Set 2: Interstate 49 - Lafayette to Shreveport, Louisana

Text and Photos Copyright ©2002 by Carolyne Butler

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All of the following pictures were taken on the return trip while driving south from Shreveport to Lafayette. I wanted to capture some of the subtle variations in the landscape as it changed when we drove the 200 miles from the rolling hills of northern Louisana to the flat and swampy southern part of the state.

— 1 of  9 —

Louisana horses in pasture

These graceful horses and the lush pastures caught my eye. (I almost missed this picture, and didn't have enough time to roll the window down to avoid the glare on the glass.)

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— 2 of  9 —

Lazy summer days

This drowsy farm scene is typical of the hazy days of summers in the Deep South. I prefer looking at scenes like this from the inside of an air conditioned vehicle, comfortably away from all that heat and humidity.

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— 3 of  9 —

Louisana pond with water plants

Little ponds and lakes abound. This one, typical of many, is almost covered with water lilies and other water plants.

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— 4 of  9 —

Another Louisana pond, cattle egrets

Cattle egrets, a "self-imported" white heron, can be seen as tiny white specks by the fence. Most folks call them "cow birds." Sometimes cattle egrets perch on cattle resting in the fields. I saw one big old contented bull with at least a half dozen cow birds perched all over him, and he didn't even seem to mind as he lay there chewing his cud. (Too bad I didn't have enough time to get that picture!) Sometimes these birds perch in trees, making a distant view of the tree look as if it has a great deal of white litter tangled up in its branches.

For more about these interesting imports, see http://www1.nhl.nl/~ribot/english/egib_ng.htm
and http://entowww.tamu.edu/extension/bulletins/uc/uc-002.html
and http://www.uksafari.com/cattleegret.htm
and a picture with cattle here: http://www.neoperceptions.com/fauna/birds/scbirds/images/cattleegret1.jpg.

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— 5 of  9 —

Grab yourself a fishing pole

If a body of water can hold fish, you can be sure to find other bodies there with a boat and a pole.

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— 6 of  9 —

Old farm buildings

Most farms have newer buildings than this one, but I thought this one looked interesting, hinting at bygone days.

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— 7 of  9 —

Louisana rice paddy

Rice paddies dot the landscape in certain areas along Interstate 49. This is another favorite place for cattle egrets and wading birds to gather.

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— 8 of  9 —

Louisana farmland

The clean lines of this particular dried-up cornfield juxtaposed to the adjoining green field caught my eye. (I'm not sure, but I think the green field was sugar cane.)

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— 9 of  9 —

Louisana home

The architecture of this house along I-49 is reminiscent of an older style still seen elsewhere in Louisana.

This area of southern Louisana is the "Heart of Acadiana," better known as Cajun Country. Some information about the area around Lafayette can be found here: www.thebuyersrealty.net/lafayette_the_facts.htm

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Views Through the Windshield Index
PREVIOUS - SET 1: Pensacola, Florida, to Lafayette, Louisana
NEXT - SET 3: Shreveport, Louisana, to Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas