(click on the audio title below the blog heading for music/song accompaniment. For photo enlargement - click on the picture).
When touring the State of Louisiana it was Walter's idea to visit the Wetlands. Did you know that all wetlands are different? The area we visited was located about an hour and half drive outside of New Orleans. This particular wetlands includes marshland, hardwood swamps, bayous and rivers.This means a variety of wildlife and plant-life that are distinct to the region such as alligators, exotic waterfowls, bald eagle's nest and the occasional sightings of a man-like creatures roaming this legendary wilderness known as Swamp People!
When we boarded the 20 passenger boat out into Louisana's crown jewel -The Honey Island Swamp, we were greeted by several baby alligators swimming round the sides of the boat waiting for the swamp tour guide to feed them marshmallows. For reasons unknown to mankind, alligators have a sweet tooth and loves the soft textures of marshmallows. The guide stuck mashmellows (one a time) onto the end of a long bamboo pole for the babies to eat. They kept circling the boat for more of the same until we speed ahead up river, passed some cabins where the Swamp People live, deep in the bayou.
I am surprise there isn't any mosquitoes in these swampy areas. As our guide explained - the water and undercurrent of the rivers are moving constantly. Mosquitoes breed and lay their eggs (lava) only in stagnant water. Since the river water is flowing constantly, the lava gets washed downstream, hence no mosquitoes in the area.
The further we moved up-river, the alligators got bigger. But their diet did not change with age or size. They still loved their mashmellows and catfish. We also got the opportunity to witness the mating of a male & female alligator which was conducted by the muddy river embankment.
As the boat grinded to a haul, the guide stuck a 12 ft pole into the bottom of the muddy water. The pole kept sinking deeper and deeper into the natural debri build-up at the bottom of the swamp. He explained it is best not to fall into the water - a task I personally have no desire to perform. Although, the water appears shallow, it is covered with a camouflage of dead leaves. Beneath the leaves are layers upon layers of soft decaying natural debris on top of the mud at the bottom. Any weight placed upon the surface of these decaying leaves, the object will automatically be sucked into this bottomless pit. Often times these muddy swamps are quick-sand traps and it's not a pretty sight if one a person or thing falls in.
As we proceeded upstream, we saw several long legged Elgers - waiting patiently on some floating logs, ready to dive their sharp becks into the water to catch their prey (catfishes are their favorites). Catfish the staple diet of the area (looks more like a shrimp/prawn than a fish) and most Swamp People catches these to sell to local eateries or to eat themselves.
As much as I love nature, the bayou is not a place I'll likely make a home. As much as Walter loves the quite and noiseless surroundings, it is too raw and primitive for my city-boy lifestyle. That said, it is nice to have a chance to visit and experience first hand a natural Louisana bayou. Unfortunately, I'm afraid, I'll not be a Swamp Person anytime soon. Maybe in another lifetime??????????
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