The season’s moving along

I’m still making visits to the swamp; not much time for other outdoor stuff… even must curb my usual July bowhunting eagerness. The summer is advancing; I could see it in the swamp. Water levels were low; afternoon showers were only making things muddy, not accumulating much water. Garry, the tree frog was still perched in his niche, but Charlotte spider seemed to have done away with her web and was standing guard over an egg clutch. I noticed that her abdomen was much smaller than my previous picture, too.

Brief visits to the swamp

Well, I’ve been pretty strung- out in recent times. I’ve suffered a bit from Nature- deficit disorder, but a few quick jaunts through the Bluebonnet Swamp have helped… wish I’d had that resource available during my student days. Br’er Box Turtle seemed to have found a muscadine treat. It’s been warm and humid in the swamp, and the critters have not been very active during the heat of the day.

Sneaked off to the Atchafalaya

Some friends had planned camping at Butte La Rose for the 4th of July weekend, and I finally managed to go meet them Saturday afternoon. The water was high and the fish weren’t biting; it was hot and steamy, the mosquitoes and gnats were bad. Despite all that, the campground was full and everybody passed a good time. There was lots of talk, beer, music, dance, and food. I set a trotline and stayed out of the partying; every time I went to run my line, the festivities were still continuing. It had finally quieted down when I took up my lines at sunrise. I caught enough catfish for supper, but not enough to justify my four- dollar- a- gallon travel expense.

Frogs in the swamp

This hollow tree beside the swamp trail often has a tree frog in residence. This fellow was sitting in the favorite crack yesterday... I don't know what his smirk- expression was about. There's a photo at the Nature Center, dated 2004, of that same tree, with an identical tree frog in the same crack. This guy doesn't look particularly old and gray, so I guess he must be a great- great- grandchild.