Oil booms in Mississippi River Delta, flight provided by http://www.southwings.org

I’ve learned one thing in the last week: oil is a dirty thing. That’s not a new realization, but as I’ve traveled through the Gulf Coast it’s become ever more clear to me what our dependence on fossil fuels is doing to us and our planet, and it’s a complex dilemma that stretches from economy to environment. On Tuesday I had the chance to do some aerial photography out over the Mississippi River Delta, a striking experience in many ways. Although much of the surface oil isn’t visible anymore, oil booms line the region, adding a visually disturbing element to the otherwise pristine and lush habitat.

Full photo gallery here.