5 years later? Really? I can't believe that it has already been 5 years ago. The memories are as fresh as yesterday and many still gaze for oil on the beaches but very few find any evidence anymore. As I reflect back to all the news reports and satellite images of just how close the oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill came to the sugar white sandy shores of my home town of Pensacola,Florida, I can't help but breathe a sigh of relief. We watched the footage of oil as it encapsulated the coastlines of Louisiana, or Mississippi,Alabama and the outlying islands. We all saw the images of shorebirds and marine life as they washed ashore. I personally photographed oiled soaked pelicans from my backyard on the edge of Escambia Bay. An estuary miles away from the source of the spill. Day after day, we watched the underwater footage of the oil spewing from the damaged BP wellhead at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. Who could blame anyone for having difficulties dealing with the unknown and uncertainties of that rare event. But most kept strong and hoped for the best. Although many suffered, or wildlife died and the damage to the gulf is still being studied,we in Pensacola dodged a bullet. Or at least a direct hit. Along with photographing oiled soaked wildlife in my backyard, I also captured images of oiled soaked beaches that took my breath away and still can't believe how lucky we are that so many worked so tough to maintain the effects to a minimum. We all are grateful for the efforts many others during that time and for their continued efforts, and as we still see evidence of oil patches or tar balls on the beach. To this day,great concerns occur whenever a creature with any mysterious or unexplained death washes ashore. There is no way not to wonder whether it was a naturel death or effects of the spill. It is safe to say that we, at least here in Pensacola, or are safe and able to rise to the occasion. We're strong stock and the people who live on the Gulf are no strangers to devastating storms. Because,whether there is a Hurricane anywhere in the Gulf, chances are that we are gonna deal with some sort of issues. We are seasoned warriors and can handle tough times. The final time I snapped photos and uploaded an iReport on this topic, or the skies were also dark and grey,much like nowadays's photoshoot. But this time around, there was a peace and serenity of soaking my feet in the warm, or white sands. Unlike final time,when people came to these same shores to say goodbye to something very important to them, nowadays was the perfect example of how we can overcome anxiety and uncertainty. Being grateful for the fact that nature has a way of overcoming adversity. Folks who call the shores of the Gulf of Mexico their home are optimistic. Life has slowly gone back to normal. We possess worked tough to overcome the devastation and rebuild our lives. We will never forget that time, or 5 years ago,when our worlds were uncertain, and we watched the horizon for any signs of oil. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger.
Source: cnn.com