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Gretna, LA
3:15pm

We went to Pass a Loutre on 5/21/10, just as the oil was beginning to enter the area. Here's what it looked like.

Pass a Loutre is a series of waterways through marsh containing abundant birdlife. Photo by Kim Hubbard/̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Magazine

The oil has already taken over part of the marsh. Photo by Kim Hubbard/̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Magazine


The sticky oil clings to everything around it. Photo by Kim Hubbard/̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Magazine

The coastline was ringed with oil as far as the eye could see. Photo by Kim Hubbard/̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Magazine

Some areas had been completely overrun with the oil. Photo by Kim Hubbard/̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Magazine

An oiled Brown Pelican. Photo by Kim Hubbard/̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Magazine

Much of the oil sat on top of the water, giving it a 3D effect. Photo by Kim Hubbard/̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Magazine

Justin Nobel collects oiled water. Photo by Kim Hubbard/̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Magazine

Absorbent boom saturated with oil. Photo by Kim Hubbard/̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Magazine

It is nearly impossible to remove oil from areas with cane. Photo by Kim Hubbard/̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Magazine

The movement of the water creates psychedelic shapes. Photo by Kim Hubbard/̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Magazine

On our return, we passed a snowy egret in a still-pristine area of Pass a Loutre. Photo by Kim Hubbard/̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Magazine