Tuesday Morning: Bayou Tour

OK, it's time for some alligators!

We joined Cajun Tours for a ride in the bayous west of New Orleans.

 And before getting on the boat I spotted my first "wild' alligator. 

 This one was right by the dock.  He seems to be smiling.  Is it because he was already fed, or because he sees the fingers and toes of a child near by? 

 And off we go. 

 And here they come.  The boat captain tosses them marshmallows. Not very healthy, but they do float so you can see the alligators swallow them on the surface. 

 I loved the cool looking, green reflections in the still water. 

 Furry wildlife!

 The hibiscus related flowers at the edge are marsh mallows. Marshmallow candy was originally made from the sap of this plant. 

 A trapper's camp.

 The old cypress trees grow large here. 

 Cypress knees help the tree roots breathe.

 An egret!

 I think this is a tri-colored heron. 

 Palmetto ferns are among the vegetation here.  In the bottom right corner you can see the orange flowers of the trumpet vine.

 Water hyacinth is not indigenous here and there is an attempt to control its growth. 

 I think this is a snapping turtle. 

 Meet George. 

 A green heron nesting - a very special sighting for me. 

 The guide on another boat feeding chicken to alligators.  When the feeding of the first one began, more and more came to join in. 

 We all returned with all of our fingers and toes.  It was a good tour, and I had fun taking photos.  Can you tell?