JNmxBh0oRyFrq0KA4XiwYS55C66XJ1_x6sFBDci8hVZes9oJr5I6Q7AnV-PJKH23SbmJS0JmJfsIyWPpAzEiDcNhBm1xUSaZSSXl05QN8UeZpVHL/s640/blogger-image-125709454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPwxOVZW59v-WysOCaJR-JNmxBh0oRyFrq0KA4XiwYS55C66XJ1_x6sFBDci8hVZes9oJr5I6Q7AnV-PJKH23SbmJS0JmJfsIyWPpAzEiDcNhBm1xUSaZSSXl05QN8UeZpVHL/s640/blogger-image-125709454.jpg"></a><div>The shoreline of the Mobile Convention would make a decent kayak launch spot for Mobile River access. Instead this small and rare City of Mobile shoreline sits idle and remains lined with recyceable trash all year long. What a pathetic waste of a valuable City of Mobile waterfront asset.<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisns2gEoe7CiuOvo8nPwZcBthfgysY6IHxkWpvjNGsW58Ki7DPGhIOUyMOoQn6B0oUfrf-3SA8sjLNjBhpLxOqbXQOztgzOB7us0Dd666WageEfsUNOFgdqPkjNALumw0MiMeb/s640/blogger-image-1988641236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisns2gEoe7CiuOvo8nPwZcBthfgysY6IHxkWpvjNGsW58Ki7DPGhIOUyMOoQn6B0oUfrf-3SA8sjLNjBhpLxOqbXQOztgzOB7us0Dd666WageEfsUNOFgdqPkjNALumw0MiMeb/s640/blogger-image-1988641236.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is the trashy Mobile Bay shoreline seen from the wooden walkway at the City of Mobile's Arlington Park. Arlington Park is an embarrassing black eye on the City of Mobile's promised committment to deal with its community storm water trash pollution. Ignore, ignore and ignore the waterfront trash pollution year after year is a clear indicator of lousy City of Mobile leadership and a community that absolutely does NOT give a shit about their community's polluted waterfront properties despite Lawsuits and Fines by environmental groups.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtwC-G6NKs3Dpg7a7TzNGnLW8NDUYr4kljAb04CnORyFAz_kVcoIonqxtqO9xg69EFE4z_7Rkv2IkLvJmjRI8ampR6lKXoWiPSjQgMx5NyG_5vXOlusozILqiLaVgDF9AqHRD/s640/blogger-image-296161036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtwC-G6NKs3Dpg7a7TzNGnLW8NDUYr4kljAb04CnORyFAz_kVcoIonqxtqO9xg69EFE4z_7Rkv2IkLvJmjRI8ampR6lKXoWiPSjQgMx5NyG_5vXOlusozILqiLaVgDF9AqHRD/s640/blogger-image-296161036.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">No wonder why the bayside boat and kayak launch at McNally Park is rarely used. No one seems to maintain this City of Mobile Park launch site.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim62rONtawibO94rXddaBww-cRQM7jo3iwX4epdSNuXAHbgHehVIi3p_sFx7aL4ywz_gybt7_4yKnzf5LvoK5KyAg4AqyB1uIyMMGjrIUP7wybBe9JiuJhFVzk_iS_ApgVpME6/s640/blogger-image--59891427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim62rONtawibO94rXddaBww-cRQM7jo3iwX4epdSNuXAHbgHehVIi3p_sFx7aL4ywz_gybt7_4yKnzf5LvoK5KyAg4AqyB1uIyMMGjrIUP7wybBe9JiuJhFVzk_iS_ApgVpME6/s640/blogger-image--59891427.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As usual, the fishing pigs who use the City of Mobile's Helen Wood Park keep it littered with trash. What kayaker trusts parking and launching a kayak at a poorly maintained trashy park?</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinqI9UT1GpZ2JSgn2z6cVR1y_nOz1W4-z4J7__uwKHuhRM-YXQbQnx7bv3BmFApiRvp1LhxqgnqL-bcvi4Iu0ho0dF6zaR0jMplJKxsMiwG1OQ401YCy9RraS5M8Bm44-GLF8/s640/blogger-image--407698992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinqI9UT1GpZ2JSgn2z6cVR1y_nOz1W4-z4J7__uwKHuhRM-YXQbQnx7bv3BmFApiRvp1LhxqgnqL-bcvi4Iu0ho0dF6zaR0jMplJKxsMiwG1OQ401YCy9RraS5M8Bm44-GLF8/s640/blogger-image--407698992.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I did find one kayak launch site in Mobile that was free of trash. Sadly the Robinson Bayou launch site is rarely used because parking for the relatively new launch site is poorly marked.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The community of Mobile should be happy that I am not in charge of the City's waterfront parks. If I was in charge all the parks would be shut down until the community implemented a plan to keep the parks free of litter. People will never appreciate the things they have until they loose them. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I can guarantee you if all the waterfront parks in Mobile became no trespassing zones there would be public outcry, especially from the boaters who no longer have places to launch the expensive boats.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">City leaders should be clear what they expect from their community with regards to trash in parks. As long as City of Mobile leaders allows its community to freely litter City parks without any consequence to those violating the law, the fishing pigs and retards in Mobile who break the litter law will continue to do so unabated. The continued trashing of City parks comes at significant cost to its taxpayers and tourism. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What Mobile needs is some volunteer litter police in all its parks to document the litter law violators. If the volunteer's video of some asshole littering in a park results in a conviction and $500 fine, the City should reward the volunteer $100 for each conviction. I can guarantee you if the Mobile community was aware that people of all ages and colors were secretly trying to get video of people littering, littering in public parks would become a rare thing in Mobile.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I wonder how many "litter cams" the City of Mobile has deployed in littering hot spots...</span></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11387505.post-30278478603737817862016-04-21T20:50:00.001-05:002016-04-21T21:39:34.743-05:00Rabbit Creek<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEcbPj_PSWiwOFfNBJJmSWQ_HkmX5fYxGtAm0Ld9nBP0xV6soC8CZHEE71SP2Sj-fxwTbolkAH3jKdbvMGEotL1jq2U5OO0VtItEAWezOwLIqpzAUMDXzEhhTBhrF4pIaWltCy/s640/blogger-image--1055348494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEcbPj_PSWiwOFfNBJJmSWQ_HkmX5fYxGtAm0Ld9nBP0xV6soC8CZHEE71SP2Sj-fxwTbolkAH3jKdbvMGEotL1jq2U5OO0VtItEAWezOwLIqpzAUMDXzEhhTBhrF4pIaWltCy/s640/blogger-image--1055348494.jpg"></a><div>Eastern Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus) was in bloom near the shoreline.<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VdlizEUuJ-dgoiveuQeEGFic_OcQoPjnXF4gIFhUGMbiLuuhxSOyoIFXbeH5_TxatdRX3Jqyxr4VUG52-xsoAdeAokV16YZqyQksdVh_XtqmHv2zhdFDSiAHHnOCCzqwROBJ/s640/blogger-image--1046333357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VdlizEUuJ-dgoiveuQeEGFic_OcQoPjnXF4gIFhUGMbiLuuhxSOyoIFXbeH5_TxatdRX3Jqyxr4VUG52-xsoAdeAokV16YZqyQksdVh_XtqmHv2zhdFDSiAHHnOCCzqwROBJ/s640/blogger-image--1046333357.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On a smaller scale Dwarf Sundew (Drosera brevifolia) was about to bloom. This wetland plant supplements its need for nutrition by capturing and digesting insects. The yellow circle highlights one insect being eaten by the Sundew after it got stuck on the sticky droplets.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTCOAzAUk6ITleMkmJXLXdLR5nLz5g6hG85d8q9KRVqzBpoC-nOhZ6lOD7M2b6nvgXRBCtetGKDResJ5N5AtNTlvuIhgcGep_ELk0veAc6-yJK1c-kTrL556zuK4eUuJFaKg1/s640/blogger-image-1119363967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTCOAzAUk6ITleMkmJXLXdLR5nLz5g6hG85d8q9KRVqzBpoC-nOhZ6lOD7M2b6nvgXRBCtetGKDResJ5N5AtNTlvuIhgcGep_ELk0veAc6-yJK1c-kTrL556zuK4eUuJFaKg1/s640/blogger-image-1119363967.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Fishing spiders are frequently seen on trees next to the water. Yes, these spiders capture and eat minnows.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dvpOMBoxfeqZHwLxmYD_daYr-igMD3QLVkLf9zkbGfWwEsL2qyF18KP_PxmxfJUAMjVstVQ86DhIZSuLRfDpjYFAbhihwk-uTM0iTpAdK5joFweGhMV5Bt28WbCPFxAepZhi/s640/blogger-image--144086341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dvpOMBoxfeqZHwLxmYD_daYr-igMD3QLVkLf9zkbGfWwEsL2qyF18KP_PxmxfJUAMjVstVQ86DhIZSuLRfDpjYFAbhihwk-uTM0iTpAdK5joFweGhMV5Bt28WbCPFxAepZhi/s640/blogger-image--144086341.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What scares some people is just how big fishing spiders can get. This spider that was about 8 inches from leg tip to leg tip.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkpR_S39_mG04DyAWhtREly_HubU11k4xR0mhGrn5z5yuXw792KTgQXV26gUDoiKIhyphenhyphenO5pfwN99lo2oHOgGKXhkuwMMgpjrM4-Ff7QOoLqMB3H-HyO2ibZw0JGK6ZXl_GKMWT/s640/blogger-image--694596900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkpR_S39_mG04DyAWhtREly_HubU11k4xR0mhGrn5z5yuXw792KTgQXV26gUDoiKIhyphenhyphenO5pfwN99lo2oHOgGKXhkuwMMgpjrM4-Ff7QOoLqMB3H-HyO2ibZw0JGK6ZXl_GKMWT/s640/blogger-image--694596900.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The fishing spiders do not bother me. What does is the storm water trash.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTk_3l26ei9UgoDHqVSp4giIBynkWRxcb2VRWzYHbKGfHvbjIpm2-nnEp-YouEuStIrMLfu3G-4PbRctaNERLxM34SRuW1Kq_u6wBVMckfZux2CSYtEBjmWWFG1THFAtPXOo7z/s640/blogger-image-881311331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTk_3l26ei9UgoDHqVSp4giIBynkWRxcb2VRWzYHbKGfHvbjIpm2-nnEp-YouEuStIrMLfu3G-4PbRctaNERLxM34SRuW1Kq_u6wBVMckfZux2CSYtEBjmWWFG1THFAtPXOo7z/s640/blogger-image-881311331.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Motorized litter removal boats cannot reach this trash. This floating trash in Rabbit Creek can only be accessed by canoe or kayak. Unfortunately I know of no effective program in Mobile that regularly removes trash accumulations from upper creeks and tributaries. The City of Mobile, Mobile County, the State of Alabama, and all the environmental groups just ignore the waterway pollution even though some of it may be hazardous to public health and marine life.</div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11387505.post-67407157150010485802016-04-19T21:28:00.001-05:002016-04-19T21:36:56.661-05:00Dog River Orange Hues<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9I735mo1oCZvBQrC8JaEcHqgu9jroA5fuYeeR3zpaErGLhxlLq_zqIX4VIPRORq4bBGL2QIuVs3KshKfUkj9s_gsU5I4ZND7JDkd58_EX4gj2Qcpx5Ge0fCWoFBEXHqsmrZ4A/s640/blogger-image--1199971271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9I735mo1oCZvBQrC8JaEcHqgu9jroA5fuYeeR3zpaErGLhxlLq_zqIX4VIPRORq4bBGL2QIuVs3KshKfUkj9s_gsU5I4ZND7JDkd58_EX4gj2Qcpx5Ge0fCWoFBEXHqsmrZ4A/s640/blogger-image--1199971271.jpg"></a><div>Saw some Green Arrow Arum (Peltandra virginica) that had unusual orange colored stems.<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWQURtPJ_riZegzVyrSO9pO7UyegE1qlmHnyXOS7oL5wX3gPbGi3aC9vLivsLTBGTlBgsK2kyivKU1fVNgAkIuofqhz98AEG8GIwxrGD36H2mrlxn1LqvcUuxgLbeU0G0J_NL/s640/blogger-image-317657433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWQURtPJ_riZegzVyrSO9pO7UyegE1qlmHnyXOS7oL5wX3gPbGi3aC9vLivsLTBGTlBgsK2kyivKU1fVNgAkIuofqhz98AEG8GIwxrGD36H2mrlxn1LqvcUuxgLbeU0G0J_NL/s640/blogger-image-317657433.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Closeup of the stem seen in the above photo. Some research on the Internet revealed the orange color on the Green Arums is the result of Rust Fungi (<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Uromyces caladii). The Rust Fungi is known to grow on another member of the Arum Family called Jack in the Pulpit.</span></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEG92wo-2di3JVUgrrdJ8x0OyTFPZkD7UrKZH3zos49m8R9oUaIaxyWuFGlttexUVEFysLWh88_4Dy8A0X8jEjyi5RaSI6zMor58YXUsH9W9dF3XJLrEknRGUDpbTpbLxsN33/s640/blogger-image--730281654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEG92wo-2di3JVUgrrdJ8x0OyTFPZkD7UrKZH3zos49m8R9oUaIaxyWuFGlttexUVEFysLWh88_4Dy8A0X8jEjyi5RaSI6zMor58YXUsH9W9dF3XJLrEknRGUDpbTpbLxsN33/s640/blogger-image--730281654.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The plant Rust can also be seen on the top of some Green Arum leaves.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7N_bqn3lUahgsGlXmgLlK7yjJOMW3paUydxcaz5ynHo1FRNZc65rcFXvm9PExO69q339AsLENcBReYyQBHDqegDSmaEjl4YGRVaE_A6PBtoDUbSD77J0RMyytAH_QXfeyfyQH/s640/blogger-image--1066857513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7N_bqn3lUahgsGlXmgLlK7yjJOMW3paUydxcaz5ynHo1FRNZc65rcFXvm9PExO69q339AsLENcBReYyQBHDqegDSmaEjl4YGRVaE_A6PBtoDUbSD77J0RMyytAH_QXfeyfyQH/s640/blogger-image--1066857513.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A closeup view of the <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Rust Fungi.</span></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVecIx6OAMJgaGQtWbPFFH_yoJ9eobpYAY9I1t6wjTTDzj0362kKJ9SD7KsfLykvGd23R1Vp_M8cZ_geAQ4OLfgKEuq58v9Du2ZMRpwer5YD5zUbJ6V1sHdlOv3v8if_RIHB3N/s640/blogger-image-723970262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVecIx6OAMJgaGQtWbPFFH_yoJ9eobpYAY9I1t6wjTTDzj0362kKJ9SD7KsfLykvGd23R1Vp_M8cZ_geAQ4OLfgKEuq58v9Du2ZMRpwer5YD5zUbJ6V1sHdlOv3v8if_RIHB3N/s640/blogger-image-723970262.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Sunset on Dog River is another source of orange hues.</span></div></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11387505.post-30145323517783639982016-04-18T16:16:00.001-05:002016-04-18T16:16:05.689-05:00Dog River<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38eihb6FtTaKWa1DHxQ2BC5aj70kOPk9trQhUvZD-nV6BX8NiPo4fRN48_jMb9y6nYJYayTNE3F78AsLcLaGqZP41HHlpHukWom26koPkSTbkQJqLZBqCrocAkoh8hEXP6kr4/s640/blogger-image--2099907819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38eihb6FtTaKWa1DHxQ2BC5aj70kOPk9trQhUvZD-nV6BX8NiPo4fRN48_jMb9y6nYJYayTNE3F78AsLcLaGqZP41HHlpHukWom26koPkSTbkQJqLZBqCrocAkoh8hEXP6kr4/s640/blogger-image--2099907819.jpg"></a><div>Sailboat about to go under the Dog River bridge into Mobile Bay.<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFauT9bX4thlpgzRk7EDOsE4bk9lUzDB_lCjCBqO4diwnJN83ski6-XbX7ehAEwMRyeHJfAA9jAGSJLtsxSuphsWHgrvUTfJb1Kn4WlOeTww6Tae7WP-fAlGnNRt_oXE5JY4FD/s640/blogger-image--851897887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFauT9bX4thlpgzRk7EDOsE4bk9lUzDB_lCjCBqO4diwnJN83ski6-XbX7ehAEwMRyeHJfAA9jAGSJLtsxSuphsWHgrvUTfJb1Kn4WlOeTww6Tae7WP-fAlGnNRt_oXE5JY4FD/s640/blogger-image--851897887.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sunset on placid Dog River.</div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11387505.post-87008452120011152662016-04-17T19:01:00.001-05:002016-04-17T20:14:42.929-05:00Dog River Great Drift<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElqCj_2compboaHqilMHcB82Q255VRyj3pr2jJp2fWvlCHPkEIM3kugUxpEW_2KxXb2OIuxm_PcHzgahgu-P8mD36a6r_u4pldK5OKpAfP9fg4LFi5BlKgjxZ0p2oz04rw-Vn/s640/blogger-image--904970615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElqCj_2compboaHqilMHcB82Q255VRyj3pr2jJp2fWvlCHPkEIM3kugUxpEW_2KxXb2OIuxm_PcHzgahgu-P8mD36a6r_u4pldK5OKpAfP9fg4LFi5BlKgjxZ0p2oz04rw-Vn/s640/blogger-image--904970615.jpg"></a><div>The 6th annual Dog River Great Drift was held yesterday. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Despite the dreary forecast of cloudy skies in conjunction with a small craft advisory meaning windy conditions, 40-50 kayakers still participated. The launch was in Rabbit Creek at Rangeline Road and the destination was the Rivershack Restaurant about 5 miles away. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Someone commented after finally getting to the destination that the name of the Great Drift is misleading because any Drifting they did resulted in the wind moving them backwards in the wrong direction.</span></div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzBlF-y8kkakJRd9bxdLDK0DJqYMziVuv-_QaHC4-XVlCkawyqeROSqavlAHndFZcTAU8q3wIRrI7Qma0aqEH92eHj37s6f-WFVjj_tRnz1RsfP8bUnjqY1WKgCM_PmSKz_kR/s640/blogger-image-1341361845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzBlF-y8kkakJRd9bxdLDK0DJqYMziVuv-_QaHC4-XVlCkawyqeROSqavlAHndFZcTAU8q3wIRrI7Qma0aqEH92eHj37s6f-WFVjj_tRnz1RsfP8bUnjqY1WKgCM_PmSKz_kR/s640/blogger-image-1341361845.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">10-20 feet away from the Rabbit Creek Rangeline Road launch site <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">shows the ugliness of the Dog River watershed. Recyclable aluminum, plastic, glass and more pollutes the shoreline wetlands.</span></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKPi9AdJiFAHLMqSD_orVm91tw6Ewj2VPIe0Kvh7pVxdrJHWzjlcZHyRZyrjrN-uBaXqc13Rn6kgirCuthhNfpJ9KZLe3eZwhDfoDLkuuMgMctixHkSJ99B1tZPxFn4oUKAD4/s640/blogger-image-887904372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKPi9AdJiFAHLMqSD_orVm91tw6Ewj2VPIe0Kvh7pVxdrJHWzjlcZHyRZyrjrN-uBaXqc13Rn6kgirCuthhNfpJ9KZLe3eZwhDfoDLkuuMgMctixHkSJ99B1tZPxFn4oUKAD4/s640/blogger-image-887904372.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It is ignorant to let aluminum cans rot into the waterway environment but that is what is happening in ignorant Alabama where recycling is an option for a few instead of being a requirement for all.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46fl0EG8BbE8XeQ4a78sGSj5kmLJCPQoO8Os-44kzQaiCh42mxtBCz3PK_Ytj8HtPsTuhKkkSfP5PYxStKOJvQz6TCpLU3Wxlx1OXRARBPhBizFrKjEKzbujXBc4gMh1ADOGl/s640/blogger-image-1964028500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46fl0EG8BbE8XeQ4a78sGSj5kmLJCPQoO8Os-44kzQaiCh42mxtBCz3PK_Ytj8HtPsTuhKkkSfP5PYxStKOJvQz6TCpLU3Wxlx1OXRARBPhBizFrKjEKzbujXBc4gMh1ADOGl/s640/blogger-image-1964028500.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Glass which is obviously being buried abundantly along Dog River Watershed's shoreline as seen here in Rabbit Creek next to Rangeline Road, is impermeable. That means less water will be able to seep into the groundwater aquifers as more and more glass acumulates along and in the bottom of the Earth's waterways. A bottle here and there after each heavy rain added to the waterway pollution will eventually add up after thousands of years of ignoring the recyclable glass pollution problem. What happens when all the drinking water aquifers dry up? Gulp.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdjTgI8Dt2GkEoauVgo7EdIiSJiyOAcpXcxBRdelBjGLcFo-SGCGRUyyTuduOCr_-dTUv_UA6YUyzZa6e5Fr2Vl6l9Qjbal0iJgt5TzlhMfZZ7QX1IaBkHn5ya_Eu0sTPxv13/s640/blogger-image--709104124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdjTgI8Dt2GkEoauVgo7EdIiSJiyOAcpXcxBRdelBjGLcFo-SGCGRUyyTuduOCr_-dTUv_UA6YUyzZa6e5Fr2Vl6l9Qjbal0iJgt5TzlhMfZZ7QX1IaBkHn5ya_Eu0sTPxv13/s640/blogger-image--709104124.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After the Great Drift I went back to the start location to see how much litter was left behind. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Remarkably, I was unable to find a single piece of litter left behind by the Great Drift participants or organizers. And I looked all over the launch and registration areas. Big Kudos go to Dog River Clearwater Revival, the participants and all the volunteers for leaving the ALDOT right-of-way cleaner than it was before the event!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The only sign that there was a bunch of people in the area was a few lines in the sand left behind from dragging some of the kayaks to the water.</span></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11387505.post-38036790603223323632016-04-10T08:38:00.001-05:002016-04-10T22:01:19.023-05:00Dauphin IslandGood News and Bad News.<div><br></div><div>The good news is the almost $7 million dollar Dauphin Island east end beach restoration project that brought in 325,000 cubic yards of sand is complete. The new beach is proving to be popular.</div><div><br></div><div><a href="http://www.al.com/news/mobile/index.ssf/2016/03/no_alcohol_ban_for_dauphin_isl.html">http://www.al.com/news/mobile/index.ssf/2016/03/no_alcohol_ban_for_dauphin_isl.html</a></div><div><br></div><div>The bad news is the free east end parking is limited and my favorite east end sheltered kayak launch has moved so far away from the now crowded parking area that it is not worth using anymore. Most of the formerly sandy shoreline is now a kayak un-launchable rock shoreline.<div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BbfxZqNkeNgY-bBF_G835K9DWMM6MR49o5MwgN1sVKbW3CbggQn0ywEzooOq_jYE6rtpShISpORrViw3UuZywiW7jXtUveEex2Uat2LO31PiNV0X-nCFdMecqqgR5y4WtWR_/s640/blogger-image-125419508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BbfxZqNkeNgY-bBF_G835K9DWMM6MR49o5MwgN1sVKbW3CbggQn0ywEzooOq_jYE6rtpShISpORrViw3UuZywiW7jXtUveEex2Uat2LO31PiNV0X-nCFdMecqqgR5y4WtWR_/s640/blogger-image-125419508.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The new long rock shoreline is visible on the right. To launch at the sandy beach visible on the left side of the photo will require carrying the kayak across a painfully long stretch of new sand.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHb8Adc9ULpGB84pwU_vuYOD69znKA5hd-AZ13AysXfjueuDLSxfjEce9pQnFW-8Z2G7CJgpgl9wMS6rCHdQaZ2h79IBg9Rw8g7ilth_wgaO1WPeC1dmK7tSIZz6HS3INSO30/s640/blogger-image--1762747253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHb8Adc9ULpGB84pwU_vuYOD69znKA5hd-AZ13AysXfjueuDLSxfjEce9pQnFW-8Z2G7CJgpgl9wMS6rCHdQaZ2h79IBg9Rw8g7ilth_wgaO1WPeC1dmK7tSIZz6HS3INSO30/s640/blogger-image--1762747253.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The north side of Little Dauphin Island Bay is enticing.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU26UEKRkIH_C5pKGWoaZ_uvFyvfFipKem3wUzsseKxWUfTRrO4h5W0E_OXRFs4Bcl9oco8JcR-ZkAWkULIED0qhowhUbnyls7Bu6UKPFYGWR-jjYeGCwms8uHAC1RAFZRZ4xL/s640/blogger-image--659308895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU26UEKRkIH_C5pKGWoaZ_uvFyvfFipKem3wUzsseKxWUfTRrO4h5W0E_OXRFs4Bcl9oco8JcR-ZkAWkULIED0qhowhUbnyls7Bu6UKPFYGWR-jjYeGCwms8uHAC1RAFZRZ4xL/s640/blogger-image--659308895.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All the sand that was moved to Sand Island Lighthouse has been swept away.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBa_rglbznkMDJ7gwrkMJAThH_zW5lk8FDpYtDFGPg6nFgORS_qWozTBOuZMERz9PuSWjF2wGyCAg4nZxGGI27cdsTbYyPKfVj_Gwv3zw1s53Sk8ucR5BFEDXoH_JO4PjfWUEo/s640/blogger-image-336726106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBa_rglbznkMDJ7gwrkMJAThH_zW5lk8FDpYtDFGPg6nFgORS_qWozTBOuZMERz9PuSWjF2wGyCAg4nZxGGI27cdsTbYyPKfVj_Gwv3zw1s53Sk8ucR5BFEDXoH_JO4PjfWUEo/s640/blogger-image-336726106.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Mobile Bay ship channel is next to the lighthouse so you may get to some big ships up close while kayaking near the lighthouse. A porpoise or dolphin jumps out of the water while playing in the ship's bow wake.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GQmNyfJZhUXnZEkExc5xQQkyCt6_mtICjuSllXbvViS7S-EXphN29HsqsGxpFczE1K7fOSzCFwJLR5_yxTW6kViNtMCUb3YlcoBsAvhEc9ewkiGHhiWME-IDaWVE4edhl3PD/s640/blogger-image--916153187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GQmNyfJZhUXnZEkExc5xQQkyCt6_mtICjuSllXbvViS7S-EXphN29HsqsGxpFczE1K7fOSzCFwJLR5_yxTW6kViNtMCUb3YlcoBsAvhEc9ewkiGHhiWME-IDaWVE4edhl3PD/s640/blogger-image--916153187.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Not much of a wake from this big ship hauling railroad cars.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyT6nglRFq65SbqfzjN7M47jzIlvwGNMjOJgyzcAK4TqKTGXlXts9R0uUbfG1kj4N0_JUJ6wIc0uvcvlYux9GnM70pBsma3s7B2c7DYImDm1HWzrNHK-S-wI7NmJbRPD-odUJ/s640/blogger-image-1028484548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyT6nglRFq65SbqfzjN7M47jzIlvwGNMjOJgyzcAK4TqKTGXlXts9R0uUbfG1kj4N0_JUJ6wIc0uvcvlYux9GnM70pBsma3s7B2c7DYImDm1HWzrNHK-S-wI7NmJbRPD-odUJ/s640/blogger-image-1028484548.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Fort Morgan ferry passes nearby as I head back across Mobile Bay on this Double Crosser kayak trip.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieV6fj3i9_i5-vJ5PApY8Fjwwp0HHJJekYuGqHHEIg4id_vl1a5fSGSXv6PYuXpmtsnqhoBJbsQCGJfRgcKwqo_RYTeu7Lomntc76oLrGJTd4JX2vOQa8VDUSQNFk4KGyJUikf/s640/blogger-image-979065842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieV6fj3i9_i5-vJ5PApY8Fjwwp0HHJJekYuGqHHEIg4id_vl1a5fSGSXv6PYuXpmtsnqhoBJbsQCGJfRgcKwqo_RYTeu7Lomntc76oLrGJTd4JX2vOQa8VDUSQNFk4KGyJUikf/s640/blogger-image-979065842.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Pelicans flying nearby with an oil rig visible in the background.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDh2IPq_I_2QdFX_1el0ETgGDgjnggKzut6PDQ3Vqoet7FzQGzPiVN6F-yI4kBYPLehyphenhyphenvDFFIawD57a2fzCdgdHNJ8MXgtHNQVSUNlSWDlh1Opkg-1e5oxAlKH9H9LQzHgenPE/s640/blogger-image-1384233478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDh2IPq_I_2QdFX_1el0ETgGDgjnggKzut6PDQ3Vqoet7FzQGzPiVN6F-yI4kBYPLehyphenhyphenvDFFIawD57a2fzCdgdHNJ8MXgtHNQVSUNlSWDlh1Opkg-1e5oxAlKH9H9LQzHgenPE/s640/blogger-image-1384233478.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Unique looking beach house.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyXI5qZbtZXwo8gwhBLdQVaM3rBkTj-H-7Ugwk1SokhbwhdlzkJLGtR3gbsRwjdliAU3qIOew2zBSMtVq7Hzo5oyJY2yqd106Q5ay9PBtgZSZEkQ_Ge8Ks5W7ijZzIYw63WA1/s640/blogger-image--1276369093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyXI5qZbtZXwo8gwhBLdQVaM3rBkTj-H-7Ugwk1SokhbwhdlzkJLGtR3gbsRwjdliAU3qIOew2zBSMtVq7Hzo5oyJY2yqd106Q5ay9PBtgZSZEkQ_Ge8Ks5W7ijZzIYw63WA1/s640/blogger-image--1276369093.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Nifty looking plant sculpture.</div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11387505.post-78347540088957666842016-04-09T20:46:00.001-05:002016-04-09T20:50:56.062-05:00Paynes Creek<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwzxtyCR4O13uwPEnu15zNXf1ZybTcZcPP0pVT7XDBvXOiCpDlO2dWwpHZ_oFenRkSVrvFe1sbnkYSKiYm29YIFZV7sR23om316dm_cZ7Dqv9iP0hHthzgwl2qmpvzRKbEWpq/s640/blogger-image-424964201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwzxtyCR4O13uwPEnu15zNXf1ZybTcZcPP0pVT7XDBvXOiCpDlO2dWwpHZ_oFenRkSVrvFe1sbnkYSKiYm29YIFZV7sR23om316dm_cZ7Dqv9iP0hHthzgwl2qmpvzRKbEWpq/s640/blogger-image-424964201.jpg"></a><div>Goose keeping its eggs warm.<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjndd4-AvrDxsDtuBJCCtlaXudU84HNumoiV03AuQNJgLFG-dA-RH3ZSueGEMYQRx2adkPHDfvzCvL0CHOcynPVtwgrg1RGOBGP6U5LGPaZ8niti611awmme6Xs4_NJ7YE-JV/s640/blogger-image-1352686779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjndd4-AvrDxsDtuBJCCtlaXudU84HNumoiV03AuQNJgLFG-dA-RH3ZSueGEMYQRx2adkPHDfvzCvL0CHOcynPVtwgrg1RGOBGP6U5LGPaZ8niti611awmme6Xs4_NJ7YE-JV/s640/blogger-image-1352686779.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mosquito breeding boat.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4nzAuxyRYqKXX2gfRTz0fMld50EI4h_x_L2aAzwwHKwWk1H-o2J1R9jSfwGexSyqEmQdylvRJUKw-SetpX6M_XXd8U_JYeaaeKD87gBXtoL9C7axey3JB_i0cro-dPDPcBOh/s640/blogger-image--1105018936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4nzAuxyRYqKXX2gfRTz0fMld50EI4h_x_L2aAzwwHKwWk1H-o2J1R9jSfwGexSyqEmQdylvRJUKw-SetpX6M_XXd8U_JYeaaeKD87gBXtoL9C7axey3JB_i0cro-dPDPcBOh/s640/blogger-image--1105018936.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Uh oh. No touch this flower. Poison Ivy.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwMGe0x6AB0m3nWao3QPE-oe6Fu6bVFu8Nau36Ivq0Wd0vkerThhzua6MivfjZF8myTr1WTwZw0f-hl1409-3Bt7305vPTmKC2-3ZHp8QOSr5HLKMPtdJlUmLvevlwo3F6IND/s640/blogger-image-1209271962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwMGe0x6AB0m3nWao3QPE-oe6Fu6bVFu8Nau36Ivq0Wd0vkerThhzua6MivfjZF8myTr1WTwZw0f-hl1409-3Bt7305vPTmKC2-3ZHp8QOSr5HLKMPtdJlUmLvevlwo3F6IND/s640/blogger-image-1209271962.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Convict caterpillars munching on a Spider Lily.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUBtMSQt8yFmdMbCmhg9SLnWaQCza4CfshNmcdGOBzwkFf6YSuakeQa1VsS1YUEGECUwKIzLWz1TYSMrvzprLW9JUNSeoJLCAsijl2O4wcjSwu4YxwKWXA0iNcAaY52V1BqzV/s640/blogger-image-20053183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUBtMSQt8yFmdMbCmhg9SLnWaQCza4CfshNmcdGOBzwkFf6YSuakeQa1VsS1YUEGECUwKIzLWz1TYSMrvzprLW9JUNSeoJLCAsijl2O4wcjSwu4YxwKWXA0iNcAaY52V1BqzV/s640/blogger-image-20053183.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Closeup reveals caterpiller legs are rather complex.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiq-1JmwsbR3oLYPMBXBfEvkiRqL8CWKImg2YcgPzpSxDHGzjCPs0OTFPK0uicOlpnK-Hc8lGnXJ58SP8P2g4xrkpqPubsHZnFZ58fhUXdrxvAUMmVxzWcI_hQj-23tkVDJjc/s640/blogger-image--877639361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiq-1JmwsbR3oLYPMBXBfEvkiRqL8CWKImg2YcgPzpSxDHGzjCPs0OTFPK0uicOlpnK-Hc8lGnXJ58SP8P2g4xrkpqPubsHZnFZ58fhUXdrxvAUMmVxzWcI_hQj-23tkVDJjc/s640/blogger-image--877639361.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Saw an alligator which is a rare thing in Dog River Watershed. Unfortunately this alligator died way too young or someone killed it.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGQc0hTZl1lT6FH43i82wj-2XzSHcn94E5pIPza6M3VASrxjGFcCqqWLLMcoV8MqdnYfhzxiW5wPMg2sywtJVE7HXL-QKtPxhiPS8oRblJ8sWJeuX2YlZmZdwT9y_afcJPaZ0/s640/blogger-image--2028917197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGQc0hTZl1lT6FH43i82wj-2XzSHcn94E5pIPza6M3VASrxjGFcCqqWLLMcoV8MqdnYfhzxiW5wPMg2sywtJVE7HXL-QKtPxhiPS8oRblJ8sWJeuX2YlZmZdwT9y_afcJPaZ0/s640/blogger-image--2028917197.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sunset on Dog River.</div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11387505.post-1429567689493084482016-04-04T05:43:00.001-05:002016-04-04T05:45:05.688-05:00Slugfest<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9o3etknhBtDvVxYa0BtOlwye4yb7qPLbG_HaZDUe8MPEZzQToMl2PlxLAWQrFO3UO2FPLx1CEl967kfVui1kXNLRiXp7jzAOCB0hKegHFF_l0ieOsjCKi1sVRVXhJrS7Kh-wU/s640/blogger-image--1503055134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9o3etknhBtDvVxYa0BtOlwye4yb7qPLbG_HaZDUe8MPEZzQToMl2PlxLAWQrFO3UO2FPLx1CEl967kfVui1kXNLRiXp7jzAOCB0hKegHFF_l0ieOsjCKi1sVRVXhJrS7Kh-wU/s640/blogger-image--1503055134.jpg"></a><div>Are trees growing eyes?<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGejCDue3i6UFGQOCrii3okwb0zbYxntW55sz2m-EzB3IsPEs2Sc5fCsLu6InfJIP3HpyML-K4dK50_7_DCufYBeFqF43KFJErnj68QOG2_qe8YMFrJ4NF1t-y2oiInig3ucU/s640/blogger-image--1648282954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGejCDue3i6UFGQOCrii3okwb0zbYxntW55sz2m-EzB3IsPEs2Sc5fCsLu6InfJIP3HpyML-K4dK50_7_DCufYBeFqF43KFJErnj68QOG2_qe8YMFrJ4NF1t-y2oiInig3ucU/s640/blogger-image--1648282954.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Is that poop about to come out of this tree's sphincter?</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmrp2_y5ee9G_mLXy12WvX3vBFUfx80Mkr947UyUCEAUjTl2g4IMfKSklGGjHcpV8BeKG0QKMH2bi0IgNkTwHN7FlLV5v4LexQA-O6yr7BT9rpkgkbAyJ_qYSuxu1ax7p4MMA/s640/blogger-image--1624246614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmrp2_y5ee9G_mLXy12WvX3vBFUfx80Mkr947UyUCEAUjTl2g4IMfKSklGGjHcpV8BeKG0QKMH2bi0IgNkTwHN7FlLV5v4LexQA-O6yr7BT9rpkgkbAyJ_qYSuxu1ax7p4MMA/s640/blogger-image--1624246614.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">No, it is a slugfest in a tree hole. Seven or more 3-4 inch long <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Carolina Mantle Slugs (Philomycus carolinianus) were hunting their favorite food: fungus. Or maybe the slugs were using their love darts on each other.</span></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11387505.post-13302286516270720622016-03-31T19:19:00.001-05:002016-03-31T19:39:12.410-05:00Paddling Chickasaw Creek<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG67BvHt1pRA6e1z_GbXatbh_tiVO1LW6jJMkOtsSJfXr6KX7aIXyupWnZaHbCI5IXvwiYSweDOndNJFfnyFFK1wDUKqIOepV0JYyo5j8jjsEa079lpO2B8eO0prR57aw_EhkE/s640/blogger-image--99812338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG67BvHt1pRA6e1z_GbXatbh_tiVO1LW6jJMkOtsSJfXr6KX7aIXyupWnZaHbCI5IXvwiYSweDOndNJFfnyFFK1wDUKqIOepV0JYyo5j8jjsEa079lpO2B8eO0prR57aw_EhkE/s640/blogger-image--99812338.jpg"></a><div>Golden Club flowers still in bloom amongst the shoreline trash.<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyt1cp1Lruv4ABsTUN_VGGMnW7MxwrGkcFMEzl70U7jfznIC0__I-bOJQbiW2lsn9nkDynPTuiADeX-dvO5f-fni8AHc4Y85nRZIm72ob6LvlxwWGdZhHvc1QxYqm5lp8_Ywo/s640/blogger-image--1722254656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyt1cp1Lruv4ABsTUN_VGGMnW7MxwrGkcFMEzl70U7jfznIC0__I-bOJQbiW2lsn9nkDynPTuiADeX-dvO5f-fni8AHc4Y85nRZIm72ob6LvlxwWGdZhHvc1QxYqm5lp8_Ywo/s640/blogger-image--1722254656.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Green Treefrog. That straight line is abandoned fishing line found adorning many of the shoreline shrubs in Alabama.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhdP1BxJ6229ZInPvy8odrV-VgVJvzHVtYCFXhyoDx84i_XH8GNlmxYYKOGlzrnPinSa9m6S9jqmZlVREQnQT3awC61yxECZQLoq0NeDVPNH8nLSkPYmXKxQxnQrTU07U709I/s640/blogger-image-637842601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhdP1BxJ6229ZInPvy8odrV-VgVJvzHVtYCFXhyoDx84i_XH8GNlmxYYKOGlzrnPinSa9m6S9jqmZlVREQnQT3awC61yxECZQLoq0NeDVPNH8nLSkPYmXKxQxnQrTU07U709I/s640/blogger-image-637842601.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Why do turtles climb trees? That is how turtles get a natural high. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Nah, just kidding. The turtles are really getting out of the water and climbing high for another perspective to figure out what all that unnatural trash is in their polluted Alabama waterway habitat.</div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11387505.post-34422374448487604242016-03-29T23:32:00.001-05:002016-03-29T23:32:58.516-05:00The Value of Shoreline Vegetation<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxqczfID1X9c29mlAD6uCFI_xBfd-Yq6BwR7sOroM-W7h9vcMOtVf1b8fexGry4QTZ1EFrMYpUx6lqS-XlBmLxAfO-MLWXPtx4QA_jUrokAQPrsagHLimwK2tKBRcjYDIHYN6/s640/blogger-image--1508701765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxqczfID1X9c29mlAD6uCFI_xBfd-Yq6BwR7sOroM-W7h9vcMOtVf1b8fexGry4QTZ1EFrMYpUx6lqS-XlBmLxAfO-MLWXPtx4QA_jUrokAQPrsagHLimwK2tKBRcjYDIHYN6/s640/blogger-image--1508701765.jpg"></a><div>Shoreline vegetation like black needlerush seen above absorb wave energy that boat wakes send to the shoreline. Shoreline vegetation prevents shoreline erosion.<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WJrx6IGzSrA3-GS5HZpi4lzpIezW5khxRqccg6gmMSmEOdJchFz9L9udz7g1BXHj4hLbxkWwp3H3_y7Chq50fl4rQBPWslHuBB3OXrT01Y6cuP8snHgpAXiAG4lu67qOzYjR/s640/blogger-image--132016085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WJrx6IGzSrA3-GS5HZpi4lzpIezW5khxRqccg6gmMSmEOdJchFz9L9udz7g1BXHj4hLbxkWwp3H3_y7Chq50fl4rQBPWslHuBB3OXrT01Y6cuP8snHgpAXiAG4lu67qOzYjR/s640/blogger-image--132016085.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Above is the lot nextdoor to the 1st photo that lacks shoreline vegetation and the consequence is continued shoreline erosion from boat wakes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11387505.post-60360837176923774142016-03-27T09:18:00.001-05:002016-03-27T09:19:56.176-05:00Bayou Chateauguay<div><br></div><div>You can change the name of a polluted creek but you cannot change its image without changing its image.</div><div><br></div><div>A bicycle group wants to change the name of polluted Three Mile Creek <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">to Bayou Chateauguay which no one will ever be able to pronounce. The bicycle group also wants a 10-12 mile bicycle trail built along the creek.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I say, do not waste a dime of money on the polluted Three Mile Creek until the City of Mobile respects and values their waterway asset enough to remove the trash from its trashy shorelines.</span></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDwqtsqVn0bPEse89rWJ67oVn56sGgw5RHZpCJQ9GQb80Z5-tc1pVkKte37CrvHmPYp37UoNSfep7VpGdQ6hXRStPTb5xmrCKHFPUA-52CqlNGX0iEcvFaC7xYOi985EQVhp6/s640/blogger-image--2071397259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDwqtsqVn0bPEse89rWJ67oVn56sGgw5RHZpCJQ9GQb80Z5-tc1pVkKte37CrvHmPYp37UoNSfep7VpGdQ6hXRStPTb5xmrCKHFPUA-52CqlNGX0iEcvFaC7xYOi985EQVhp6/s640/blogger-image--2071397259.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here is what the shoreline typically looks like along the last few miles of Three Mile Trash Creek. This photo merge was taken yesterday.</div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11387505.post-35195330959953686332016-03-26T21:20:00.001-05:002016-03-26T21:28:23.361-05:00What do fish see?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARxZTRkknZ4ExJgYaJk8y30mxNPTwJmC-lJfwVPIhhtcFTCjaF8KEQsE9nJJXKH-b9G5Zlk5YI_9pE4DsKGRB8uS3S1xpQTUr3xsqpd1eqDrmlOAMk_7FptKfJcdM_qxyW-RU/s640/blogger-image--2100036191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARxZTRkknZ4ExJgYaJk8y30mxNPTwJmC-lJfwVPIhhtcFTCjaF8KEQsE9nJJXKH-b9G5Zlk5YI_9pE4DsKGRB8uS3S1xpQTUr3xsqpd1eqDrmlOAMk_7FptKfJcdM_qxyW-RU/s640/blogger-image--2100036191.jpg"></a><div><br></div><div>Ever notice that fish tend to jump from the water much more frequently as the sun is setting like seen in the above photo? It makes me wonder what fish see from their eyeballs. I think the fish are jumping out of the water because they enjoy the colors of the sunset best seen out of the water.<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1D15O0roRNf83NzW4U0W80DmXURRuQ9HfqXgRky0N7nby0P48rezVfdN5b0X96A6ShDMNZHWraNBWieK-01jntTeEd9z46ZFCjrwtsckpVjWLRVIVQzZR5Lk09R-7i-IH6IQt/s640/blogger-image--1736249946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1D15O0roRNf83NzW4U0W80DmXURRuQ9HfqXgRky0N7nby0P48rezVfdN5b0X96A6ShDMNZHWraNBWieK-01jntTeEd9z46ZFCjrwtsckpVjWLRVIVQzZR5Lk09R-7i-IH6IQt/s640/blogger-image--1736249946.jpg"></a></div></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11387505.post-86937291894315383182016-03-25T09:08:00.001-05:002016-03-25T14:31:16.902-05:00Overlooked Scenery<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">While kayaking, it seems natural to take photos of reptiles, birds, scenic views and trash. Those are the things our eyes are quick to see. Something normally overlooked is Lichen (LIE-kin).</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuJvbNNageU88ZOtTLc335UUuXWmbvmEw2Pcd0pBrj5owYYCuyRo4MVEpSoX4UA-s8Jrbq3j9aTitltV2bEyShxKl7VbWQR_9reMEM3IpaEVCNcr8LLGiR2JdhKDVv7Bw81ss/s640/blogger-image-739134272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuJvbNNageU88ZOtTLc335UUuXWmbvmEw2Pcd0pBrj5owYYCuyRo4MVEpSoX4UA-s8Jrbq3j9aTitltV2bEyShxKl7VbWQR_9reMEM3IpaEVCNcr8LLGiR2JdhKDVv7Bw81ss/s640/blogger-image-739134272.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Several different species of lichen on this tree limb. Note the brown spots near the top of the photo.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiLnXcJrOFuTMwatT8UizX1bW8meldRvuXDnZVQLbNId1xfTbbvGhLZDoXjrD_i89Zo3-GCbDNmZ7PyAd0WPA9CKMUKqCXFIb1LU4u2tk_owvNV6pLzl-GDV1bSMqQdxEsnzS/s640/blogger-image--2000246580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiLnXcJrOFuTMwatT8UizX1bW8meldRvuXDnZVQLbNId1xfTbbvGhLZDoXjrD_i89Zo3-GCbDNmZ7PyAd0WPA9CKMUKqCXFIb1LU4u2tk_owvNV6pLzl-GDV1bSMqQdxEsnzS/s640/blogger-image--2000246580.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here is a lichen that looks a little like a pile of skulls.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlI7Psoev8ihxNh3-Ui5rzgoOCjKd5t-2TV-b2-n7UK4gfXJ5QLxemHTC_pTpi6xGmOmS7Mm3KRHJvrg_UcCdEf84-OmfHhL3wNjInCZS7_TCvP-3YWeVDeitpa_3ZMsvc2sDl/s640/blogger-image-660200198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlI7Psoev8ihxNh3-Ui5rzgoOCjKd5t-2TV-b2-n7UK4gfXJ5QLxemHTC_pTpi6xGmOmS7Mm3KRHJvrg_UcCdEf84-OmfHhL3wNjInCZS7_TCvP-3YWeVDeitpa_3ZMsvc2sDl/s640/blogger-image-660200198.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lichen can have a powdery like surface (left) or it can looked ruffled (right) and have hairs growing from it.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Hj8Qnct3XLAMjJ45FnbZ0rLQ1yp9xht-HepUKActGkYFsg_chE85vwSYl8z_MCiaDwHANkMXZIqqlKNl8vdHn9TtkO_WziZeAL_a9OA7KbnaiVqGg4gX8J3ODXUSeF_Qi1Kc/s640/blogger-image--172875049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Hj8Qnct3XLAMjJ45FnbZ0rLQ1yp9xht-HepUKActGkYFsg_chE85vwSYl8z_MCiaDwHANkMXZIqqlKNl8vdHn9TtkO_WziZeAL_a9OA7KbnaiVqGg4gX8J3ODXUSeF_Qi1Kc/s640/blogger-image--172875049.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lichen can be wirey looking and have mushroom like protuberences.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5uUPUtsC0XPj9mZmw8S0XjxKvzHui41wviy6AeWxyv8gVh2q5FG67dpD7z9eqnab5nzYTtyUemuxcgRO_Aq9HbLlsgWriRevUPt4oHsakT_LzBs6tFj-h7flVq6FVttIGP5x/s640/blogger-image--287154579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5uUPUtsC0XPj9mZmw8S0XjxKvzHui41wviy6AeWxyv8gVh2q5FG67dpD7z9eqnab5nzYTtyUemuxcgRO_Aq9HbLlsgWriRevUPt4oHsakT_LzBs6tFj-h7flVq6FVttIGP5x/s640/blogger-image--287154579.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lichen can be colorful like this rust colored one providing beautiful contrasts and hues. </div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgy50B44TzSLgsnvvarrwDCQn4p_LVXaCjOgePXMm54aePxbTyrf_RocjcdpPl9U4kCK5S5pApes2_pezH_GjKfNqI2BCIOqK7TgCdsZZ4U12BgRUrhiRRSP07o7re4e1EmPb/s640/blogger-image-1121733700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgy50B44TzSLgsnvvarrwDCQn4p_LVXaCjOgePXMm54aePxbTyrf_RocjcdpPl9U4kCK5S5pApes2_pezH_GjKfNqI2BCIOqK7TgCdsZZ4U12BgRUrhiRRSP07o7re4e1EmPb/s640/blogger-image-1121733700.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here is a lichen that has raised black button like texture.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyBjJKpppG5_xVA7ij_CtrWP6jQoZeM9DZwEC8OCDA14CMvh0-UcXHSKA5q7DEwAN05hlCKXeAkf10eegLwp9UtDbdTfzr9NqVCug6X0Fke1wP_iIdBVt1dUG67Xh0XhsLZ9j/s640/blogger-image--1683616937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyBjJKpppG5_xVA7ij_CtrWP6jQoZeM9DZwEC8OCDA14CMvh0-UcXHSKA5q7DEwAN05hlCKXeAkf10eegLwp9UtDbdTfzr9NqVCug6X0Fke1wP_iIdBVt1dUG67Xh0XhsLZ9j/s640/blogger-image--1683616937.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here is a lichen that looks like old school textbook images of dividing bacteria.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There are approximately 3600 different species of Lichen in North America. It is reported that Lichens are the dominate vegetation on about 8 percent of the Earth's land surfaces.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yet most people would not be able to identify and name a single species of Lichen if their life depended on it even though Lichens are so abundant. That is the sad state of outdoor science in the world today. The less people know about our living planet the less they will take responsible care of it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Interestingly, Lichens which are so ignored are being used to gauge how severe air pollution is. Lichen could all die tomorrow and most people would never notice. That is sad.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So, next time you go out kayaking, or on a walk, put the phone away and slow down to look more closely at what is causing the different colors on tree trunks and tree branches. A magnifying glass will help enhance the view. There is much mystery and beauty in Lichens. All the above photos were taken yesterday while seated in the kayak.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There is also a superb book about Lichens available which can usually be found online for under a hundred dollars. "Lichens of North America" by Brodo, Sharnoff and Sharnoff. The nearly 1000 stunning photographs alone make it a valuable coffee table book for guests to enjoy thumbing through the photography. The science behind Lichens and the detailed species information and distribition maps, plus the identification keys make the large 795 page book the authoritative reference guide to Lichens.</div></div></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11387505.post-16653512072156179112016-03-23T10:45:00.001-05:002016-03-23T10:47:13.918-05:00Silver Turtle<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAVNRE_uQcOEBZWwXZSzhY5Sv28We8SSRfAc68X96qdOeASAaklQa7VgNIkJ08IRSfS0MiDPmJj0rPbBYNYoEiWI2QqNTw5xiRlgQGxb0pgpYbre_kwXFh6RQ1THGdUDMy6Z9/s640/blogger-image--1175921576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAVNRE_uQcOEBZWwXZSzhY5Sv28We8SSRfAc68X96qdOeASAaklQa7VgNIkJ08IRSfS0MiDPmJj0rPbBYNYoEiWI2QqNTw5xiRlgQGxb0pgpYbre_kwXFh6RQ1THGdUDMy6Z9/s640/blogger-image--1175921576.jpg"></a><div>An odd thing occurred while kayaking in the trash polluted Moore Creek in Mobile Alabama. A silver turtle surfaced next to the kayak. A new species? Nah.</div><div><br></div><div>Upon closer scrutiny it appeared the turtle was blind perhaps caused by whoever had spray painted the turtle with silver paint. The chemicals in spray paint like toulene can kill small animals. What a sad sight.</div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866301314973230977noreply@blogger.com1