Point of Vue Takes a Wetland Tour
This week I had the distinct pleasure of meeting the handsome, young editor of POV magazine. This tour was scheduled to take place on September 5th, but as you well know, I was evacuated at that time and waiting to see where Hurricane Ike was going to make landfall.
Editor Justin Martin continued to check on me through email and then phone calls after my return down the bayou. He seemed to be more concerned about our well being than he did about getting a tour and and article, so when the time came, I was happy to accommodate him.
I don’t usually post about every wetland tour I have the honor of doing, but this one turned out pretty neat. There were no time restraints, and Justin seemed genuinely interested in the rantings of an impassioned Bayou Woman about the problems, causes, and solutions.
It was great to see that the canal leading into the Mauvais Bois Cypress Ridge was clear of hurricane debris. After Hurricane Rita, so much marsh hand been chunked up and pushed into this canal it was impassable. See the cypress trees in the background?
They seem to have fared the storm well. Even though there was storm-driven saltwater intruding into this area, I think by the time it got this far to the northwest, it had been absorbed and diluted to the point that it posed no direct threat to these trees, thank God and nature.
Producer Stephanie Kovac and I made a post-hurricane tour of the cypress swamp two weeks ago, and determined that the “browning” of the cypress needles was more due to the time of year than saltwater intrusion. Again, thank the heavenlies.
In the process of explaining to the editor of POV what an “educational wetland eco-tour” covers, I reminded him that I do not feed wild gators (nor any of the wildlife) and that if we see an alligator (or any wildlife) it will be lagniappe (a bonus)!
And what a day it was for gators. I guess he could have called me a liar when I told him we don’t always see gators on this tour route.
Since I was manning the wheel for Martin and his photo shots, Termite grabbed my camera and went to town. All photo credit belongs to him on these shots. Enjoy!
How many gators do you see? Actually, there were 3!
Termite: “Mom, can you unjoin LOWA so I can enter these photos in the Youth Photo Contest next year?”
Termite: “Back up Mom!! I see one in there.”
Me: “Ok, but I don’t think you will be able to focus through the branches.”
Termite: “Don’t worry about that. Just back up the boat, okay?”
Me: “Aye aye, Captain!”
By golly! He did it! And people don’t think he takes his own photos. Well, now I have editor Martin as my witness!!! The camera never touched my hands!!!
Smile for the camera!!!
“Back up again, Mom, that one has his mouth open!”
It was a great pleasure having Justin Martin on my boat. He was inquisitive and attentive. I hope he got some good fodder for his December issue. I’ll let you know when it comes out!
Home isn’t home yet, but I just can’t stay off the water. Selfish, no?
BW
Nice shots, Termite! Sure is nice to be “Home Schooled” huh? You’re giving him a great education, BW.
Just incredible shots! I had chills just looking at them. Was that last one hissing at y’all? Great work! And you look so happy and content. Thanks for sharing.
Pretty good shots, T_man. Those yankees I work with see this they will be back thinking you got to stop on 90 and 1 to drag gators off the road all the time. I can’t wait for my Vue to head down.
Those shots stand up to BW & PW!!!! I see a natural career choice shaping up there. With his talent in writing about Louisiana wildlife, his obvious photography skills, and the rich education hes getting from growing up on the bayou and from your endless wealth of knowledge, the step to wildlife writer/photographer will be a short one!!! Will be looking for his name in print…….errrr but it prolly wont be penned under Termite..??..?.?…..? LOL
Those are REALLY REALLY impressive shots Termite.
Debbi
Okay little Termite-brother, listen to these people… I’m thinking photojournalism career. Seriously. If you can ever be as fortunate as I am to have a job that involves doing something you love and not just something you tolerate, go for it! Think about it. (Mommer, make him think about it!)
Super photography Termite! Your photos are fantastic! I agree that you ought to consider a career having to do with photography.
Ok, Dotter, that’s you Rach, all he can think about right now is duck hunting, duck blinds, duck calls, and duck dogs. He is about to drive me CRAZY, and that is no lie!
Anyway, I’ll be sure and call him in here so he can read your comments. He won an award for a photo several years ago (I’ll post it here another day when i have my external with me) and he got a second-place certificate. That was not enough for him. He wanted CASH with that 15 seconds of fame!
I will encourage him, and thank all of you for encouraging him, too!
BW
Wonderful pictures. Perhaps he could write a little piece with photos and submit it to POV? Let’s see…that would be English, keyboarding skills, fine arts, reading comprehension to figure out how to submit it….
Those pics remind me of the time you took Gypsy, Fiddler, and me out. I believe the counted 50 gators on that tour. And I remember the ones that would swim (menacingly it seemed to me) toward the boat as we approached. We surmised that perhaps someone had been feeding them?
Is that first pic of Liner Canal?
Heather – Well, what subject covers “self assurance” and “self confidence”? Because he asked Editor Martin if he could write for POV. Honestly! He asked me him he would be interested in a “Youth Hunting Corner”!!! Can you believe that? And the editor told him sure!!! He said writing is the one job he knows of in which there are no limitations.
Yes that is Liner Canal!!! I’m so proud of you!! And yes that tour we took was a “50-gator day”, but it was a much bigger loop. Believe it or not, these photos were all taken right near the dam at the Mauvais Bois!! And none of them seemed disturbed by our presence. It seemed like they were enjoying one last day of sunshine before they have to hibernate.
Awesome photos Termite!!
Wish I was there to see all those gators with you guys. Hopefully after the new year.
Be glad to have you any time, Kelly!