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Every season tells a new story in the Louisiana wetlands. The swamps that surround Marrero, Barataria, and the wider Southeast region are alive with constant change, especially when it comes to the birdlife that fills the skies, trees, and marshes. Some species only stop by for a short visit, while others make this their home…

Bourbon Street gets a lot of attention—and for good reason. It’s loud, colorful, and unforgettable. But here’s the thing: if the only part of Louisiana a visitor sees is Bourbon Street, they’re missing half the story. The other half is waiting just a short drive away in the swamps and bayous, where the real character…

Adventure doesn’t always mean climbing a mountain or jumping out of an airplane. Sometimes, it looks more like drifting through a cypress swamp with a heron flying overhead and an alligator keeping a careful eye from the bank. That’s the kind of adventure Louisiana delivers every day, and after decades of seeing visitors come here…

As soon as the weather cools off—even a little—the same question pops up like clockwork: “Do alligators hibernate?” It usually comes right after someone asks if gators can climb fences (they can) or if they really sleep with one eye open (not always, but close enough to keep it interesting). Fall in South Louisiana means…

Let’s be honest: when planning a family trip, especially to a place like New Orleans, figuring out what’s both exciting and appropriate for the kids can feel like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube with one hand. The French Quarter is fun, sure—but it’s not exactly crawling with kid-friendly reptiles or scenic cypress trees. That’s…

Let’s clear something up right from the jump: the swamp is not trying to eat anybody. For years, swamps have been unfairly portrayed in movies as dark, creepy places where something is always lurking just beneath the surface—usually with too many teeth and a soundtrack full of suspenseful violins. But after guiding people through Louisiana’s…

Swamps have a reputation. They’re muddy, they’re mysterious, and they occasionally star in horror movies. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned after years of guiding folks through these winding waterways—it’s this: swamps are some of the hardest-working, most misunderstood parts of Louisiana’s natural landscape. Now, I’m not saying the swamp is out here filling…

Bringing a school group into the Louisiana swamp isn’t just about spotting an alligator and calling it a day. Although, let’s be honest, if an alligator does pop up, it becomes the main character of the field trip faster than you can say “extra credit.” But there’s a whole lot more going on beneath the…

Let’s talk about the unofficial mascot of the Louisiana swamps: the alligator. Not the cartoon kind wearing a vest and playing the banjo—but the real-deal, prehistoric, sunbathing-on-a-log type that has been cruising our bayous long before GPS or gumbo. Now, thanks to movies, TV, and the occasional tall tale at a crawfish boil, there’s a…

In many parts of coastal and low-lying Louisiana, flood insurance has shifted from a standard safeguard to a major challenge. As flood frequency increases and claims continue to rise, some areas are facing reduced access to coverage—or none at all—from private insurers. The term “uninsurable” has started appearing more frequently in conversations about homeownership in…

Let’s be honest—when most folks think about going on a photo shoot, they picture city skylines, fashion models, or sunsets over sandy beaches. But if you ask me, nothing compares to the wild beauty of Louisiana’s swamps. Sure, you might get a little muddy, swat a few mosquitoes, and find yourself locking eyes with a…

There’s a lot that can be said about the swamps of Louisiana, but let’s get one thing clear right off the bat—they’re not just waterlogged forests filled with mosquitoes and the occasional alligator eyeing you like you’re the special of the day. These wetlands are alive. Not just biologically (though yes, plenty of that), but…