tampa to albuquerque

Hello Everyone,

I moved the CT plane this past week from Clearwater, FL. to Albuquerque, New Mexico flying along the Gulf to Houston. I photographed more phosphate mines just east of Tampa and then progressed up along the gulf coast to shoot the Crystal River Nuclear Power Plant which had a long canal that went out into the Gulf to get rid of the wasted hot water. I find it amazing how much energy is wasted cooling these plants.

After, I spent a night in Cross City and then continued along the Gulf toward New Orleans to photograph the intense coastal development as well as the extensive storm damaged caused by Katrina. It was incredible to see how many people were still living in FEMA trailers two years after the hurricane.

From New Orleans, I went to the mouth of the Mississippi which was interesting impart for the loss of wetlands and the people who manage to inhabit and live off this unique landscape. A large percent of the wetlands have been lost due impart to oil companies digging canals for drilling barges. Not only do these canals destroy the wetlands but also they further exasperate the problem by allowing salt water to infiltrate the marshes and kill the vegetation. Flying in this region I could really sense the power of heat and moisture with the building of towering cumulous clouds and afternoon thunderstorms.

Continuing on to Houston and Galveston Bay I could see the build up of the oil industry which is very extensive along deep water channels and that reach incredible intensity in the Houston Ship Channel.

From Houston I flew northwest to Albeline Texas to photograph the vast windfarms running for miles. I then traveled to Midline Texas and Roswell New Mexico. Roswell was interesting among other things for the mega-sized feedlots.

The next leg of the trip should take me out to the west coast going via Phoneix Arizona and the Imperial Valley.

Alex