There were many thoughts going through my mind as I chose this particular photo. It’s a sunset over the Gulf of Mexico shot on Marco Island, FL, a little after the Deepwater Horizon disaster, but before anyone knew the true extent of the oil leak or how bad the situation would become over the weeks and months to follow.
I’m not certain we know the extent yet. Who do you trust to know and provided honest and full information?
Anyway, I don’t wish to climb on my soapbox so let’s say I selected this photo because I felt the sun going down over the gulf symbolic of perhaps many things associated with and dependent upon the gulf changing or possibly coming to an end soon. Sad, sick to my stomach and angry best describes my feelings concerning the ongoing gulf situation.
Hi Earl,
Yes, such a disaster. I can’t believe how long it is taking to fix the issue. With all the resources we have, especially the US Government, we still can’t stop the leak.
This is a great image and very pleasing colors.
Alan
Alan, thanks.
You aren’t alone in your feelings Earl. There isn’t much people away from the situation can do and that sucks!! I can only hope that when this thing finally gets under control, we as a nation will finally take seriously the addiction we have.
I’m afraid we as a nation have a terrible record when it comes to our short term memory, Mark. This will one day no longer be the front page story, we will drive off in our SUV’s and the oil companies will again make record profits. Sorry for being such a downer on this.
Earl this is just how my wife felt today with her pictures she brought back from Florida and I posted this morning.
I certainly understand the feelings, Don.
First, lovely shot. Definitely nice symbolism. But there’s another way to look at this… I have spent a lot of time on the ocean, and water is my favorite element. To me, the ocean is the most powerful life force on the planet. When I’m on the ocean, I think of the eons it has been surging back and forth. It creates, and destroys. It heals. It renews. I have faith in the ocean. She will take care of herself.
You may be right, in 5, 10 or 15 years the gulf may be back to pre-disaster conditions, Bob. But I’m not sure how many of those family fishermen or small businesses which depend upon the gulf will still be there. They depend upon making their annual incomes in these next few months.
Perhaps by then we’ll also still have a few Brown Pelicans left, they just came off the endangered list last year. Then there’s the sea turtles who use these oil soaked beaches for nesting and we won’t even mention the marshes if there’s a storm in the gulf this summer.
The effects of the Exxon Valdese is still being felt, we just don’t hear much about it because it’s not page one for the media. Faith in the ocean maybe, but the greed of the oil companies and politicians for sure.
On this one, I am not so sure. Our oceans are already under tremendous stress. Even if someday the ocean will “heal” – at what cost to its residents, the endangered species already at risk in the gulf, and the nurseries that the coastal wetlands provide?
This is a gorgeous photo—as perfect a rendition of the setting sun as anyone could hope for.
As for the message, I agree with Bob. The wounds won’t heal over night, no, not over many, many nights, but heal they will. With all that oil beneath the sea and the amount that seeps up naturally, the life force that is the ocean will work its wonders and the Gulf will be restored. My heart breaks for the animals and humans who will pass on before the healing is complete and, for them, the damage will have been fatal.
Thanks on the photo, Anita. I guess the one thing that is so maddening about this is that it sounds like it didn’t need to have happened. I believe if there’s a fair investigation there may be criminal charges but that will be of little comfort to those who have lost their livelihoods or the thousands of creatures who’ve died. As far as the oceans…you’ve heard of a death by a thousand cuts. This may not be the final one but….
It’s a sad situation that’s for sure. The pictures from the Louisiana coast are heart-breaking. I’m torn up by all disasters we are exposed to. The photos of the devastation left by wildfires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes—all leave me sad and worn. But, same with airplane crashes, car wrecks, train accidents. It seems these days we are inundated with such images. At any moment, somewhere in the world there is horror and lives ruined—at best. At worst the lives are lost, of course. I suppose we will know before too awfully long what criminal charges BP is liable for. The price tag is going to be a whopper on this one.
It certainly is sad, as are all those terrible events you’ve mentioned. I wonder if we’re not being somewhat numbed and hardened by the constant bombardment we face via our news media these days? Perhaps if the price tag is a whopper there will be a few lessons learned or remembered. Thanks for your feedback and comment.
I appreciate everyones comments and take on this, thanks. It is a terrible situation…but sadly just one of many people face these days. More light-hearted posts to follow, I promise. :-)