Our barrier islands are disappearing with each passing storm and the coastline at the Gulf of Mexico is eroding at a fast pace. Too many abandoned oil and gas pipeline canals cut deeply through the fresh water marshes and allow the intrusion of salt water. Before the Mississippi River levees were built, the river flooded often and spread silt and freshwater to the marshes to nurture and sustain the marshlands. In my lifetime, I have seen first hand, the washing away of Louisiana's coastal wetlands. Fishing areas have drastically changed.
Many areas are no longer on the map, literally.
It is painful to see my hometown, the only place I want to live, the center of my world, just wash way. I believe that law, our great food and an ongoing mission to always have a good time are primarily responsible for New Orleans' popularity as a tourist and convention destination. Mardi Gras is March 7th this year. Thanks goes out to the Times Picayunne newspaper salesman who so kindly held the paper up for the shot. I captured this pano on Kodak PJ400 color negative film, with a Nikon N90s with a Sigma 14mm rectilinear lens, on a Peace River 3Sixty pano head.