As to the nuclear testing, that was done in the Baxterville Salt Domes, south of Hattiesburg. I believe you’re right in that some biological anomalies were discovered in the years afterward. I participated as a researcher in a cancer survey in that area (human cancer) and we found no significant increase in incidence of cancer over years preceeding the nuclear testing. That research was done in the early 80’s.

Yes, the Gulf Sturgeon has been found spawning in the Bouie river right here around Hattiesburg. Given that it is endangered, it is difficult to see how the Department of Energy can get around that pumping waters out of the Pascagoula may impact dramatically the chanel upriver to the Bouie. That is one of MANY unanswered questions about this debacle.

Again, thanks for posting.
Lin

Two thoughts about the Pascagoula river. First wasn’t there some nuke testing in the salt domes around Richton and Columbia. It would have been in the 70’s. A friend did some bio sampling in the area for a federal agency at that time. He found lots of 2 headed snakes and 3 eyed frogs…. I wouldn’t think glowing fuel oil would be helpful.

Second though. I understand the Sturgeons are returning to the Bouie. I would want nothing to stop that from happening. I can remember when I was very young seeing hundreds of them in the Pascagoula river where it meets the Escatawpa.

One big question. What happened to the sulphur butterfly migration? I remember there were hundreds of thousands of butterlfy along the gulf coast every fall in the late ’50s. They moved west to east in the fall. Were they dependent on the tung nut trees?

I am familiar with the Hummingbird Festival and encourage all to go. If only it were cooler by September! By next year, I’m sure I’ll be a volunteer!

Thanks for letting me hear from you. Hope you’ll continue to read and write to The Writer’s Wife!

Lin

My name is Katie Boyle and I am the Outreach and Education Director of Strawberry Plains Audubon Center in Holly Springs (nice photo of the Davis House!). Congratulations on your invitation to the State Board of Audubon Mississippi! It will be great to have you on board in that capacity.

I like the idea of your blog — My husband is a writer playing a PhD student at Ole Miss. It is encouraging to see writers go full-time!!

I’m writing to let you know about our 10th Annual Hummingbird Migration Celebration on September 11-13 here at Strawberry Plains. We are so excited about this year’s event. Of course, the regular favorites will be here: Bob Sargent, from the Hummer/Bird Study Group will be banding birds for everyone to see (some lucky folks may get a chance to hold one!) and Rob Mies will bring his bats and hopefully give some people a new perspective. In addition, we are thrilled about our special guests: Douglas Tallamy, author of Bringing Nature Home: How to Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants, will be here to talk about his book and how he believes gardeners will play a major role in wildlife management in the coming years. Miyoko Chu will be here to talk about her new book, Songbird Journeys, and the incredible migration of songbirds (she talks a lot about nighttime migration — SO cool!).

There will be guided nature walks and trailer rides throughout the 2600 acres of native plant demonstration areas, grasslands and forests.

But best of all, Hummingbirds! Thousands will be here to grace our presence as they feed from the native plants, insects and sugar water feeders.

So, that’s it! I’m looking forward to meeting you at the next meeting or maybe at the festival. I just wanted to congratulate you and give you all the insider details about this year’s celebration.

Sincerely,
Katie Boyle

No, nothing is as grim as my post makes it seem….our imaginations are often more fanciful and catastrophe-seeking than reality. It does all get very scary at times, though.

Hope you are doing well….

‘I guess I’m being too analytical’ Maggie

‘Really?’ Ashi

‘Do you know what that means?’ Ron

‘Hmmm, let me break it down . . .’ Maggie