Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Sea turtles are occasionally seen near sea-grass meadows around coral reefs in the Reserve.

Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Black mangrove adapts to high salinity conditions prevalent in some areas of the estuary.

Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The white mangrove is another important component of the mangrove forest in a tropical estuary.

Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The swamp fern, frequently found through the Reserve, is an indicator of environments that are rich in nutrients.

Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Long-legged long-beaked shorebirds wade through the shallows in search of dinner .

Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Many birds use estuarine habitats as shelter areas during nesting season.

Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The Great Egret is a common species seen in the lagoons of Mar Negro. They feed on a variety of invertebrates that inhabit these areas.

Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Fish sustain a local fishing economy and contribute to the diversity of life on the reef.

Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Manatees live in estuarine waters. Sea grass meadows provide shelter and habitat.

Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Fiddler crabs inhabit mudflats. They help provide nutrients and oxygen to the soil with their constant burrowing in the sediments.

Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Land crabs are part of the characteristic fauna protected in the estuarine habitats of the Reserve.

Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. A closeup of the eyes and face of a land crab.

Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The Clapper Rail, or salt-water marsh hen, spends most of its time between mangrove roots feeding on little creatures that live in estuarine waters.

Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Mangrove islets cover a large area of the estuary in Jobos Bay. They provide shelter, protection, and nursery areas for many estuarine species.

Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Fifteen small islets are part of the Caribe Keys, where the seagrass, coral reef , and mangrove habitats intersect and interconnect.

Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Resident and migratory birds use shallow lagoons during the nesting season.

Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Ascidians and sponges are filter feeders, part of the diverse community that lives on the mangrove roots.

Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Wetland areas act as reservoirs that filter nutrients and water.

Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The root system of the red mangrove is used as nursing areas by many marine animals.

Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The blue heron feeds on marine organisms found near the mangrove islets.

Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Large flower corals are found in coral reef communities in the Caribe Keys.

Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Shallow lagoons are excellent places to enjoy the beauty of the estuary. They are part of the dynamic system that makes up the estuary.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Southwest view showing Bangs Bayou, Bangs Lake, Chevron oil refinery, Bayou Casotte Industrial Park, and Mississippi Sound. Taken during LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. West from Middle Bay along MS/AL state line showing large Indian shell midden, juncus marsh, shallow bayous, Point aux Chenes Bay, and the Chevron oil refinery. LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. North view showing southwestern corner of the reserve, warm-water effluent canal, and the Chevron oil refinery. Taken during LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Close-up of southwestern corner of reserve, warm-water effluent canal, and the Chevron oil refinery. Taken during LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Northwest over Mississippi Sound showing eroding shoreline and high marsh, Point aux Chenes, southwestern portion of reserve. Taken during LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Northwest over Mississippi Sound showing eroding shoreline and high marsh, Point aux Chenes, southwestern portion of reserve. Taken during LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Northwest over Mississippi Sound showing eroding shoreline and high marsh, Point aux Chenes, southwestern portion of reserve. Taken during LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. West over Mississippi Sound showing eroding shoreline and high marsh, Point aux Chenes, southwestern portion of reserve. Taken during LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. West over Mississippi Sound showing eroding shoreline and high marsh, Point aux Chenes, southwestern portion of reserve. Taken during LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Northwest over Mississippi Sound showing eroding shoreline and high marsh, Point aux Chenes, southwestern portion of reserve. Taken during LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. North over Mississippi Sound showing eroding shoreline and high marsh, Point aux Chenes, southwestern portion of reserve. Taken during LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. North over Mississippi Sound showing eroding shoreline and high marsh, Point aux Chenes, southwestern portion of reserve. Taken during LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. North over Mississippi Sound showing eroding shoreline and high marsh, Point aux Chenes, southwestern portion of reserve. Mississippi Phosphate Company waste gypsum stack visible to northwest. Taken during LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. North over Mississippi Sound showing eroding shoreline and high marsh, Point aux Chenes, southwestern portion of reserve. Mississippi Phosphate Company waste gypsum stack visible to northwest. LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Erosional shoreline and high-marsh, Point aux Chenes, southwestern portion of reserve. Mississippi Phosphate Company waste gypsum stack and Chevron oil refinery visible to northwest. Taken during aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. North over Mississippi Sound showing eroding shoreline and high marsh, Point aux Chenes, southwestern portion of reserve. Mississippi Phosphate Company waste gypsum stack visible to northwest. LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. West view showing Point aux Chenes salt flats and high marsh with oil storage tanks and Mississippi Phosphate Company waste gypsum stack to the west. Taken during LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Northwest showing eroding shoreline and high marsh, Point aux Chenes, southwestern portion of reserve. Mississippi Phosphate Company waste gypsum stack and Chevron oil refinery visible to northwest. Taken during LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. West showing eroding shoreline, tidal creek, high-marsh, salt flats, and Point aux Chenes, southwestern portion of reserve. Mississippi Phosphate Company waste gypsum stack and Chevron oil refinery visible to west. Taken during LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. West showing erosional shoreline, tidal creek, and high-marsh, Point aux Chenes, southwestern portion of reserve. Mississippi Phosphate Company waste gypsum stack and Chevron oil refinery visible in background. LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. North showing eroding shoreline and high-marsh, Point aux Chenes, southwestern portion of reserve. Taken during LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Northwest showing tidal creek, high-marsh, and Bangs Lake, Point aux Chenes, southwestern portion of reserve. Taken during LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. West over Point aux Chenes Bay showing tidal creek, high-marsh, and Bangs Lake, Point aux Chenes, southwestern portion of reserve. Taken during LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. West showing high marsh, Bangs Lake, and fishing charter boat deposited on Point aux Chene by Hurricane Georges the preceding week. LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. West showing high marsh, tidal creek, salt pans, Bangs Lake, and charter fishing boat deposited on Point aux Chene by Hurricane Georges the preceding week. LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Northern Point aux Chene Bay, Bangs Bayou, and black needle rush marsh, western portion of reserve. Taken during aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Northeast showing Bayou Cumbest, large Indian shell midden, Bangs Island, black needle rush marsh, and maritime pine forests. LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. East showing Bayou Cumbest, large Indian shell midden, black needle rush marsh, and maritime pine forests. LSU aerial shoreline survey of October 1998.