New Orleans, LA, USA

[sury]

The still working draw bridge on Pearl River.

[aster]

.

I absolutely love that lift/draw bridge, Sury. Good piece of technological history there.
Is this a tour on the on the swamp area? Most interesting.

Thanks for sharing,
Yildiz

[sury]

Yildiz, thank you and yes, it is in the swamp area. The water is about 2 M deep but the danger is the bottom which is loose soil and getting stuck in that mud is not a smart thing with plenty alligators abound.

[smulnik]

NOLA! Cafe Beignet! Crawfish! errr... uhh... On second thought, let's skip the crawfish. Maybe some shrimp gumbo instead?

The rrrraa-ca-ca-coon is cute! I hope that it knows about the alligators. That draw bridge is pretty cool too. That's a photo that if it were in black and white, it could easily pass as being from the mid 1900s. I like the twisted tree, and the musicians as well. And I really like the photo of you and your wife!

I've only been to New Orleans twice: Summer of 1984 for the World's Fair, and 2000 for Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras was just too insane for me, but I have some cousins that insist on attending every year. I preferred the slower pace of the Summer season. It allowed for the enjoyment of the subtle nuansces of the city, and the fun of the street musicians that you captured in your photos.
Thanks for the memories, Sury!
Sig

[sury]

Sig,
I am glad these photos have taken you down the memory lane.





A baby croc

[ValeryD]

Sury! Very good shots!

[sury]

Thank you Valery. I am keeping in mind your suggestion about being more personal with the environs and practicing the concept.
Hopefully in my future contributions you see that more and more.

Sig, is this what you had in mind or more sepia/aged look?

[sury]

Few more...

[aster]

.

It's great to meet some of the curious permanent residents, Sury.
Just a tad eerie but great experience around the swamp.

Thanks for sharing,
Yildiz

[sury]

Yes, indeed, Yildiz.

[smulnik]

Sig, is this what you had in mind or more sepia/aged look?

Yes, that is exactly what I was thinking. Thank you! I've been sitting here and admiring that photo for some time now. It seems to take me back to another time.
I also like the close up of the croc/gator quietly sitting in the water.

Sig

[sury]

Sig,
I am very happy that this series is taking you down the memory lane. Something to be said about serendipity.





I was struggling to get the crocodile into the patch of sunlight. I was caught between missing a shot versus getting a
good one. My luck prevailed.

[jbtaylor]

"I was struggling to get the crocodile into the patch of sunlight."

Did you consider strapping some raw chicken thighs to your legs and wading in?

Excellent shot.
JT

[sury]

JT,
I am a scaridy cat to do it so I "chickened" out. More over it would be cruel and unusual
punishment to Crocodile to try this "tasteless" (pun intended) photographer.





Feeding the wild life for tourists sake, "dollars sake", this is one way the tour operators get to
have the crocs come to the boat for the pleasure of paying customers. I am guilty of encouraging
such practice because I too paid for it.

[aster]

.

The wildlife is apparently very active and abundant in the swamp which is encouraging. Apparently they are shy of human activities unless prompted by food of sorts. Crocodiles are extraordinary animals and best behave cautiously in their zone but hopefully they won't rely on human sources like seagulls do these days. I remember reading that feeding the seagulls was started by some local restaurants that dumped excess food around the beaches and then they got used to feeding on human food and untimely attacks became a thing on beaches where beach-goers brought along food and other delicacies.

I like how tranquil the area is or as it appears in the shots. Glad you were not setting your feet outside the boat …
Thanks for sharing, Sury.
Yildiz