Pirate Adventures

Wildlife Abounds at Jean Lafitte National Park’s Barataria Preserve

Encounter date: March 28, 2019

This national park is a real New Orleans-area treasure, with boardwalk trails through amazingly lush wetlands and swamp, filled to the brim with birds, amphibians and reptiles just waiting to be found by the curious adventurer.

Where Were You?

While staying with friends in New Orleans, we embarked on a short day trip to one area of this vast six-site historical park and preserve, named for an early 19th century French pirate and smuggler who set up operations in Barataria Bay, south of New Orleans.

The Barataria Preserve is a 23,000-acre wetland park, and we traversed the 3.5 miles (roundtrip) of the three connected trails: Palmetto, Bayou Coquille and Marsh Overlook.

Save the Little Rays of Sunshine

Barataria is actively engaged in nest box projects to buoy the declining population of the Prothonotary Warbler. March/April is prime courtship and nest time, so the Palmetto trail had so many of these adorable birds singing their hearts out. There are nest boxes all along the Visitor’s Center Trail and part of the Palmetto trail.

These vibrant little Prothonotary Warblers are still surprisingly hard to spot in the swampy undergrowth as you walk along the boardwalk trails. - Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve - Palmetto Trail, outside New Orleans, LA — These vibrant little Prothonotary Warblers are still surprisingly hard to spot in the swampy undergrowth as you walk along the boardwalk trails. – Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve – Palmetto Trail, outside New Orleans, LA

Prothonotary Warbler claiming an abandoned woodpecker hole along the trail...charming to see one in a natural nest. - Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve - Palmetto Trail, outside New Orleans, LA — Prothonotary Warbler claiming an abandoned woodpecker hole along the trail…charming to see one in a natural nest. – Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve – Palmetto Trail, outside New Orleans, LA

“Look at the Fake Alligator!”

Thank goodness the people in front of us that uttered that phrase did not follow it with reaching out or otherwise poking said alligator because it certainly wasn’t fake.

At least a half-dozen gators were easily visible during our hike. - Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve - Palmetto Trail, outside New Orleans, LA — At least a half-dozen gators were easily visible during our hike. – Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve – Palmetto Trail, outside New Orleans, LA

It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day in the swamp and the American Alligators were hauled out and sunning all along the trails. They were all varying degrees of “small,” and really fun to observe the beautiful texture of their skin glistening in the sun and their toothy grins.

Glamour Shot...even an alligator deserves some artistic cropping and filtering! - Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve - Palmetto Trail, outside New Orleans, LA — Glamour Shot…even an alligator deserves some artistic cropping and filtering! – Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve – Palmetto Trail, outside New Orleans, LA

"This preserve is a little slice of heaven for the wildlife fortunate enough to call it home," says Toothy Gator to the paparazzi. - Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve - Marsh Overlook Trail, outside New Orleans, LA — “This preserve is a little slice of heaven for the wildlife fortunate enough to call it home,” says Toothy Gator to the paparazzi. – Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve – Marsh Overlook Trail, outside New Orleans, LA

Turtle-Pace

Even on a Thursday, the trails at Barataria were pretty hopping. I am usually the slow-poke who has to be prodded along the trails to move along, so I was delighted that all four of our party were engrossed in a creepy-crawly slow-paced hike along the trails, stopping frequently to observe the cornucopia of amphibians, reptiles, bugs and plants along the way.

April's warmth was also waking up the swamp's snake population and we saw SO MANY small snakes, like these two. I think they are a Western Ribbon Snake with a Banded Watersnake, but reptile ID is not my strong suit. - Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve - Palmetto Trail, outside New Orleans, LA — Late March’s warmth was also waking up the swamp’s snake population and we saw SO MANY small snakes, like these two. I think they are a Western Ribbon Snake with a Banded Watersnake, but reptile ID is not my strong suit. – Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve – Palmetto Trail, outside New Orleans, LA

Frogs are so awesome. I think this is a Blanchard's Cricket Frog, who was sitting in the shade right next to the trail. - Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve - Palmetto Trail, outside New Orleans, LA — Frogs are so awesome. I think this is a Blanchard’s Cricket Frog, who was sitting in the shade right next to the trail. – Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve – Palmetto Trail, outside New Orleans, LA

Turtles were also in abundance. We watched this one work for about five minutes to get itself unstuck from a stump. - Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve - Marsh Overlook Trail, outside New Orleans, LA — Turtles were also in abundance. We watched this one work for about five minutes to get itself unstuck from a stump. – Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve – Marsh Overlook Trail, outside New Orleans, LA

I'm with you, turtle friend - some days, it's all about keeping your head above water. - Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve - Marsh Overlook Trail, outside New Orleans, LA — I’m with you, turtle friend – some days, it’s all about keeping your head above water. – Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve – Marsh Overlook Trail, outside New Orleans, LA

We can't forget the ubiquitous Green Anole, which I would argue is the official mascot of New Orleans just based purely on population. - Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve Trails, outside New Orleans, LA — We can’t forget the ubiquitous Green Anole, which I would argue is the official mascot of New Orleans just based purely on population. – Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve Trails, outside New Orleans, LA

The Cajuns Call 'Em "Devil's Horses" - also known as eastern lubber grasshoppers - were amassed as teeny-tiny versions of the 2-3" monsters they will ultimately become. They were creepy enough this small, so I'll pass on seeing the adults, thanks. - Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve Trails, outside New Orleans, LA — The Cajuns Call ‘Em “Devil’s Horses” – also known as eastern lubber grasshoppers – were amassed as teeny-tiny versions of the 2-3″ monsters they will ultimately become. They were creepy enough this small, so I’ll pass on seeing the adults, thanks. – Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve Trails, outside New Orleans, LA

Lunch for Herons & Egrets

It’s always fun to watch the big, face-sword, stabby birds prowl around on the hunt for prey, and Barataria’s trail provided some entertaining opportunities.

At the very beginning of the Bayou Coquille Trail, we spotted this Yellow-crowned Night Heron eying a dragonfly. - Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve - Bayou Coquille Trail, outside New Orleans, LA — At the very beginning of the Bayou Coquille Trail, we spotted this Yellow-crowned Night Heron eying a dragonfly. – Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve – Bayou Coquille Trail, outside New Orleans, LA

Because of its natural wide-eyed look, I couldn't help but imagine this Yellow-crowned Night Heron was a vegetarian horrified with its own urges, thinking "WHAT HAVE I DONE?" - Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve - Bayou Coquille Trail, outside New Orleans, LA — Because of its natural wide-eyed look, I couldn’t help but imagine this Yellow-crowned Night Heron was a vegetarian horrified with its own urges, thinking “WHAT HAVE I DONE?” – Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve – Bayou Coquille Trail, outside New Orleans, LA

Even when you don't nail the shot, sometimes you capture an expression you can't pass up. Clearly, the minnow had other plans when the Great Egret snapped it up. - Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve - Marsh Overlook Trail, outside New Orleans, LA — Even when you don’t nail the shot, sometimes you capture an expression you can’t pass up. Clearly, the minnow had other plans when the Great Egret snapped it up. – Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve – Marsh Overlook Trail, outside New Orleans, LA

This Great Egret went all the way to the end of the overlook and fished just behind the treeline for most of our trail-end break. Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve - Marsh Overlook Trail, outside New Orleans, LA — This Great Egret went all the way to the end of the overlook and fished just behind the treeline for most of our trail-end break. Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve – Marsh Overlook Trail, outside New Orleans, LA

Serenity in the Swamp

It’s easy on a temperate spring day to find yourself outside of time and unwilling to return to civilization. If you ever find yourself within striking distance of this beautiful park, I encourage you to stop by and enjoy the day…the naturalist in you won’t be disappointed!

Spring is the perfect time to get lost in the serenity of this lush park. - Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve - Marsh Overlook Trail, outside New Orleans, LA — Spring is the perfect time to get lost in the serenity of this lush park. – Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve – Marsh Overlook Trail, outside New Orleans, LA

Just in case you thought mammals weren't representing in Barataria, Uninterested Eastern Gray Squirrel would like to refute that notion. - Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve Trails, outside New Orleans, LA — Just in case you thought mammals weren’t representing in Barataria, Uninterested Eastern Gray Squirrel would like to refute that notion. – Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve Trails, outside New Orleans, LA

Four Firsts!

Like any card-carrying bird nerd, I have a running ABA (American Bird Association) spreadsheet of all the species I’ve seen, and this trip offered four new additions.

Prothonotary Warbler - Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve - Palmetto Trail, outside New Orleans, LA — Prothonotary Warbler – Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve – Palmetto Trail, outside New Orleans, LA

Northern Parula - Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve - Palmetto Trail, outside New Orleans, LA — Northern Parula – Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve – Palmetto Trail, outside New Orleans, LA

Yellow-crowned Night Heron - Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve - Bayou Coquille Trail, outside New Orleans, LA — Yellow-crowned Night Heron – Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve – Bayou Coquille Trail, outside New Orleans, LA

Gray Catbird - Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve Trails, outside New Orleans, LA — Gray Catbird – Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve Trails, outside New Orleans, LA

Trackbacks

Love Birds? | Love Knows No Bounds for This Interspecies Pair says:

February 12, 2020 at 11:35 pm

[…] Each year, I return to the languid pace, rich culture, and deep roots that make New Orleans a magical city. A place with something for everyone, it’s a veritable wonderland for birding, with rich wetlands in a migratory corridor that turns every spring into an adventure. […]