Gulf Coast Life

[Every Miles A Memory]

I've been trying to work on a Gallery I've Named Gulf Coast Life - A gallery that I'll do my best to document life as it was BEFORE the oil hit and ruined a way of life that these fisherman have known for generations along this coastline

Here are some of my favorites. If you live or visit the Gulf Coast, Feel free to post up your photos so others can share and see what we have to lose!

Only a Fisherman who's spent his life throwing a cast net can land them this perfect - Danny Beckham fishing at Sunirse in Cedar Key

Conch Eggs atop the exposed grass beds with Danny looking for fresh scallops in the background

Clam Farmers working the Local Clam Beds off the coast of Cedar Key Florida at sunrise - Photo by my wife Cindy Bonish

13 year old TJ Pulling in a Lemon Shark off the Coast of Cedar Key at sunrise

 

[Wander]

Cool idea Pat, the before/after aspect is intriguing, this could be a big seller, are you going to publish?

Man those guys are much too close to that Lemon Sharks teeth for my taste, I saw a guy get a chunk of his forearm taken from a mako that way-those sharks don't like being gaffed.

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

It took so long to real this baby in, it was about a 8 footer, that it was too tired to do anything other than lie in the bottom of the boat and rest.

They unhooked it, made sure it wasnt injured and released it. As soon as it hit the water, it rolled over and took off.

You should have seen Cindy when they pulled it in the boat. We were only in about a 16' boat, so when that sucker came in, I thought she was going out the other side :Wow1:

Depending on how many photos I can get, I'm thinking of putting a book together. I might be heading up to the Pan Handle next week where the oil is already hitting the shores to get some of that footage.

And my Sister-In-Law is trying to get me on a boat out on the Gulf off of New Orleans with Anderson Cooper to get real close to where they're burning the oil on the water. Tons of stuff in the pipeline (Sorry, bad pun) so I'll keep updating as I find new stuff to document

 

[Wander]

That sounds like a plan, Pat. People with your talent need to be documenting this tragedy to keep reminding the rest of the country what we are losing and maybe they will finally take a closer look at the lives and the waste connected to it. It's not just gas in your tank that comes from the Gulf. I've been watching the flow maps and seeing it creep closer and closer to your key.

 

[photoman]

Very cool Pat. I wish I was in the area or had the availability to just take off down there for a couple months.

Look forward to seeing more images!

 

[Mr. Leary]

It would be good to have an excellent photographer such as yourself put together a book to help others understand what has happened. There are some things that are just best said via image!

 

[Safado]

The gallery looks great Pat, keep up the good work while you can.

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

Thanks for the comments Guys! I'll do my best to keep adding more images to the gallery

 

[DrMoab]

If we come visit...can you get me a ride on an airboat?

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

If we come visit...can you get me a ride on an airboat?

Yep, no problem!

 

[Lost Canadian]

Keep up the good work Pat, and keep that shutter firing. You may be intersted in this site as well. Joel Sartore who works for Nat. Geo. is associated with Defenders and he's also been very active in getting the message out there with what's happening and what is being lost. I think it's vitally important that people really see what's going on, and that we document this point in time as best as we can.

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

Thanks Trevor! I checked out that site and friended them on Facebook so I can keep up with their events and what they're doing

I think the more people documenting this the better

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

Only along the Gulf Coast will you find Million Dollar yachts anchored behind a crumbling shack :sombrero:

 

[Pskhaat]

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

Great additions to the thread!! That is one fat gator tail