Swamp Tour

Now that we are sure what little bug sent John to the hospital he feels confident going on a swamp tour. Many of the tours close to our campsite use airboats to navigate through the swamp. We can hear them at our campsite and they are loud. I can’t imagine what it would be like to ride on one.

A little over an hour away is the Honey Island Swamp. It is 70,000 acres of protected swamp land and is unique because it’s one of the least-altered river swamps in the country. It’s pretty much in its original condition, almost a pristine wilderness.

Us and 20 other passengers boarded our covered boat and with Ryan, a native to this Cajun country, took off into the swamp. Ryan was very knowledgeable about the swamp and a great entertainer. He kept everyone smiling and laughing through the trip.

After his comical safety talk it was time to head off into the swamp to find some animals and enjoy the beauty all around. The boats have very powerful motors and I felt like I was on a speed boat. Cooper, RIP, would have LOVED the ride, if dogs had been allowed.

In no time at all we were in “gator” country. The water was very cold (well it is winter down here) and the alligators were moving slow and not eating so he couldn’t coax this girl off of her log to come see us. Not sure if I was disappointed or not.

There were some other alligators that were swimming around and Ryan was careful to keep the boat away from them. As we floated he gave us all kinds of information about the alligators.

Since almost becoming extinct, the protected alligator has made a great come back and they now allow culling hunts within the preserve during designated times each year.

As we explored the swamp we saw numerous birds. It wasn’t always this way. During the 1950s birds and eagles were hunted to near extinction, but with new laws the bird populations are also making a come back. The large blue herrings are responsible for many of the large baby alligator kills and some of the larger snakes. Owls also play a role in the “natural” population control of the alligators.

Our next stop was the Cypress forest. On the way we passed a Cajun village. I don’t know what I expected, maybe little shacks with wrap around decks…but they looked like fairly normal houses that you might see along the banks of Pine Creek.

Then again…..

The Cypress swamp was my favorite part. It was more what I picture in my head when I think “swamp”.

Awe TURTLES! I love turtles. With the cool nights, cool water, the turtles wanted to get warm and found a nice log on which to sun.  Notice the big one in the front and the little one in the back.

Cypress trees grow best submerged in water or at a waterway edge. If you try to plant them somewhere else they hardly grow at all. The bumps that you see sticking out of the water are called cypress knees.

They are the roots of the tree. The roots of the cypress dig down in the swamp dirt and then back up and then back down anchoring them. This forest with stood Katrina with no problems.

The Spanish Moss air plant that seemed to hang from every branch of every tree, gave the forest a spooky feel.

Like many southern states, Louisiana has their share of wild boars. Some show the evidence of the mix with domestic pink piggies.

Just like black bears and skunks, wild boars like marshmallows. Meet Porkchop. Not sure why they call her that, but she clearly is one of the guides’ favorites.

Ryan told everyone to be watchful, Porkchop likes to climb in the boats. Oh great!

It was a great 2 hour tour and we learned a lot about a very unique area of the USA.

On our way out we came across another boat and the 2 guides decided a race was in order. As the lighter boat began pulling ahead, Ryan started shouting for some of us to jump out to lighten his load.

We had a really good time. Spring is the best time to hit the swamp. If we are back this way during spring, I’ll be bugging John for another swamp day.