Autumn Blooms
Autumn Blooms by Emma Reid Here are a few flowers that bloom in the fall that I identified the other day out on a swamp tour. Late Goldenrod, Solidago altissima, L. Goldenrod’s piney-tasting leaves and flowers are an important medicinal remedy for the urinary, digestive, and respiratory systems. The goldenrod tribe encompasses one hundred species of late-blooming,…
SWAMP “DO-NOTS”
A list of things not to do in the swamp for the most enjoyable experience and also your general safety. by Jeffrey Chitek I’ve taken thousands of people, (of widely varying intelligence) from all over the world into the swamps of Louisiana. Fortunately, no one has been seriously injured, as I am a savant…
ALLIGATORS VS. CROCODILES
Stuff you should know about Alligators and Crocodiles. by Emma Reid On our tours, people ask A LOT of questions about alligators, but the most common question by far is, “What is the difference between an alligator and a crocodile?” It is important to know that we will not see any crocodiles on our…
Walk it like a crawfish
Walk it like a Crawfish by Josh Jack Louisiana loves crawfish; while we produce nearly all of the mudbugs consumed in the US — roughly 100 million pounds a year — almost 75% of those are eaten before they ever leave the state (the rest go to Texas, but also to Mississippi, Alabama, and the…
The Plagues to Come
The Plagues to Come by Josh Jack Apart from their striking beauty, the coastal reaches of southern Louisiana are some of the most productive and fecund environs on the planet, encompassing about a quarter of all the wetlands in the United States. Two-thirds of all the migratory birds in North America lay-over here…
Butt-breathing Turtles
Butt-breathers by Emma Reid Sure you may think Louisiana has pretty mild winters, but do not underestimate how cold our swamps get with all that cool freshwater coming from up north. Dip your toes in from the kayak and you’ll see. Now, imagine being a turtle in Louisiana or even in Minnesota under ice for…
Autumn photo recap
Autumn photo recap by Ross Baringer In the fall marsh marigolds draw butterflies into the swamps of the Pontchartrain Basin. The red-shouldered blackbirds, who build the most intricate nests in the spring, spend the cooler autumn months gathering in noisy gangs sometimes hundreds of birds strong. The ever-present barred owls take advantage of the receding…
A Louisiana summer in swamp photos
A Louisiana summer in swamp photo color. by Ross Baringer The American alligator is undoubtedly the most famous resident of Louisiana swamps. Hollywood has given this animal a monstrous reputation, and while it is a dangerous predator it tends not to be aggressive. Alligator attacks are rare. Eco-swamp kayak tours provide a great way to…
Understanding vs. Fear
Understanding vs. Fear Breaking down our misconceptions about swamps. By Ross Baringer Swamps have carried a negative connotation and inspired fear for centuries, even in Louisiana where most of our culture is in some way connected to that environment. In literature and film they are often portrayed as dark festering areas full of evil….