Gulf Of Mexico Overflight 2011 March 22 Tuesday
Today we made two separate flights. On both flights we explored the Chandeleur Islands and south, and on the second flight we explored a large area from Grand Isle to 35 miles off shore, for about a 50-mile stretch from south of Grand Isle, LA westward to south of Isles Dernieres. Sad to say, we found extensive surface sheen in the latter area, along with much of the subsurface brownish-red plumes similar to what we saw the previous day near the Chandeleurs. (See video of the Grand Isle and southwestward areas taken the next day, Mar 23.) Today, we took many photos of the similarly strange-looking subsurface plumes and sreamers west and south of the Chandeleur Islands. The latter extended approximately 20 nm (nautical miles) NE-SW and was about 10 nm wide).
NOTE: Unless noted, no photos or video provided by On Wings Of Care are "photoshopped" or otherwise altered in any way that could degrade accurate interpretation of what we observed.
More photos are shown below, and we have many more that we haven't yet uploaded. We hope to have results of laboratory analyses of water samples from this area in the coming weeks. We spoke with the USCG about this and hope that the public will also hear explanation from them ... but suggest we not hold our breath for that, folks. Until we can say more definitively, we'll postpone writing a summary and instead include below for you the actual notes I wrote on my blackberry phone during both of these flights, which will give you some of the most critical location details (lat/longs in decimal degrees). The very fine photos were provided by James Scott and Robert Kerian from California, who came out here to help document the state of the Gulf at this time and who helped cover the aircraft operating expenses for these flights. Thank you, James and Robert!
For a google map of this or any other flight we've made in the preceding week, you can always go the SPOT share page, whose link is on the left side of our Home page. For this particular flight, you can also see a Google map that has the points in my notes together with the comments for each location, at the following link (thanks to Don Abrams for making this when I sent him these notes from my phone during the flight): http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=200251480223106232191.00049f174eb7ea91023a7&ll=29.691632,-88.840942&spn=0.553543,1.234589&t=h&z=
2011 Mar 22 Tuesday - 2 Gulf flights.
Here are Bonny's notes typed on her Blackberry and transmitted as possible during the flights.
Photos follow these notes below.
1. BLS, James West (for GRN), Jesse Fineran
KNEW - Chandeleurs - KNEW
29.86995. 089.03569
1 nm by 0.3 nm surface sheen, rainbow
About 10 nm w of chandeleurs
29.66361. 089.10732
Red plumes under
29.60283. 089.11828
More red plumes
Just N of gas platforms "Blk 2"
Just N of the gas platform is a jackup rig and supply boat
GPS #8138
29.54695. 089.14377
Big red line 2nm long sw to ne
Much bigger than the obvious leakage from many of the platforms
GPS #8139
29.52959 089.14745
GPS #8140
For at least 10 nm s sw and 2 nm wide deep red plumes and darker streamers
GPGS #8141
29.51247. 089.15601
Same, horrible
GPS #8142
29.49164 089.16125
Drilling plaform
Not related?
Bad stuff is well north of it
Small island here
Oh No!
Ne n ne w of the island thick red crap 0.3 mi wide
It's a rookerie!
A round gas(?) plant on the s side of the island
This ain't MS mud!
Oh no! Still here 10 nm south and west
GPS #8143
This is huge
Horrible
Climbed to 1500' for a wide shot
Clouds obscure slightly with shadows
But the streamers and plumes are shaped differently from cloud shadows.
Granite barge at 29.44409. 089.19831. Headed sw. Full. Why where? GPS #8144
For the drilling rig?
8145. 29.47268. 089.21986
A noaa buo
Plumes and streamers everywhere
I guess this IS massive
It's as far as we can see even at 1600'
We're heading back to knew to get the video gear.
Will get Grand Terre Island then.
Ed et al -- Distribute this as you wish.
Will have photos and video by late tonight.
Bonny
Bonny L. Schumaker-- Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
2. BLS, James West (for GRN), Robert ____ (for GRN)
KNEW - Grand Isle - 30 nm south - 30 nm west - N to Isles Dernieres - NE to south of Chandeleurs - KNEW
Starting 10 nm s of grand isle,
Surface rainbow sheen
Then the deep red plumes
28.90051 090.00054
Many large tanker-like ships parked plus smaller ones with long orange pipe-like floating tubes and buoys.
Bubbles at the surface about 20 m away from the bigger ships all around them.
28.90. 090.50
Surface light sheen, distinct but little rainbow visible.
Some of the deep red stuff further east - south of grand isle but not seen south of terrabonne bay. Lots of wind rows so we took care to circle often to be sure we were seeing sheen.
Now headed back to chandeleurs via grand isle, will check closer to shore enroute.
Port fourchon beaches:
South, starting half mile off shore - large expanse of rainbow sheen and some subsurface plumes. At least 10 miles e-w.
Basically this surface sheen is almost everywhere from a few miles off shore south (we were as far as about 30 nm off shore, from S of Isles Dernieres to S of grand terre island.
Hard to see subsurface plumes in this low light and very murky rough water.
No animals except a few dolphins about 30 nm S of Isles Dernieres.
Now back to chandeleurs:
50nm 137 deg from KNEW the red stuff starts.
But light angle is too low to get video or good photos, oh well. The plumes are there tho.
Back to knew.
Bonny L. Schumaker-- Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Pellie Lou!
"The Story of Pellie Lou - a Pelican who survived the Gulf of Mexico oil spill"
by Bonny L. Schumaker, Ph.D.
With 46 photos from the Gulf of Mexico.
ALL proceeds go to benefit Gulf wildlife!
Order your autographed hard copies or an electronic copy here!
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You can track our paths for several days after them, when we keep our GPS "SPOT" transmitter on "Track" mode. For the latest flights, see
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Read about our rescues under Rescue Tails!
Here are some samples:
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20130428 - This 15-yr-old deaf, blind, arthritic senior held out in a hot, dry, desert parking lot until love finally found him!
CHAZ - No Ordinary Extraordinary Cur!
20130422 - Left to die but instead, this super-intelligent deep-hearted dog discovered love, family, and even fun -- from the most unlikely mentors!
Turbulent Trails for Tails from TX-20130413
Six rescue dogs from east Texas find forever homes in Nevada and California!
Skip the Wonder Sled Dog - 20120930
Happy Update! 20130312
Last but not left! 20130106
Happy Update - 20130311!
20121223-Thanks to Sheba, the rescued and rescuer
Who was rescued, and who was the rescuer? Anyone who has known this kind of bond has felt something so deep, so real, so ancient, that it cannot be described with words. These bonds ground us and free us from pettiness in our lives. Thank you Sheba. Rest in peace.
A Letter From Your Admirers! 20121231
20121208- 43 Dogs go from dead-end in Porterville to homes and happy hearts!
This was a last-minute challenge that seemed beyond even our own grandest heroic imaginings. But it turned out not to be beyond the devoted hearts and energies of about 30 rescuers, shelter staff, volunteers, and families working together. Forty-three (yes, 43!) dogs in one day, from dead-ends in a Porterville shelter to homes and real lives with real humans who love and want them. Rescuers ROCK! 
20121206-Saga of Squee: From orphan with mange to her own fur-ever family!
Orphaned very young, left alone and hungry til her fur fell out and her skin was covered with mange. Thanks to some big-hearted Texas rescuers, not only did she recover, she found the family who wanted to love her forever. How glad we were to be able to give this little pup with the big paws the ride to the rest of her life! 
20121205-Blackie Goes Home at Last, and Taylor Turns Texan!
Four long months since Blackie's lifelong human companion and partner Tammy suffered a serious injury from a passing truck and disappeared from his life. Suddenly Blackie was in a shelter kennel, and Tammy fought for her life as she dreamed of her beloved dog. Thanks to many people, both of these souls survived to find each other again! This was a rescue and a reunion we'll never forget.
Miss T'Chen was lost in Hurricane Isaac, and saved 800 miles away!
2012 Oct 02
The same rains that made us work "On WHEELS Of Care" this week kept us grounded for this trip, which serendipitously combined the transport of Skip northward and the joyful and miraculous reunion of Miss T'Chen, who had been rescued and taken to Illinois after Hurricane Isaac, with her family in Baton Rouge!
This flight went almost as planned, and our plane was filled to over-flowing on every leg. And we met some wonderful new cat and dog rescues in Idaho and Oregon!
20 Lucky rescued dogs flown to homes in Canada!
2012 Sep 22
It turned out to a journey full of unexpected challenges, but these 20 lucky lovable canines who had been through the worst of times in California were just the best through it all, and now they are warming the hearts and laps and lives of some very lucky Canadian families! 
Spindletop Scandal and the Search for Scarlett
2012 July 17 - present
With pitbull-like tenacity, we wouldn't take "NO" for an answer. Out of 21 dogs we sought, we have closure on all but two. Alas, one of those two is our Scarlett. 
Tale of seven cities, six cats, and five goats!
2012 July 16
Who knows if the pleas for help brought the plane, or vice-versa.
But when serendipity puts this much together, there's no saying no!
Homeless Mom and Pups no More!
2012 July 08
Sometimes rescuers find the IDEAL person to adopt that animal in need ...
themselves! And in the process, a hole gets filled for the entire family.
This lucky mom now lives with Bear, Sheba, and Dave!
From Empty Nest to Love Fest!
2012 May 11
That last urgent plea came for the five orphaned pups ...
but what about the two large senior boys who would probably never get adopted?
Some people are just angels, meant to be who they are and where they are.
Check out these two and their new happy pack!
JEREMIAH has come home to us!
UPDATE 2012 July 7!
2012 January 13
His adopter called to say she had become ill, and could we care for Jeremiah? You bet we could. We rented a plane and flew to Arizona and retrieved him immediately. Jeremiah was indeed a true friend, and we aim to be his true friends, too. He has been eating like crazy and slept his stress away for the first few days, and now he's acting like a young dog again. Read more here! 
CHAMP found at the airport!
2012 January 01
A sad, scared but dignified young Champ quickly won the hearts of everyone who met him at the New Orleans airport, and within two days we had permission from his original breeders to give him to a young couple with a younger female boxer mix, all of whom fell totally in love with him at first sight! Champ and Miss Princess are leading the good life now, and Champ's new dad finally has the fishing buddy he wanted! They tell us we made their dreams come true. We think they made Champ's come true, too.
Abby & Dinozo -- Two of a Kind!
2011 September--2012 January
Orphaned brother and sister, rescued and adored until calamity struck and they lost their family. Orphaned again, these gentle gems and perfect canine citizens found love and adventure with us until we found them their true forever home! Abby & Dinozo came with us to Washington January 7, and they were welcomed warmly and immediately into a home. Read more here! 
Yo! Get a Load of Yolo!
2011 November--2012 January
Left in the cold, high in the mountains of southern California, life was over before it had barely begun for this orphan teenager.
Little did he know, his adventures had only begun! As of January 7, it's back to snow but this time with a family who adores him, and lots of fun and play in the Pacific Northwest!
Saving Scarlett -- Love Forever at Last!
2011 August--December
Found on the streets, teats full but puppies absent, a battle-torn very hungry pitbull.
Hardly that sought-after doggie in the window.
But after we brought Miss Scarlett home to love and food, warmth and stuffed animals,
we discovered a warm heart and sweet spirit that changed us forever.
Gunner and Cain - A Very, Very Long Journey Home and the Happiest Reunion Ever!
2011 July--September 29, A Joyful Reunion At Last!
Here they are during their flight with four other dogs Sep 29 (New Orleans to Oakland, CA, fuel stop in Roswell, NM). .JPG)
And here's a photo from the happiest reunion ever!
More photos and updated videos here!
Ten dogs from death row to Canada!
Sheba-Cosette - this lovely lady waited a lifetime!
(2011 June) 
Jeremiah - a true friend finds a new lease on life!
(2011 May) 
Two Giant Dogs & three cats reunited with their family on Whidbey Island, WA
(2011 April)
Chihuahuas "Betty" & "JellyBean" fly to their rescue in Bremerton, WA!
(2011 April)
New Year's Rescue: 33 dogs & cats are flown to rescue in the Pacific Northwest!
(2011 January)
Hounds fending for themselves for years in Alabama fly to rescue in Arizona!
(2011 Mar)
Romo & Stanley are flown to safe havens in Arizona!
(2011 Mar)
Aerial Monitoring of the Gulf of Mexico - 2013
Site Search
NEWS!
Aerial Monitoring of the Gulf - 2013
Tue Apr 02 - OIL
Sat Mar 16 - OIL
Fri Mar 08 - OIL
Sun Feb 17 - Coal&Oil
Sun Jan 27 - OIL
Sun Jan 20 - OIL
Fri Jan 04 - OIL
Special Articles
2013 Apr 12 - Mayflower, AR Pipeline Spill
2013 Apr 02 - Bayou Corne #6
2013 Mar 23 - IMMS Marine Mammals
2013 Mar 19 - Bayou Corne Sinkhole-#5
2013 Feb 15 - Bayou Corne Sinkhole-#4
2013 Jan 26 - Bayou Corne Sinkhole-#3
2012 Dec 24 - Bayou Corne Sinkhole-#2
2012 Nov 08 - Tar Sands and Texas
2012 Aug 30 - Hurricane Isaac Conquered
2012 Aug 28 - Hurricane Isaac Arrives!
2012 Aug 13 - Sinkhole in Bayou Corne, LA
2012 Jun 13-Dispersant Spraying Exercise off LA
2012 April - Chronicles of the Endeavor
2012 Dec 10 - How Dilute is Dilute Enough?
Aerial Monitoring of the Gulf of Mexico - 2012
Sat Nov 17 - Platform Explosion
Wed Nov 14 - Barrier Islands 1
Sat Nov 10 - OIL
Fri Nov 09 - OIL
Sat Oct 06 - Whale Sharks
Fri Oct 05 - OIL
Fri Sep 14 - OIL
Sun Sep 09 - Hurricane Isaac
Sun Aug 12 - Whale Sharks
Wed Jul 11 - Whales & More
Fri Jun 29 - Whale Sharks & More
Dominica - The Nature Island!
Aerial Monitoring of the Gulf of Mexico - 2011
OIL:
Fri Dec 30
Tue Dec 20
Fri Dec 09
Sat Nov 12
Sun Sep 25
Wed Sep 21
Thu Sep 15
Tue Sep 13 - USCG
Sun Sep 11
Sat Sep 10
Wed Sep 07
Tue Aug 30
Thu-Fri Aug 25-26
Fri Aug 19
Fri Jul 01
Thu Jun 16
Sat May 14
Fri May 06
Thu Apr 21
Sat Mar 26
Wed Mar 23
Tue Mar 22
Mon Mar 21
Sun Mar 20
Sat Mar 19
Fri Mar 18
Sperm Whales & Whale Sharks:
2011 Sep 25, Sun
2011 Sep 15, Thu
2011 Sep 11, Sun
2011 June
Humpback Whales!
Our Gift for YOU for 2011!
Click Here to Smile
from your heart, out! 
Aerial Monitoring of the Gulf, 2010
Galapagos Veterinary Support
Galapagos vets do much with little,
thanks to true friends who shipped a TON of supplies and meds from the U.S. in June, 2011.
Alabama
2011 April --
“Man can no longer live for himself alone. We must realize that all life is valuable and that we are united to all life. From this knowledge comes our spiritual relationship with the universe.”
-Albert Schweitzer
