LA Times photo essay on the oil spill.

Still alive but almost unrecognizable, a sea gull is paralyzed by oil on the beach at East Grand Terre Island in Barataria Bay, La.
(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times / June 4, 2010)

The LA Times moves content around. Nine years later the images are difficult to keep links to.

This is why photography is so important. All the debate, all the prayers, all the plans, all the finger pointing, all the regret, all the best intentions. They all stop here. For this image. For all of Ms. Cole’s images and the other photographers documenting this epic event. Thank you. https://twitter.com/carolyn_cole?lang=en

I can see the impact we have on our world.

https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2010/06/gulf-oil-spill-birds-in-barataria-bay-hard-hit.html