Great Egret having breakfast

These images were captured while kayaking on Bogue Falaya, Covington, LA. A slow and easy paddle toward my subject paid off. It's hard to believe the egret could swallow a fish this size.

Great Egret

Got Ya!

Launch

Too close for comfort..... I need a bigger boat!

Louisiana Alligator

I had a heart racing experience today on the bayou.  Kayaking in a 10' plastic kayak and having a 8 to 10 foot alligator swim up close to me is not what I had planned for today. It's funny how vulnerable a person feels floating only a few inches off the water's surface. Of course rather than paddle away, I grabbed my camera and started shooting.  Got a few keepers before I decided it was best to paddle on in the opposite direction.  Enough excitement for one day.

Image was captured on Cane Bayou in Mandeville, LA, using a Canon Rebel T3i with 55-250mm lens.  Shot at 250mm, ISO 1600, 1/400 sec at f11.

The best lens you can buy is a $300 kayak.

On a recent trip to Bayou Sauvage NWR I met a professional wildlife photographer.  The professional's advice was " the best lens you can buy is a $300 kayak".  Acting on his advice I purchased a 10' basic kayak from Walmart.  I also picked up a 40L dry bag to protect my camera.

Sun Dolphin Kayak at Walmart
Attwood Dry Bag

WOW, I should have purchased the kayak much sooner.  My first trip was two hour slow and relaxing cruise on Bayou Castine in Mandeville, LA.  I launched at the North Lake Nature Center.  The kayak more than met my expectations. It provided a stable platform while photographing and allowed me to quietly maneuver very close to wildlife.    In the case of the Heron (pictured below) I was able to maneuver within about 10 yards of the bird without spooking it.  Most importantly the camera remained dry. My only regret was using my cheap kit lens out fear of water damage should I capsize the kayak.  I am planning a trip soon to Cane Bayou in Lacombe, La.

Below are few links I found helpful.

Paddling.net
Louisiana Travel
Northlake Nature Center

 A few examples of my photographs from the Bayou Castine kayaking trip.

Heron at Bayou Castine

Wet Raccoon. 

Little Blue Heron enjoys a snack

Little Blue Heron

I ran across this Little Blue Heron enjoying a snack at Fontainebleau State Park.  The Heron slowly walked along the water's edge plucking crayfish from the bottom of the pond.

The little blue heron (Egretta caerulea) is a small heron. It breeds in the Gulf states of the US, through Central America and the Caribbean south to Peru and Uruguay. It is a resident breeder in most of its range, but some northern breeders migrate to the southeastern US or beyond in winter. There is post-breeding dispersal to well north of the nesting range, as far as the Canada–US border.  Wikipedia

Link to more info about the Little Blue Heron

Camera Info:  Canon Rebel T3i w/ 200mm F2.8L, shot at f5.6, 1/500 and ISO 1000.