"Betsy Balls" have been interesting subjects of conversation since Hurricane Betsy hit the Gulf Coast in 1965. Are they a nest, a hive or a dinosaur egg? Actually, "Betsy Balls" or "marsh balls" as they are commonly called, are compressed sea or marsh grass to the core. Although they are fascinating artifacts, they are also symptoms of an unhealthy marsh and a warning sign that our wetlands are in distress.

This Betsy Ball, a small one weighing in at about four pounds, is on exhibit at the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center and stands as a testament to our fragile wetlands. The two balls at the Nature Center were created during Hurricane Betsy - hence their name. After Hurricane Andrew it was discovered that Louisiana wetlands were suffering a condition called compressed marsh, where a loss of surface area causes the marsh to push together like an accordion. The high winds from the hurricane rolled the marsh into tight, compact balls further decreasing the wetland's surface area. To add to the loss, part of the floating marsh sank because almost 10 inches of sediment was deposited on top of it - killing the vegetation and habitat for native animals.

Marsh balls have been found after Hurricanes Betsy, Camille, Andrew, and most recently, Lili.