Seeing my swamp through another photographer's eyes . . .
. . . was a very eye-opening experience. This is Chris Granger from the Westbank of New Orleans. It was my professional pleasure to take him on a photo shoot for Southern Breeze Magazine, a Gulf Coast quarterly. His photos will be seen in the summer issue, accompanying an article about this area written by my colleague, Deb Burst.
It brings me a deep sense of pride when I share the beauty of the Mauvais Bois Swamp with a newcomer–especially one with such an eye for the hidden details.
While we listened to the sounds of the swamp, Chris took photos from all angles, seeing something different every time, no doubt.
I decided to pull my camera out and see what he might be seeing through his lenses.
Mind if I share a couple of my favorites?
“Mosslight”
“Swamp Nest”
“Tinsel Moss”
“Dimensions”
It was a great experience being with Chris. He is about the 20th photographer I’ve had on my boat, and he has no idea how much he taught me.
Thank you, Chris. I hope the cover shot and the inside spread get this disappearing place of great beauty the attention it deserves.
Wow, these are great!!! I agree with watching someone else’s view of our beloved sites. They offer such wonderful and unique perspectives to things we see everyday. These are really beautiful shots. Looks like what could be a preview to a 2009 swamp beauty calendar……….? lol
Deb
How gorgeous… I really love how you love your swamp. Its a part of you and when you write or talk about it – you really get that across to us. 🙂
You and Deb just made my morning! I do love it, and if the marsh south of here is not restored, then there is nothing to stop the northward advance of saltwater intrusion,which will kill this swamp. This swamp and the bayou people are the reasons I do what I do–write, speak, blog, photograph. The Louisiana wetlands support a culture and way of life like no other in America. It would be a crying shame to see them cease to exist . . .
Beautiful. The Spanish Moss is breathtaking. I love seeing the swamps through your eyes. You know them and their beauty so well. Thank you for sharing this place with us.
It is my pleasure and honor to do so. Thanks for coming back by, Sue!
It’s always good to see how someone else sees something that you see often. It gives you a different perspective. Your pictures are beautiful. I love the swamp also and for the moments I look at your pictures, I am back in the swamp and in Louisiana.
Beautiful photographs! The cypress and the Spanish moss are stunning.
Have a question for you, a bit frivolous but important to me nonetheless, and no one seems to be able to answer. Perhaps you can.
In the recent film Princess & Frog, there is a scene in the swamp, approaching the old voodoo woman’s shack, where numerous bottles have been hung from the limbs.
I’ve seen this sort of ‘decor’ depicted in bayou and swamp scenes before. Always wondered what the actual purpose of those hanging bottles was. Do you know? Disney’s not divulging the info.
Greatly appreciate your response.
As you might know, this is not the first movie to feature the bottle trees; however, it is the first animated one to do so. From what I understand, the folklore comes from Africa, along with the roots of VooDoo. The bottles are hung in the trees to capture evil spirits. Then they believed that the spirits could not leave the bottles, and in the morning, the sunlight would kill the evil spirits! Does that help? Thanks so much for stopping by, for the kind words, and please come back often. We love meeting new folks here at BW and we eve give away gifts from Community Coffee weekly!!! BW Also check your email!