1. Paddling and Bird Watching
Surround yourself with nature at the Cypress Island Nature Preserve at Lake Martin. The lake features a swampy ecosystem that supports colonial nesting water birds, alligators, nutria, turtles, frogs, snakes, lizards, and native flora and fauna.
Lake Martin is an excellent spot for bird watching as it’s one of the state’s largest nesting colonies for a number of species. Be on the lookout for great blue heron, anhinga, snowy egret, black-crowned night heron, and more. The lake is also home to a large nesting population of alligators. You can typically spot the alligators from Rookery Road, which runs along the lake’s shoreline.
Bring your kayak and paddle around the lake to catch a glimpse of the animals that call the lake home. If you prefer to stay on dry land, take a stroll around the lake or head to the visitor’s center to check out the boardwalk that is over the swamp.
2. Watch the Wildlife
Made of 860,000 acres of swamp, water prairies, and lakes, the Atchafalaya Basin is the largest river-basin swamp. The basin cuts a 15-mile-wide path across the state and is teeming with wildlife, making it the perfect spot for a day in a natural ‘zoo’. It is home to more than 300 species of birds. During the winter, you’ll find the country’s largest wintering population of American woodcock, along with wintering ducks and coots. The Floodway is home to more than 50,000 ibises, egrets, and herons, as well as the largest nesting concentration of bald eagles in the south central portion of the United States.
The basin isn’t just home to birds, as more than 90 species of crawfish, fish, shrimp, and crabs can be found in the waters as well. Additionally, you’ll find the American alligator and 65 species of amphibians and reptiles.
3. Hiking and Boating
Pack a picnic and go for a hike at Lake Fausse Point State Park in St. Martinville, about 16 miles southeast of Lafayette. The park it situated on 6,0000 acres that were once part of the Atchafalaya Basin and is surrounded by land that was once the home of the Chitimacha Indians. Bring your boat and launch it from one of the ramps to explore the waterways and pitch your tent for a night under the stars. The park also features a nature center with fun and entertaining programs and activities that teach the family about the environment. Take a hike down one of three hiking trails to get a close-up view of the wildlife and fauna. Tours are offered of nearby historic sites, such as Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site.
Head outside to explore the natural beauty of Lafayette and the surrounding area. With so much to do, the hardest part will be trying to decide what to enjoy first.
Image via Bettina Arrigoni via Flickr used under CC BY 2.0 / cropped from original
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