When I think of alligators, I think of Florida. But with over 2 million wild alligators, Louisiana is actually the most gator heavy state. With Bayou covering large swaths of Southern Louisiana, the state has a perfect habitat for alligators and countless other swamp creatures. 

 

What better way to see the swamp than a boat ride within! That's exactly what I did in the Manchac Swamp, just an hour drive away from New Orleans. A short way into the swamp brought me right into gator country, with dozens of gators floating eerily in the murky waters. Putting a little bit of meat on a stick in the water brought the gators close to the boat and created unique photo opportunities. In addition to alligators, I saw turtles, racoons, birds and wild hogs, completing the swamp adventure.

 

For an up close experience with gators on land, I went to the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. In the park’s Barataria Preserve, I was able to take a short boardwalk trail to see a few alligators basking in the southern heat. With a telephoto lens, I was able to get photos up close of the alligators and their interesting scale patterns. 

 

Apart from the swamp adventures, Southern Louisiana has some of the most unique culture in the country. The blend between Cajun, French and American culture makes way for unique activities throughout New Orleans. The late night street music and historic French city core provided a cool atmosphere for exploration and a nice background for late night photography.