Friday, March 30, 2007

Taking Flight

The sunlight made these street lights appear to be readying for take-off.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Mine! No, Mine!

Seagulls fighting over a cracker.



Click on picture to enlarge.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Regrowth

What do you do with Southern live oaks that died to the winds and waves of Hurricane Katrina? Most of the dead trees were bulldozed. But a group that used to stand in US 90's median in Biloxi have seen a regrowth. The trunks and branches were carved to reflect the wildlife that abounds along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Seagulls abound along the Mississippi Coast.


Deep-sea fishing is a favorite activity of locals and tourists. The most exciting fish to hook is the marlin. The other side is a dolphin.



Brown pelicans and great blue herons are also numerous along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. They are my favorite birds to photograph. The brown pelican is ungainly on land but has quiet majesty when flying. Great blue herons are very wary.



I think whoever did the carvings did a fantastic job. It is nice to see regrowth. And the Southern live oaks that survived are making a wonderful comeback.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Monday, March 26, 2007

Smokin Part II!

This rescue helicopter had to go investigate something in the harbor. When it whipped around the corner of the pier I was on, the blades dumped water on me and everyone else within 50 feet of the ned of the pier!



The hardest time I encountered is when the boats were grouped together. It was difficult because some of the boats were going so much faster than the others.





Sunday, March 25, 2007

Smokin Part I!

Smokin the Sound returned to Biloxi this weekend. It was canceled last year because of all the debris in the water from Hurricane Katrina. One of the boats, the Fountain, obtained speeds of 175mph! Smokin!!
The start of the race looked like something out of Apocalypse Now. Each boat had a helicopter.


At times, it looked like the boats were racing the helicopters instead of other boats.



They went by so fast, it was very difficult at times to get a good shot. The next two give an idea of the speed the boats were doing.




The Fountain was in the lead throughout the race.

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Friday, March 23, 2007

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Hurricane Hunters

The Hurricane Hunters are at Kessler Air Force Base in Biloxi Mississippi. They are the ones who get the data that NOAA uses to predict if a tropical disturbance is developing into a tropical storm or hurricane. The also gather data so that forecasters can predict whether a hurricane is gaining strength or weakening. I was able to take these pictures of one of the Hurricane Hunters while at the beach today.





Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Monday, March 19, 2007

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Saturday, March 17, 2007

Yellow & Blue



Repairs are zooming along on the Hard Rock Cafe Casino's barge/

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Skiff


On oyster skiff docked behind the slab of McElroy's Restaurant.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Kite Boarding

This looked like fun!



Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Monday, March 12, 2007

Cover Up


The parking garage for the Hard Rock Cafe Casino is being repaired. The casino is set to open sometime in July. It was supposed to open the day Hurricane Katrina hit. Let's hope this grand opening goes much, much, much better!

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Floats


Floats from a shrimp net. Shrimpers often leave their work on the sides of the piers. From December to April is downtime and is when the shrimpers repair their nets, boats, paint, and do other maintenance.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Friday, March 09, 2007

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Awash



Sea-Wash

The sea-wash never ends.
The sea-wash repeats, repeats.
Only old songs? Is that all the sea knows?
Only the old strong songs?
Is that all?
The sea-wash repeats, repeats.

Carl Sandburg

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Copper Roofs


The repairs to Moses Pier are almost complete!

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Monday, March 05, 2007

Sunday, March 04, 2007

Saturday, March 03, 2007

Walkway


About ten years ago, the city of Gulfport built a unique nature walk. The James Hill Walk has piers so that Bayou Bernard can be explored. There is a wealth of wildlife. I've been keeping my eye for the alligators that live there. I see their tracks but haven't seen any them since before Hurricane Katrina.

Friday, March 02, 2007

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Remains of the Day


Wednesday when I went to Small Craft Harbor in Gulfport, the remains of the White Cap Restaurant were being demolished. Nothing but the slab was left after Hurricane Katrina. It was sad to see a place that has such fond memories for me gone. The sun had just set and the lights from across the harbor give hope that what will be built in its place will be better and stronger in the future. Just like my community has become stronger and better because we are working together in Mississippi.