<< Previous Next >>

Colours Of Swamp


Colours Of Swamp
Photo Information
Copyright: Tomasz Chroscicki (Tomek) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1193 W: 39 N: 2129] (12542)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-09-24
Categories: Nature
Camera: Canon EOS 30D SLR, Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS, 77 mm Hoya UV
Exposure: f/4, 1/640 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-09-26 21:07
Viewed: 433
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Have you ever visited the swamp, hiking along walking trails, or by boat? Have you ever seen the egrets, herons, pelicans and alligators in their natural habitat?

While the swamps of Southeast Louisiana are dangerous places, they can be quite beautiful. The land is wet and soft, bog-like, with the potential pockets of quicksand. Moss laden cypress trees, with their characteristic cypress knee root system, grow in shallow water or on nearby land. The "land" above the water level is covered with marsh grasses, vines, palmettos and irises. Spanish moss is common, because it likes to grow near water.

Inhabiting the swamps are animals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and birds of all types. The most worrisome are, of course, snakes and alligators. While there are many non-poisonous snakes (there are only six poisonous varieties in Louisiana), one must especially watch for water moccasins (cotton mouths), which may be under foot or in the trees above. Their bites can be deadly.
The alligators are to be respected, too. Even small ones (five to six feet) can cause severe injury. They can grow to be as large as 14 to 18 feet in length. Alligators alternate between the water and the banks, as a means of regulating their body temperature, and are most active during the warmer months. Lying perfectly still, it is easy to mistake one for a log, until it is too late.

Several varieties of turtles can be seen on logs and on the banks, including the snapping turtles. Birds abound, including the snowy egrets, blue herons, pelicans, and since Louisiana is along the migratory flyway, there are often ducks and geese. Nutrias (originally imported from South America) have found our swamps to be to their liking, also. Let's forget our famous insects - mosquitoes and spiders.

New Orleans sits along the Mississippi River, surrounded by lakes, swamps, and marshes. It is surprising how many people have never set foot into the swamps and marshes, to experience nature as it has always been. With urban sprawl, much of these wetlands have been drained and filled for use as subdivisions, shopping centers and golf courses. Fortunately, governments on the federal and state level have created parks and wildlife refuges to preserve this fragile eco system. With some restrictions, we are able to venture into this natural environment to see these animals up close, with little danger to them or ourselves.

There are several state and national parks and wildlife refuges surrounding New Orleans that provide the public with access and swamp tours. Bayou Sauvage Wildlife Refuge to the east of New Orleans and Jean Lafitte National Historical Park to the south of New Orleans, along the route to Barataria, are two that are readily accessible. (Note: The National Park Service Website is temporarily out of service.)

Swamp tours are becoming a popular, comfortable and safe way to experience the natural beauty of swamps and bayous of Southeastern Louisiana. Many swamp tour companies are just a couple of miles from downtown New Orleans, the tours last just a couple of hours, and are on large, stable boats with restroom facilities on board. You can do it in one day, and still have some time left over. If you like photography, it is a great opportunity to get some impressive photographs, with little risk to life or limb.
rintile, GreenBaron, tjutjut, Regiomontana, espanek, misiekU, milas, Werewolf, inaam, shelbeesmom, Mirra78 has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekLens members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekLens members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Simple and beautiful, nice colors and details. TFS

rintile

Witaj Tomku.
Piekne zdjecie, super kolory. Kapitalne podejscie do tematu.
Najlepszego
Tomek

Witaj Tomaszu! Piękne zdjęcie zrobiłeś! Ostrość i kolory doskonałe! Pozdrawiam Iza

There is beauty everywhere, if you look with the right eyes. Even on swamps. You have capture it in this photo. Great colors and sharpeness. TFS

Hi Tom,

Reading your note, I don't think I have guts to be at swamp area . .
Beautiful color of the red stands out among the surrounding. .
Well presented . .

Tfs,
TJutjut

Many thanks for your kind words on 100th Picture .

:-)) this afternoon

Czesc Tomku.
Coz za znakomite kolory. Kontrast pomiedzy czerwienomi a zielonymi liscmi i trawa jest wspanialy. Bardzo oryginalna kompozycja. Wiekszosc wybrala by pionowa kompozycje dla tego drzewka. Bardzo mi sie podoba.
Pozdrawiam
Wojtek

Witaj!
Bardzo ładne kolorki,Mi bagno kojarzy się ze Szrekiem. Dobre!
Pozdrawiam.
Michał

  • Great 
  • Saba Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 166 W: 0 N: 84] (1892)
  • [2007-09-27 5:24]

Witaj Tomeczku! Bagno zawsze kojarzy mi sie z czyms brzydkim, ponurym, natomiast to co nam pokazales jest bardzo ladne! Zielone listeczki na przemian z czerwonymi wygladaja wrecz zachwycajaco. Sliczne zdjecie, kolory i kontrast miedzy nimi, ostrosc - wspaniale! Udowodniles nam tez, ze juz naprawde zaczela sie JESIEN!!! Caluski BM.

no Tomku ladne listki dales
bardziej sa Polskie od tamtego kwiatuszka ! te mi sie bardziej podobaja
super swiatlo , ciekawy kadr no i kolorki
istne perfecto !! podoba mi sie chociaz nie czytalem opisu do tego jeszcze ..
pisz krocej bo nie mam czasu na takie dlugie lektury hehe
Maciej

  • Great 
  • milas Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2166 W: 385 N: 2277] (24684)
  • [2007-09-27 8:49]

merhaba myfriend Tom...
verynice composition and shot...super colors..bravo..selamlar

Hi Tomasz,
Great colourful image, showing perfect the mood of autumn. Superb posting my friend!
TFS
Hans

:) Later...

Is a beautiful nature shot, great colors brigthness and details,
Greetings from Spain
John T

That contrast is spectacular! I enjoy the way it is show with behind, yes as you mention, i recognize the style of vegetation typical of many calm water border! Interlines of yellow and green basically please my a lot too!

  • Great 
  • inaam Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1719 W: 5 N: 389] (1376)
  • [2007-09-27 16:20]

Good Morning my brother Tom,

Red colors of leafs among the swamp plantation is looking pretty attractive in this beautiful composition. Fine details and awesome luminosity are the valued features. Excellent shot my friend, well done.

Thanks for sharing this image.

witaj Tomku!
swietne kolory i ostrosc!pieknie wyszlo!
pozdrawiam!
Monika

Cześć!
Miśkowi ze Shrekiem a mnie Swamp to zawsze MASH i Sokole Oko i bimberek i imprezki i Frank z Gorącymi Wargami.Na samą myśl morda mi si ę cieszy.
Pozdrawiam.
Cezar

GREAT shot here Tom! I love the colors in this! Very sharp!!
I've been there! It's a beautiful state and you must be traveling all over the south! Be careful of the rednecks! The boys with the shotguns in the back rack of their trucks! HA!
B-)
Linda

Czesc Tomku,

Pieknie! Strasznie podobaja mi sie tutaj kolory, to polaczenie zieleni z czerwienia, niezwykle soczyste i zywe.
Kompozycja oryginalna, ciekawa i rownoczescie cieszaca oko! :)
Pozdrawiam,
Iza

Wyraziste i ostre barwy. Bardzo cieszace oko zdjecie :)

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF