Flashback to April 2020

While trying to keep away from the public but not lose our minds, my husband and I have been venturing out a bit more than our usual comfort zone of Lake Pontchartrain. Last Sunday, we took our kayaks out for a leisurely (and this is important because I'm not in fast water current shape!) paddle down Cane Bayou. Cane Bayou is a lazy tributary on the north side of the lake and borders Fontainebleau State Park. It is accessed just past Mandeville, going east on Hwy 190 toward Lacombe and Slidell. Encompassing Pine Forest, Cypress Swamp and Salt Marsh, many creatures call this bayou home. On any given day, you may catch a Bass, a Bream (aka Sac-a-Lait), Catfish, Flounder, Gar, Redfish or even a Croaker. Bigger Redfish tend to patrol the deeper water of the bends; Bream like to hang out by the bridge supports and Sac-a-Lait prefer to hide in the cover of fallen trees.

Look up and you'll spy an Osprey Nest, who like fisherman, also love the large variety of fish. The waterway is also home to Wood Ducks, Cranes, Pelicans, Herons, Egrets and even Eagles! Alligators are plentiful and occasionally their heads and snouts pop up to greet you along the ride. Once Manatees called this area home but they haven't been spotted in many years. But, you will see Nutria who have made the bountiful swamps of Louisiana their home.

If you live anywhere nearby or are just visiting, I highly recommend spending some time on Cane Bayou. During the quarantine, you can rent canoes or kayaks from Bayou Adventures. http://www.bayouadventure.com When we are back to normal times, you can get a

Guided Swamp Tour of Cane Bayou or Bayou Lacombe!