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Louisiana: Lake Martin & the Heron Rookery Places Visited:
Wednesday, June 22: Acadiana City Park & Campground in Lafayette, Louisiana. $13 for 50-amp & water with central dump paved interior roads & sites: N30° 49.436' W91° 59.417' We have so much to see and do in this area and we are determined to pack it in. Our first place to visit was Lake Martin a few miles southeast of Lafayette where the Nature Conservancy maintains a heron rookery. We have visited this rookery many times but never in June. We were expecting to see alligators since it is so hot. We didn't see any. There was too much vegetation that obscured our view of their sunning spots. We did see the last vestiges of this seasons hatch in the rookery. When we were here in mid-March herons were building nests while some were already incubating eggs. Most of those herons are long gone having raised their chicks. The young fledglings have followed their parents to parts unknown. Nature Conservancy heron rookery on Lake Martin near Lafayette, Louisiana
Now those same nests appear to be occupied by cattle egrets. We see a few hundred roseate spoonbills that have yet to fledge and some tri colored herons that are not only sitting on eggs but also feeding young. Tri colored herons were nesting when we were here in March so I suspect that these may have lost a chick or something like that and are going through a second try at this breeding season.
Fledgling Roseatte Spoonbills at the Nature Conservancy heron rookery on Lake Martin near Lafayette, Louisiana
When adult these roseatte spoonbills will be bright pink. These juvenile birds were actually more pink than the pics show ----- the bright light washed out the pink.
Fledgling Great Egrets at the Nature Conservancy heron rookery on Lake Martin near Lafayette, Louisiana
A few hundred great egret chicks have yet to fledge. They look just like adults in size and coloration. They have abandoned their nests and spend time hopping around in the tree tops and flapping wings in mock flight. These young egrets will be out of here along with their parents in a few days.
Little Green Heron at the Nature Conservancy heron rookery on Lake Martin near Lafayette, Louisiana
This little green heron was feeding near the bustling rookery.
Great Egret at the Nature Conservancy heron rookery on Lake Martin near Lafayette, Louisiana
We watched as this egret ate the snail in his bill.
We see scattered yellow crowned night heron chicks that have left the nest but are not yet feeding themselves. Many are not in the original nest tree but have not taken real flight to join their parents in the feeding grounds away from this rookery. We were really surprised to see all the cattle egrets occupying the nests where we saw snowy egrets, little blue herons, Louisiana herons, green herons, roseate spoonbills and great egrets in mid-March. I wonder if this is normal behavior for cattle egrets or if this is an isolated case?
Lake Martin near the Nature Conservancy heron rookery near Lafayette, Louisiana
The swamp around the rookery is so beautiful and serene. The drive along rookery road is so special it is worth doing even if the herons are not in full force in the rookery.
Lake Martin near the Nature Conservancy heron rookery Lafayette, Louisiana
When we were here in mid-March cypress trees were bare (that is why they call them "bald cypress" because they drop their needles in the winter), now they are fully clothed in their beautiful green attire making it much more difficult to see even a few feet back into the rookery. During the early spring we can see 100 yards or so back into this dense rookery. The only birds and nests now visible are those in the trees that line the perimeter.
Lake Martin near the Nature Conservancy heron rookery Lafayette, Louisiana
Lotis blooms on Lake Martin near the Nature Conservancy heron rookery Lafayette, Louisiana
No swamp scene would be complete without the ubiquitous lotis so here they are. Aren't they beautiful?
Wild iris in Lake Martin near the Nature Conservancy heron rookery Lafayette, Louisiana
Iris grow wild along the road. If you are here when they are in bloom you get a special treat.
Click here for some Louisiana travellogsUntil next time remember how good life is. More Louisiana AdventuresAdventures by State ** More 2005 Travel Adventures
Mike & Joyce Hendrix
Mike & Joyce Hendrix who we are We hope you liked this page. If you do you might be interested in some of our other Travel Adventures: Mike & Joyce Hendrix's home page Travel Adventures by Year ** Travel Adventures by State ** Plants ** Marine-Boats ** Geology ** Exciting Drives ** Cute Signs ** RV Subjects ** Miscellaneous Subjects
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