Coastal Research

Having a lot of fun with coastal research.  Great trip to the coast, Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, today.

Some photos and other info here:  www.thedeltaranch.blogspot.com

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 A friendly gator (we saw two gators and multiple dolphins, as well as amazing birds, fish...)

 LA-08 CWPPRA project used bioengineered rings to protect the coast near Rockefeller.  Growth is minimal so far.

 A beautiful oak or "chene" in French, helps define this coastal chenier ridge.

These folks are creative and optimistic - this place managed to have the car on the second floor, courtesy a hand built ramp composed of welded pipe and beams.  The figs, oranges and other plants were lovely as well.  Owner Dale invited us in to see the cypress lined interior and enjoy the 

 hummingbirds and grazing cows from the back porch.  

Suffice it to say that, while the Louisiana and Gulf coast are very rich in resources, both biological (fish, oysters...) and economic (shipping, oil...), not all of that wealth translates to the locals or ultimately helps protect the coast.  We are trying to find novel ways to value and protect the coast.

Frogs and Lizards: an evening in BR

I spotted the frog and lizard both on the screen, but by the time Dad got out to take a photo, the lizard moved up the wall.  - D

He blends in pretty well with the brick.  Well, time for bed now.  Love, D

Cleaning up

Well Hurricane Isaac is just a memory - or is it?  The huge tree in the back yard required some heavy equipment to cut and move, and we got to play on the logs (after Dad did a pretty extensive safety check to make sure the logs would not move).  Turns out the tree was only about 60 years old, but it was pretty big!

  

Clearcutting in the rainforest?  Why are the natives so happy?

Oh, it might just be (sub)urban America: I suppose they expect somebody to come and take their "stuff" away...Actually, these ones look like they could enjoy this stuff a little longer. This water oak had about 60 rings.  some rings were close to 1 cm across - these trees grow fast and they are heavy...

... so that means that, although "queen of the stump" is fun, the destruction from the tree and the heavy equipment makes this look more like a clearcut than a typical American backyard.  Doesn't seem to bother her (had to wash those new socks!).   Not to worry, in our rainforest area, the grass (or at least a healthy crop of weeds) will grow back in just a couple of weeks.  The stump, however, will likely be available on your next visit.  See you soon!