Drifting through a Backwater Bayou Cypress Grove

[DemoTex]

Atchafalaya Basin, Louisana
© 2019 Bo Zarts Studio

[judesedit]

1. I just love Spanish moss

[Cracklin Charlie]

2. Did you fish?

I used to fish with my dad in some cypress lakes and bays. Lovely!

[captain queeg]

31. Seems like a good place for LM bass, is it?

[Cracklin Charlie]

32. The cypress bays I went to did have large mouth.

And small mouth bass. We would usually have been fishing for crappie in the cypress bays, cause there are lots of places to snag around all those trees. Light tackle was best, we usually used a cane pole in amongst the trees.

I remember once hooking an alligator gar in a cypress bay that was about three feet long. The hook somehow went right through one of his front fins. I pulled it up to the boat, and screamed. Daddy grabbed the line with one hand, his needle nose pliers with the other, held the fish against the boat, and cut the barb off the hook.

Giant, scary fish swam away, swishing his tail. I still dream about that fish. He may be there yet.

[MLAA]

3. The water is like glass. Beautiful.

[alwaysinasnit]

4. Just, WOW.

[Chainfire]

5. That is a gorgeous shot. Beautiful subject and work!

I would love a print of it. 40x24, matt, framed in Cypress. (of course) Thank you!

[SergeStorms]

6. Beautiful.

Brings back fond memories of my own excursions into various swamps.

Great picture, DemoTex.

[flamin lib]

7. f8 and be there. The creed of the photojournalist.

Sounds simple and easy. "If I were there I could take that picture!"

The only time I have felt in danger of losing my life was in a place like this on Caddo Lake. I had canoed deep into the bayous photographing flora and fauna. It was August, the temp was 104f and the Cypress trees were 50 feet tall. There was no movement in the air. I ran out of water. I began to feel lightheaded and stopped sweating. I thought I might cool off if I got out of the canoe and into the water. The water was as warm as the air. With humidity that close to the water and no air movement there was no evaporation.

I paddled out into the middle of the bayou and was fortunate to encounter a bass boat who shared a bottle of water and towed me back to what passes as civilization in Uncertain, TX.

Yeah, just f8 and be there. The f8 part is easy but being there can kill you.

I admire your work and diligence and determination it takes to 'be there'.

[DemoTex]

8. Thanks! And Caddo Lake is another favorite on mine ..

Caddo Lake
Uncertain, Texas
©2018 Bo Zarts Studio

[azureblue]

18. Google

South Louisiana is beautiful. Long time ago I worked in those parts. I like to use Google maps and street view for a bit of a get away. Try searching for Chauvin, LA, Morgan City, La. State road 1 from Golden Meadow on South. And play a bit of Blue Bayou while you do it.

[ChazInAz]

22. Tucsonan, here.

We loves our Linda.

[NoRoadUntravelled]

21. Beautiful!

[Karadeniz]

9. That is just flat amazing!!!

[Dem2theMax]

10. Every time I see a DemoTex photograph,

I want to put the place on my bucket list, and make sure I get to see it in person someday.

Yet another stunning photograph. Thank you for sharing your amazing talent with us. And thank you for transporting us to a different place for a moment. It is much needed and appreciated.

[SunSeeker]

11. Gorgeous. I can almost feel the mosquitos landing on my arms.

[azureblue]

19. and I can feel

three of then trying to carry me away.

[AllaN01Bear]

12. ohm myyy.

[trof]

13. That's the very first place I though of even before I saw the photo.

Atchafalaya
Great photo.
Were you in a pirogue?
.-)

[DemoTex]

14. If "pirogue" is French for kayak ..

Yes!

[trof]

15. Well, sorta.

"Jambalaya, crawfish pie, and a file' gumbo,
me gotta go pole the pirogue down the bayou"

A pirogue is just a cajun version of a canoe but the pirogue is MUCH less stable. Pirogues generally have a much lower profile in the water so they are not as affected by wind. They go much further per paddle stroke than a canoe does but if you are not used to one, they can be VERY tippy.

Usually made from one tree trunk.
But I know you knew that.

[burrowowl]

16. Nice shot!

[Livbaker]

17. very

beautiful!

[NoRoadUntravelled]

20. Imagining myself sitting there. So quiet. Still.

Thanks for posting this. A respite from the onslaught of the daily madness.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

23. Powerful photo. Crop the bright reflections (bottom fifth) and it will be even more powerful

They are distracting and they are unnecessary to tell the story the picture tells.

[DemoTex]

25. Yep. Did some burning and vignetting in a subsequent version ..

But I can't crop it out. The 16-to-9 crop ratio is essential to the image, and I can't slide up on the original.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

26. Try cropping bottom and right to keep 16:9

The bright green bit on the left is the key to the photo. The thin white strip at the waterline is a secondary key for the eye. Keep both.

[Hekate]

24. Sometimes I luck out and something wonderful is on the home page

I’m out of adjectives, but stunning comes close. Thank you.

[colorado_ufo]

27. Snakes to the left of me

Gators to the right
Here I am, stuck in the pirogue with you!

[PatrickforO]

28. Almost like another world! Excellent photo. nt

[Swamp Country Po Boy]

29. Boy from Breaux Bridge Here!

[DemoTex]

30. Love that CCR song, and the video!

And I certainly know Breaux Bridge.