Baby American Alligator on Lake Martin, Louisiana

Breaux Bridge

At the end of August 2023 I traveled to Cajun Country near Breaux Bridge, Louisiana with Doug Gardner for an adventure on Lake Martin.

The lake has beautiful bald cypress and tupelo trees covered with Spanish moss. Breaux Bridge is also known as the “Crawfish Capital of the World”.

Mason Madeleine Bed & Breakfast on Lake Martin, Louisiana

Mason Madeleine B&B

I stayed at the famous Mason Madeleine B&B run by Maddie Cenac and her husband Walt Adams. The authentic cajun 1840 building was restored by owner Madeleine (Maddie) Cenac.

The B&B hosted a portion of an episode of Anthony Bourdain No Reservations. The crawfish boil scene of “Cajun Country” was filmed at Mason Madeleine.

Doug Brings The Swamp Buggy Up to the Dock

Doug Gardner

Doug brought his home made swamp buggy that was specially built for filming in the swamp. It is a flat bottom boat with an outboard motor, a quiet trolling motor and poles that can deployed to stabilized the boat. It can carry three passengers along with Doug.

Doug Gardner is a well know cinematographer that has worked for BBC and National Geographic. His company is called Total Outdoors Imaging, Inc. and he is also known for the Television Series Wild Photo Adventures which ran for five season on PBS several years ago.

Great Egret & Cypress Trees with Spanish Moss on Lake Martin, Louisiana

Sweltering Heat

The swamp in August was well over 100 degrees each day. We got on the lake early and stayed in the shade. When it was too hot, we retreated to the B&B for lunch. We returned to the lake in late afternoon when temperatures started to cool. 

Baby Alligators

Doug filmed an alligator nest for the BBC on Lake Martin. He took us to a remote canal where baby alligators were hiding in the duck weed. We also followed large alligators cruising the swamp and sunning themselves on the bank and on dead tree logs.

Birds on Lake Martin

We also found many species of birds including Green Heron, White Ibis, Snowy Egret, Anhinga, Great Egret, Black-Crowned Night-Heron and Little Blue Heron.

Barred Owl in Bald Cypress Tree with Spanish Moss on Lake Martin, Louisiana

Barred Owls

We spent time early and late in the day listening and looking for Barred Owls. We spotted them a few times and I was able to get some photographs of them in the Spanish moss covered cypress trees.

Flock of Birds on Lake Martin, Louisiana

I Will Be Back Someday

Lake Martin with its bald cypress and tupelo trees covered with Spanish moss and teaming with Alligators and birds is a glorious place to visit. Even the heat of August did not dampen my experience. Thanks to Doug Gardner and my two travel companions, Jean and Sue, for a great time in Louisiana. You can find Doug on his website Totally Outdoors Imaging.

You can see more images in my Louisiana Image Gallery.