Everything in nature is connected in one way or another. When we pull at a string in nature something else moves somewhere (taken from the famous John Muir quote, “When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.”). Even birds and sharks at tied together.

The Gulf of Mexico is the ninth largest body of water in the world. From its shallow coastlines to the deep ocean waters reaching approximately 14,300 ft, it is very biodiverse, and houses a large variety of marine life. That includes at least 1,443 finfish species, 42 ray/skate species and a multitude of others, and about 50 shark species.

Of those 50 sharks species, some common ones are the Blacknose Shark, Bonnethead Hammerhead Shark, Bull Shark, Finetooth Shark, Florida Smoothhound Shark, Great Hammerhead Shark, Lemon Shark, Nurse Shark, Oceanic Whitetip Shark, Sandbar Shark, Shortfin Mako Shark, Smooth Hammerhead Shark, and Common Thresher Shark.

Its been 48 years since Jaws scared us all out the water! But Great White Sharks are not that common in the gulf as the water temperature is a bit too warm for their liking. And it’s been studied and found that they don’t really care for the taste of humans that much after all, but instead often mistake us for seals. But they do eat birds, at least the occasional gull or pelican that is too slow or found dead!

And so does the Tiger Shark. Tigers are one of the largest species of shark, and can grow up to 18 feet. They sometimes migrate through the Gulf, and apparently, they use different depths of the Gulf depending on their age. Juveniles tend to favor shallower area and along the ocean shelf. And according to shark researcher Marcus Drymon, a fisheries ecologist at Mississippi State University in Biloxi, the young Tigers seems to be using the shallower area as nursery grounds.

He and his colleagues collected the stomach contents from 105 tiger sharks by dissecting dead sharks and washing out the stomachs of live ones (no sharks were harmed). From those sharks they found the remains of 11 different bird species: eight songbirds, including Barn Swallows, House Wrens, White-winged Doves, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Gray Catbirds, and others.

How do they get those land birds? Can sharks walk now, or fly? Nope. It’s all timed with the spring and especially fall bird migration. Millions of birds pour over the Gulf to head north in the spring to nest in the US and Canada, and back south in fall to their Latin wintering grounds. Apparently, this coincides with young Tiger Sharks hanging out in the shallower part of the Gulf. So anytime there is a major storm or hard headwinds thousands of migratory birds can’t make landfall, falling into the Gulf and becoming Tiger snacks. Maybe not a pretty picture, but nature can be brutal at times… and birds are tied to sharks!

Tiger sharks are one of the largest species of shark, growing up to 18 feet in length.
Photo by Howard Chen

PORT O’CONNOR — An angel opened up the book of life and wrote down our baby’s birth. Then before our hearts were ready, God whispered as he closed the book, “He’s too beautiful for earth.” Hunter Michael Hadley, 20, of Port O’Connor, TX, went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on Friday January 27, 2023.

After graduating from Calhoun High School, Hunter worked as a deckhand for Harbor Docking and Towing, docking ships out of the Port of Point Comfort. Taking his next steps towards becoming a Captain of a harbor tug, Hunter recently attended Houston Marine Training where he obtained his Apprentice Mate license.

The thought of Hunter and his contagious giggle puts a smile on your face, and his exuberant life fills us with deep love and compassion. Hunter’s passions ran deep, especially his love of the water. An experienced fisherman, Hunter was known to brag about the one trout on his stringer (even if he did have to wade for 8 hours to catch it). It wasn’t about the quantity of fish caught, but the quality of time spent with those he loved. Hunter was also an avid duck hunter; regardless of the weather, if you said, “Let’s go!” he was already on the boat.

Hunter was a beloved son who always made it a point to invite his family on the boat (only to leave out details like a 4 AM wake-up call). His idea of fun was a wide-open duck blind in the middle of the bay when it’s 40 degrees.

Hunter adored his family and always made time for them. He never missed a chance to send “love you” texts or wrap you in his bear hug. He had a unique way of making you feel like you were the only person in the room.

Hunter did what he loved. He lived passionately. He surrounded himself with the people he loved. Kind-hearted and compassionate, Hunter taught us how to live life to the fullest. But, when you distill the essence, it is love that defines Hunter’s life.

Hunter was preceded in death by great-grandparents, Oswald and Virginia Kirchner, Gerald and Patricia Weathersby and Herman and Winnie Stephens; and grandfather, Raymond Reed.

He is survived by his parents, Michael and Ashley Hadley and Kristen and John Reed; siblings, Holton Hadley, Dane Ramsey, Paisley Hadley, Stetson Hadley, Elizabeth Reed and Ethan Reed; the girlfriend he adored, Raygan Snyder; aunts and uncles, Kristin and Louis Ruiz, Bonnie and Jack Glover, Michelle Hadley and Dennis Zimmerman, Earl E. “Peyton” Ellsworth IV, Terisha and Patrick Herrington, Ralph S. and Erika Weathersby, Ashley and Hugh Caldwell III, Ava Schweke, Aurora Weathersby, Kara Dierschke, Ryan Dierschke, Tony Daniel, Tonia and David Meadows and Ryan and Sylver Reed; grandparents, Buster and Peggy Hadley, Ralph Jecker and Ashley Weathersby, Vicki Stephens, Steven and Shelia Dierschke, Danny and Sheri Evins, Toni Praytor Hanson and Linda Reed; and great-grandparents, Anthony and Dorothy Daniel.

Hunter touched the lives of this community. He united us.

A celebration of life was held at the Port O’Connor Community Center on Saturday, February 11, 2023. Serving as pallbearers were Holton Hadley, Leo Click, Sam Thumann, Will Ragusin, Andrew Ragusin, Ricky Dudley, Dayne Rangel, Ronnie Carriles and Trevor Williamson. Honorary pallbearers were McCoy Wagner and Trent Woody. A second memorial on the water was on Sunday, February 12, to release a wreath in Hunter’s favorite fishing spot, Fish Pond.

Nov. 28, 1958 – Jan. 29, 2023
John Lee Scott was born to Pauline Lowe Briggs and John Lawrence Scott. He leaves behind two children: his son Johnny Ray Crowe, and his daughter Julaya Rae Scott, along with seven grandchildren, and one great granddaughter. He also leaves behind stepdaughter Susan Spencer-Cox and his daughter-in-law Yasemin Crowe. He was preceded in death by both of his parents, his wife Carla Scot, and his stepson Larry Lee Lester. John had four sisters, Wanda Briggs, Becky Scott, Debbie Fitztgerald and Donna Hodge along with many nieces and nephews.

John graduated High School after joining the U.S. Army and being stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. He worked his way up to Sergeant First Class upon retiring after 20 years of service,
He was a hard working man who loved the Lord, his Bible, and his children more than anything in the world.

He earned his pilot’s license in the early 90’s and loved to fly. John had an extensive career as a long-haul truck driver and could operate tons of heavy equipment. John also loved making trips to Seattle, WA. His favorite place to visit was Pike Place Market; he enjoyed walking down the pier and the streets of Seattle. John loved to go to church on Sundays with his girlfriend, Susie, who he dearly loved.

John’s sudden death was a shock to the whole community and he will be dearly missed and loved by many.

A memorial service for John was held Sunday, February 5, 2023, the Rev. Erny McDonough officiating.