Trees gather to life in glimmer of morn

Daylight mists down on Lake Bigeaux along side the I-10 bridge over the Atchafalaya Basin in Louisiana early one morning last week.  The first revenants materialized into tree shapes from the foggy breaths of the lake waters.  Maybe a little too much coffee on the drive?

Summer slides away

Crazy lazy days are gone. Fall has fell. This guy was taking advantage of the warm weather out on the lakefront of Lake Pontchartrain a few weeks ago to do some fishing. From what I saw, the fish were safe.

--steve buser

Lights out

Just a quick shot of the sundown over Lake Pontchartrain, shot from a car on the Causeway heading into New Orleans.

--steve buser

Wind walking

How do they do it?

They look about as graceful as a tank. But still they stay in the air. Almost seems to me that if they can fly, I should be able to. You alway see them around in places where there are good currents of air -- must help lift them up. The cruise along the Causeway, enjoying the breeze that that cars and trucks create rushing by. Here, this brown pelican heads into the wind and shows a few earth bound wind-lovers how to sail.

-- steve buser

Lagniappe (a little something extra)
A seldom cited law of the universe is that when an ersatz cowboy climbs aboard his steed, he will always pick the wildest stallion in the stable. Let the merry-go-round begin.

Today on Pixel Eyed

Pass Manchac, the rest of the story

If you have never heard of Pass Manchac, don't feel bad. The area, though, does have a rich history. This fishing camp (note the shrimp boat on the left with its nets hanging on the rigging) sits on the pass which connects Lake Pontchartrain (the large body of water just north of New Orleans) with Lake Maurepas -- a smaller lake.

Lake Maurepas recieves the waters from the Tickfaw River, Amite River and Blind River. It's up these rivers where the real steaming history starts.

Little known is that there was once a well-travelled pass from Lake Pontchartrain, to Lake Maurepas through the Tickfaw to Bayou Manchac to the Mississippi River. The American troops in the War of 1812 sealed that connection (sinking boats there) to keep the British from being able to take the short cut into the Mississippi River.

The area has a rich Acadian (Cajun) heritage. Note to myself : We'll have to talk more about all this is future posts.

But what was I doing there? We all met for a good seafood meal at Middendorf's, a landmark for decades -- I think I had my first meal there back in 1975.

-- steve buser

Whatever floats your boat.

I was out at the Mandeville harbor shooting pix of a sailing regatta (redundant I know) the other day. I was just starting to focus in on the sail boat way off in the distance, coming into to shore. Suddenly this boat comes past my lens. I had to pull the camera down to take a better look. Sure 'nuff, it's an inflatable dingy with a little motor on it. Notice the "captain" -- looks like he is imaging himself on the deck of the Queen Mary. The passengers seem just as content. Notice that only the dog has a life jacket on.

Whatever floats your boat.

Boat pix today on Daily City Photo blogs:

Petit matin - Early in the morning -- Arradon (France)
Paddle boats -- Wichita, KS (US)
A ferry above city level -- Riga (Latvia)
Bay View -- Sarasota, FL (US)

--steve buser