Has the BP oil reached Sanibel or Captiva?

The answer is a resounding NO!I like to keep this blog lighthearted, so if you want to simply find an update on the current condition of the local beaches, skip to the bottom of the article and I will let you know. If you would be remotely interested in reading a humble photographers opinion read on:I think everyone is aware of the current problem regarding the oil pipe rupture 5000' below the ocean's surface in the Gulf of Mexico. I intend to keep everyone informed as to the condition of the Southwest Florida beaches. An honest, first hand account of what is going on locally. I feel that we need to do this to get a balanced view across.  'The New York Post' recently ran a front page headline reading "Welcome to Florida" with a disturbing, close up, image across the whole page of shore birds saturated in oil. As a photographer, I am fully aware of the power of imagery but it is quite apparent, that this front page was composed with the sole purpose of shocking people into buying the newspaper. I do not doubt that these birds were saturated by oil and I do not doubt that oil is going to find its way to some beaches. But to condem the whole of Florida to more economic hardship is unjust, irresponsible and unfair.I also want to express to everybody that as a community, the people of Sanibel and Captiva Islands, are not the sort of people that are going to sit back and wait for BP or any other organization to start the recovery process from this ecological disaster.In the summer of 2004, Southwest Florida was hit by several hurricanes one of which was Hurricane Charley. A devastating category 4 hurricane that ripped right through North Captiva Island and left a trail of devastation from here all the way to Orlando and beyond. The way that the community came together to repair the damage left  in this devastating hurricanes wake, was nothing short of a miracle.  Within two weeks the Islands were open again. Although the damage was widespread, the debris and mess was all but cleaned up. The island was changed aesthetically forever because of the destruction of non-native plant species that were blown down during the hurricane. A couple of days after the hurricane I flew over the Islands in a light aircraft to take pictures for a magazine and was amazed by the devastation. Even so, within 3 weeks of Hurricane Charley, I was taking a families portrait on the beach. The client asked me, 'Where is all of the damage from the hurricane?' Although I knew how different the Island was from before the hurricane, I was moved beyond belief. The local people of the community including goverment agencies, the Police, Fire and Rescue, The National Guard and local volunteers had pulled off such an amazing recovery in such a short amount of time. A truly incredible feat! The people of Southwest Florida are an amazing bunch. Especially the people of Sanibel and Captiva. The passion and belief of residents, business owners and visitors alike, is incredible! Sanibel and Captiva Islands are teaming with wildlife and there are many untouched natural environments and ecosystems that are unique to this area. Everyone feels a certain responsibility to keep the Islands a special place. It is a model of ecological preservation. In many ways is light years ahead of many parts of the country.Why bring this up you may ask? The reason I bring this up, is because, even after all the Herculean efforts of everyone involved to clean up, after the worst hurricane in the area for 40 years. The economy was affected for well over a year after the hurricane had passed (for some people even more). This only served to compound the effects of Hurricane Charley. My point is that the press has a job to keep everybody informed and by and large it does a fantastic job but nobody reports the 'all clear' after the aftermath. Let's just put it into perspective: Hurricane Charley was a devastating blow to Sanibel and Captiva, no doubt. The amazing people both locally and across the state of Florida got us back up and running within a matter of weeks. Unfortunately the rest of the country did not know this.More recently we have been economically hit with the collapse of the local housing market. National News teams were coming to nearby areas and reporting live in places like Lehigh Acres where foreclosures were at a national high. Now although Lehigh Acres had a tough time.  The forclosure figures were specifically relevant to Lehigh Acres. Not to all surrounding areas. But in my honest opinion the constant barrage of negative press DID affect the surrounding areas.With that being said, I am not a politician, I am not an expert, I am a local resident  family man and business owner that is passionate about the place I call home. I also believe we have been getting too much, unjust, negative press recently.Do not underestimate the resolve and determination of the local people, we have been dealt adversity before and will no doubt be dealt it again. But I promise you one thing; we will go to the ends of the earth and back to protect these special Islands. This promise goes beyond economics and fiscal reports, it goes beyond politicians and oil companies.  If you would like to support the amazing people that I am proud to know and the Islands and beaches of Southwest Florida. Then please make an informed decision before considering changing plans. Because by you being here, you are helping!Watch this blog, I will tell you honestly what is on our beaches.Thanks for your support,NickCurrent Condition of the Beaches as of:6/23/2010 Sunrise portrait at Lover's Key, Fort Myers Beach, beautiful morning and excellent beach conditions!6/16/2010 Excellent7/15/10 Excellent, ZERO oil.The Island Sun reported this week that: A large number of brown pelicans and northern gannets have been rescued from the oil spill along the Louisiana coast were transported to Sanibel Monday and released at an oil-free Island beach.Check out this site it has some great info regarding the spill http://www.CaptivaVacation.com/