Enjoying a day at the Pascagoula River Audubon Center.
Late last week, a small group of Long Beach, Mississippi Hurricane Katrina survivors, known among themselves as “The Windy Brethren,” took a day off from work to enjoy a special reunion on a late morning, nature cruise of the Pascagoula River in eastern Harrison County, Mississippi.
Left-to-right: Emily, the Tree-Climbing Wonder Dog, your author Coast Rat, Master Naturalist John L., Mike L., Dr. Pam B., Pam D., Master Naturalist Andrea K, Ralph (Andrea’s spouse), David S.
The six, all senior administrators at the South Mississippi Regional Center (SMRC) in Long Beach, were the senior administrators who were on hand at the SMRC when the worst part of Hurricane Katrina, the northeast section, with its 135-mph winds, came shore on Aug. 29, 2005 and devastated the Mississippi Gulf Coast, including the grounds and facilities of the SMRC in Long Beach.
Andrea K. and Pam D. check out some of the bird feeders at the Pascagoula River Audubon Center.
After Katrina struck, and caused catastrophic damage, injuries and death in the Mississippi Gulf Coast area, with nearby roads blocked with hurricane debris, fallen trees and power lines, the group literally were stranded on the 45-acre campus, and had to handle crisis after crisis at the mental health facility in the hours and days during and immediately after the horrific storm.
Military helicopters brought in bottled water, ice and MREs to the SMRC, immediately after the storm had passed, with area roads blocked and grocery stores damaged or closed by the storm.
The homes of two of the “Windy Brethren,” Mike L. and John L., located north of Pass Christian on the Arcadia Bayou, although elevated high above the ground on pilings, still had almost five feet of flood water running through them, making them uninhabitable for many months afterwards. Those two administrators lived in a building on the SMRC campus while their homes were repaired by hurricane recovery volunteers.
The trying experience of responding to the difficult aftereffects of Katrina, served to strengthen previously close bonds and working relationships between the six administrators, who came to call themselves as “The Windy Brethren,” for having shared the hurricane experience and the mess it left, including the huge changes in their and their fellow employees lives, and that of the clients in their care.
Captain Lynn McCoy of McCoy’s Swamp and River Tours, at the helm and microphone during the nature cruise.
One of the nature scenes along the river’s edge during the cruise.
Dr. Pam on the cruise boat.
Another Pascagoula River scene.
David and Mike enjoy the cruise.
With the upcoming retirement of a couple of the “Brethren,” including that of the SMRC Director, Dr. Pam B., the group decided to get together for a special experience of going on a several hour nature boat cruise on the nearby Pascagoula River, the largest free-flowing, un-damed, river drainage in the continental United States.
Another river scene.
Master Naturalist Andrea K. scans the edge of the marsh along the river for wildlife.
Another river scene.
Master Naturalist John seems to be enjoying the cruise experience.
Your author was honored to be asked to accompany the group and photograph the cruise experience.
Emily, the Tree-Climbing Wonder Dog, looks for critters along the river during the cruise.
The “Windy Brethren,” consisting of Dr. Pam B., Master Naturalist John L., and his faithful sidekick, Emily, the Tree-Climbing Wonder Dog, Master Naturalist Andrea K., and her spouse, Ralph, Mike L., David S. and Pam D., and your author/photographer drove over to the Pascagoula River to the Pascagoula River Audubon Center, and boarded a large tour boat operated by the McCoy’s River and Swamp Tours, captained that trip by Lynn McCoy, for a 2 1/2 hour scenic tour.
The group spotted many species of birds during the cruise.
One of the many tree roots encountered during the trip.
Although the morning was rather windy and overcast much of the time, the tour through the river marsh and swamp areas was most interesting, wish various birds, flora and fauna observed, including several large Osprey.
Several Osprey were spotted during the cruise, including this one, carrying a fish in its talons as it flew away.
Pam D. on the tour boat.
This Osprey nest, high above the marsh, had an Osprey sitting in it.
Another Osprey with a fish.
We had hoped to see several large alligator critters lurking in the river, like the following fellows.
Unfortunately, though, with the air being a bit on the chilly side, none of these large, hungry reptiles were encountered during our tour.
However, your author did encounter numerous scalely critters, including the fellows shown above, only 24 hours later, a few miles to the east, on a farm in southern Alabama, in Summerdale, at Alligator Alley, where I snapped these alligator images.
If you ever have an opportunity to go on one of the Pascagoula River nature boat cruises, by all means, take advantage of it. It’s a most informative and interesting experience.
The Pascagoula River Audubon Center and McCoy’s Swamp and River Tours are located just east of the Pascagoula River bridge. It is suggested that you call ahead for the boat tour reservations.
After the cruise docked, the group retired to nearby Ocean Springs, to enjoy a brief, tasty repast at “The Shed,” an area eatery of some very favorable reputation.
Following a delicious lunch and lively conversation, the group bid each other ‘adieu,’ and split up to head out on their separate ways into the afternoon sunshine.
Lunch for “The Windy Brethren,” at The Shed, in Ocean Springs, after the Pascagoula River nature cruise. Left-to-right: Mike L., Pam D., Dr. Pam B., David S., Andrea K. and spouse Ralph, John L.
While the rest of the tour group headed west, towards Long Beach and Pass Christian, your author turned east, to travel over across the Florida state line, to Perdido Key, to join Wisconsin friends at a condo there, to spend a most enjoyable Easter family weekend in the sun and the sand.
But that is for another post.
Coast Rat 