This morning it was 35 degrees and overcast at daybreak. I waited until 9:00 to see what the weather would do. It looked like the rain would hold off, so I loaded up the pirogue and put in on Bayou Corne; about 8 miles from home and about a mile from my old hometown.
Just after I put in I came upon a man fishing in a small aluminum boat tied up to a downed tree. Standing on the tree, not 10 ft. from the man was huge white heron. I commented to the man "Looks like you have a friend there.". The guy kind of laughs and says " He meets me here all the time. Sometimes he lands IN the boat to get a small fish." Cool.
I paddle down a half-mile and turn into a small bayou covered with this.
Paddle down until it narrows down to half the width and was stopped by too many snags. Went back to the main bayou and came upon these two fine ladies.
If you look closely at the one on the right, you can see the 5ft. paddle I put there for reference. A little farther down I passed by another old monarch.
Another quarter mile and spied this old boy 100 yards back in the swamp. Put the paddle at the base for reference on this one too.
The only thing that spared these old cypress from the loggers a hundred years ago was that they are all hollow- no market value.
Spotted a hawk, nutria, a couple of herons, and a cormorant. Also found two or three future camping spots. It was a very satisfying morning.
Joey
Just after I put in I came upon a man fishing in a small aluminum boat tied up to a downed tree. Standing on the tree, not 10 ft. from the man was huge white heron. I commented to the man "Looks like you have a friend there.". The guy kind of laughs and says " He meets me here all the time. Sometimes he lands IN the boat to get a small fish." Cool.
I paddle down a half-mile and turn into a small bayou covered with this.
Paddle down until it narrows down to half the width and was stopped by too many snags. Went back to the main bayou and came upon these two fine ladies.
If you look closely at the one on the right, you can see the 5ft. paddle I put there for reference. A little farther down I passed by another old monarch.
Another quarter mile and spied this old boy 100 yards back in the swamp. Put the paddle at the base for reference on this one too.
The only thing that spared these old cypress from the loggers a hundred years ago was that they are all hollow- no market value.
Spotted a hawk, nutria, a couple of herons, and a cormorant. Also found two or three future camping spots. It was a very satisfying morning.
Joey
