26 Jan 2017
Alligator Refuge

Grey wooden bences on a boardwalk platform outside the Visitor Center Visitor Center

Entering Lake Charles, Louisiana, we passed the new refinery just being built. It is probably the largest we have ever seen and now is covered with workmen and equipment. Just past the refinery, the Golden Nugget and L'Auberge casinos rose above the flat land. Apart from these sights, Lake Charles looks like the Louisiana we remember. Our Best Western hotel is new. Like With tan marsh grasses in the background, and water plants on the surface, the ducks find their way through the marsh, dabbling for food Dabbling ducks many buildings we spotted along the major road, it is probably a result of the construction boom here.

We decided we would like to see wildlife, so we took ourselves off to the Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Standing on its stilt-like legs, the heron poses on the bank overlooking the waters of the marsh. Blue heron south of the city. The visitor center had some displays but nobody to talk to, so we went to the Pintail Wildlife Drive and Boardwalk. Almost at once we found birds to admire: herons, including the stately great blue herons; egrets; ducks of all varieties; coots and gallinules. The black hide of the alligator is studded with armor projections as the alligator sits quietly in the sun Alligator on a bank

Our boardwalk made a large circle just above the swamp water. On this beautifully sunny day we were alone with the birds except for one man who was replacing broken boards along the walk. We were happy to take our time along the path. In Head raised above the water level, the alligator lies motionless in the marsh water among the plants Alligator in the water addition to the birds, we hoped to see alligators although signs told us they go dormant in the winter-would they be in the burrows they create for themselves?

We finished the boardwalk, pleased to see all of the birds but still hoping for alligators. The drive continued a bit South. Suddenly we found one gator and then aother and another. Some were half submerged in the water, some were on the shore, but all were sublimely unbothered by our presence.

Seldom is it possible to see such a rich collection of wild creatures - ahh, Louisiana!