Monday, April 19, 2010

Mosaic Monday


I thought today I would take you on a spring adventure that we had in 2003 while we lived in Sulphur, Louisiana. About 25 miles south of there you will find a marsh that is inhabited by some of Southwest Louisiana's critters wild life. 



This sign wasn't necessary where I was concerned, but I am sure that had the sign not been in place some idiot would try to feed or perhaps even try to pet the alligators.



I have always been fascinated with the fact that there is no fence or barrier of any kind between alligator and tourists. There is nothing keeping the alligators from running up the little bit of incline to the walkway and devouring a tourist or two for lunch. This is the first part of the walkway. As you wind your way through the marsh the walkway turns from concrete to wooden walkways that are raised slightly over the water.

 
  
My first visit to this marsh was with J.D.'s niece. It was a hot summer day when we went and all we saw was a couple of butterflies, 1 frog and a zillion mosquitoes. When J.D. and I went it was toward the end of March and we saw lots of alligators.
 
  
We were entertained watching Mama Gator giving her babies a piggy back ride. Or perhaps these babies have found this the safest place to be to avoid being a appetizer for Mama.  


Signs like this one are posted along the canal that runs parallel to the road that leads to the marshland. Yes, there are alligators that swim in those waters and yes, there were people in the water doing exactly what the sign says not to do.

If you are ever in Southwest Louisiana, this really is a nice stop in the spring. I would advise against it in the heat of summer and especially if you have a hip or knee problem as it is quite a long walk.


If you would like to take part in Mosaic Monday or you would just like to see some beautiful mosaics of photos taken by some very talented bloggers just drop by The Little Red House.

Thank you Mary for hosting Mosaic Monday.


7 comments:

Lois Evensen said...

Hi Jo,

Cool Alligator images! I especially like the one of the baby on Mama's back. We've traveled Alligator Alley in Florida often, but there are fences between the people and the 'gators - at least in MOST places. One time we were there some idiot was standing on the bank tossing the 'gators hunks of raw turkey. Duh!

Lois

Nancy said...

I once took my young children to the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia. There were alligators lying everywhere near people were walking. I told my children the alligators were not real - then one of them moved. They were all real!

Loved the photo of the little ones on Mama's back.

Daniela said...

Ha ha, like i would go anywhere nere those animals :) Love the one with mama gator and her kids :)

julia said...

i am saying over and over in my head: "visit in the hot summer visit in the hot summer"--you know, the time when the gators were NOT out.

Cool pictures!

julia said...

Also i had to giggle to myself when i read "the many moods of me" at the top. i was thinking, "some of my moods would not be appreciated by others."

Mountain Mama said...

It's hard for me to imagine anyone wanting to 'pet' an aligator but I saw a lady on TV try just that. I am still amazed at how fast the gator snapped at her. I assumed that with their lumbersome body they would be rather slow.
The friendly lady sure moved fast too. LOL

Rettabug said...

Your mosaic is interesting but the subject matter makes me shiver! We had alligators in our ponds & lakes in FL & saw them all the time on the golf course. I gave them wide berth!
~shudder~