Barataria Preserve, Louisiana

The Barataria Preserve is one part of the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park, a collection of natural resources named after a pirate. Most of the natural paths were flooded when we visited, but this path as well as the one carved out by an old mining road were open to the public.


This little guy hopped up on the path at one point. There weren't many people around that morning, so he kind of had the run of the place.


In his normal habitat.


That deer was great, but where are the gators hiding?


Oh. Right there. At the edge of the path. Waiting for any sign of weakness or soft flesh. Keep your tasty haunches covered!


They're all around, basically. None were too terribly huge, but you wouldn't want to poke any of them with a stick. We saw fifteen or so in two hours.


This was the biggest one we saw. She's the mama...


...and this is one of several little ones around her.








Spanish Moss on the trees...


...and on these little stumplets from trees since past:






There were tons of friendly salamanders.


The longer path ends at a huge plain of dry grass. It was hot and quiet and good for contemplation.