Lazy Little Tchefuncte
Canoe Ride
Our river is teaming with wildlife and we were lucky enough to see some interesting species as we paddled along. Our first sighting is a tiny damselfly which decides to hitch a ride. There are so many beautiful dragonflies and other insects that live along the river.
Rio usually comes along. He'll ride for a short while, but he really likes to run along the bank or swim beside the canoe.
Fish of all types are plentiful and the water is usually clear enough to see them. Catfish, Perch, Bass and Garfish are the most common.
Many beautiful native plants like our native American Wisteria, Horse Sugar, Honeysuckle Azalea, Cardinal Flower and Arrow-wood Viburnum bloom during the different seasons along the river.
Little Tchefuncte River
The Little Tchefuncte is spring fed so the water is very cold and it's not comfortable for swimming until July or August. It originates in Washington Parish and widens when it joins the Abita and Bogue Falaya down river from us, then it finally flows into Lake Pontchartrain.
Reptiles
We canoe often and have seen many different animals. One of our neighbors reported seeing an alligator. We haven't seen the alligator, but we often see other reptiles like the Broad-banded and Diamond-back water snakes and the water moccasin.
Birds
Pairs of wood ducks fly at almost every turn and a Belted Kingfisher fusses at us when we disturb its fishing.
Many song birds like Red and White-eyed Vireos, Prothonotary Warblers, Water Thrushes, Acadian Flycatchers, Northern Cardinals, Mourning Doves, and Pine Warblers live in the riparian areas.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds like to nest along lazy rivers like the Tchefuncte. There's an immature one and I think I see an empty nest.
Hang on while we negotiate these twists and turns through the fallen trees and roots.
Oh look, one of the pair of Red-shouldered Hawks is eating some prey. It looks like a Mourning Dove.
Herons and Egrets are often seen wading in the shallows.
Mammals
Raccoons are always somewhere near water and we have large troops of them living along the Tchefuncte.
Amphibians
Our Habitat Blog
Here's the RSS Feed link to our Little Tchefuncte Hummingbird Hill Habitat Blog. We try to keep it updated with happenings in the habitat. You may also want to check out our website.
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Tchefuncte Hummingbird Hill Habitat Blog Feed
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byFacts About the Tchefuncte from Wikipedia
The Tchefuncte River (chuh-FUNK-tuh) drains into Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana in the United States. It is about long.
In the 19th century it was an important commercial waterway, where building materials and other products of the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain were loaded to be shipped across the Lake to New Orleans.
Tchefuncte River Map
Tchefuncte River Books
Then and Now- A Pictorial History Book of St. Tammany Parish, LA
This is a Pictorial History of West St. Tammany Pa more...0 points
The Beaver: Natural History of a Wetlands Engineer (Comstock Books) by Dietland Muller-Schwarze, Lixing Sun
Beavers can and do dramatically change the landsca more...0 points
Beavers: Where Waters Run (Northword Wildlife Series) by Paul Strong
- Brings you a comprehensive profile on beavers. - more...0 points
River Otter at Autumn Lane (Smithsonian's Backyard) (Smithsonian's Backyard) by Laura Gates Galvin
In a den at the water's edge, a river otter nurses more...0 points
The River: A Love Story, a New Life in the Country, and One Idyllic Year Filming Otters by Philippa Forrester
When Philippa Forrester and her partner, wildlife more...0 points
Raccoons: A Natural History by Zeveloff Si
The word raccoon is drawn from the Native American more...0 points
Canoeing Facts from Wiki
Canoeing is the activity of paddling a canoe for the purpose of recreation (also called a float trip), sport, or transportation. It usually refers exclusively to using a paddle to propel a canoe with only human muscle power. A kayak is propelled using a paddle with two blades where paddlers sit with their legs mostly extended in front of them, whereas canoes are propelled using single- or double-bladed paddles where the paddler - a "canoeist" or "canoer"- is kneeling or sitting on seat or thwart, with their knees bent and their legs more or less beneath them. Kayaks are usually closed-decked boats with a spraydeck, while canoes are usually open boats. There are also open kayaks and closed canoes. Technically, a kayak can be seen as a special kind of canoe. When exactly a canoe can be called a kayak is difficult to determine though, and often arbitrary. Internationally, the term canoeing is used as a generic term for both forms though the terms "paddle sports" or "canoe/kayak" are also used. In North America, however, 'canoeing' usually refers only to canoes, as opposed to both canoes and kayaks. Paddling a kayak is also referred to as kayaking.
Open canoes may be 'poled' (punted), sailed, 'lined and tracked' (using ropes) or even 'gunnel-bobbed'.
In modern canoe sport, both canoes and kayaks may be closed-decked. Other than by the minimum competition specifications (typically length and width (beam) and seating arrangement it is difficult to differentiate most competition canoes from the equivalent competition kayaks. The most common difference is that competition kayaks are always seated and paddled with a double-bladed paddle, and competition canoes are generally kneeled and paddled with a single-bladed paddle. Exceptions include Canoe Marathon (in both European and American competitive forms) and sprint (high kneeling position). The most traditional and early canoes did not have seats, the paddlers merely kneeled on the bottom of the boat. Recreational canoes and kayaks employ seats and whitewater rodeo and surf variants increasingly employ the use of 'saddles' to give greater boat control under extreme conditions.
Canoeing Books
More Canoeing Books
![Introduction to Canoeing [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21BANYJXTAL._SL75_.jpg)
Buzz on the Tchefuncte
- 2009 Tchefuncte Lighthouse and Marsh Fundraiser
- Proceeds support the restoration of the Tchefuncte River Light Station and the Tchefuncte Marsh. Seating is limited, so reserve your space by August 4. Learn about ponsorship opportunities by calling (985)845-9200.
- Louisiana First Lady makes special visit to Tchefuncte Middle
- A combined group of campers from Pontchartrain Elementary School and Tchefuncte Middle School had a visit from Louisiana's First Lady last week, as she presented a program on the importance of reading and developing [...]
- Louisiana First Lady makes special visit to Tchefuncte Middle
- ?Did you know that when you add the lemonade powder to water, you're causing a scientific reaction?? asked Supriya Jindal.
- lpbmm.org | Tchefuncte Marsh Acquisition
- On Sunday, May 3, 2009, The Nature Conservancy will hold at the Maritime Museum a reception celebrating the acquisition of 800 acres of the Tchefuncte Marsh. The land will be management by Southeastern Louisiana University in ...
Grumman Canoes on eBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Tchefuncte River Photos
The scenery along the Tchefuncte river near our new home
Fairview-Riverside State Park,
The beauty of the Tchefuncte River, Madisonville, Louisiana
Beautiful sunset at the Tchefuncte River, Madisonville, Louisiana
Tchefuncte rive
Near the river in Madisonville, LA.
Videos down river, on the Large Tchefuncte
Other Canoeing and River Lenses
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Prothonotary Warblers are Golden
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A small golden yellow bird with blue gray wings darts across the creek. its clear, high, metallic rising "tsweet tsweet tsweet tsweet tsweet" song rings out through the forest. It lands and picks a clump of green moss, then flies to the hole in a ne...
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River Otters: Playful Friends of the Woodlands!
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Learn about River Otters through games and hands-on learning centers. Decorate your classroom with a Woodlands Riverbank Theme. Learn the habits of River Otters, the food they eat and how they raise their young. You will find suggestions for both fi...
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River Music
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Those of us who paddle, raft, surf on the river enjoy music. Music in my head, music on the river; driving to the river, you gotta have your tunes. Our master for music is a long time collector of tunes that will highlight any drive to the river. Che...
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Rivers of North America
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This lens is on a quest to take you on a journey on as many rivers in North America as possible. Like all adventures this journey will take time so please come back often and join me on this quest for the River. JUNE is National American Rivers...
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How To Choose A Canoe
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Pelican Colorado 155 Canoe If you're new to canoeing, you've chosen a fantastic recreation that you'll enjoy all your life. The knowledge and experience you gain for your efforts will be beyond the scope of what you imagined. But you may be hitting...
Let us know what you think.
Janusz wrote...
I love your Photo´s, wonderful Lens!! Blessed by a Squid Angel :)
Posted April 16, 2009
ratso wrote...
an excellent lens, I like the photography and information about this river. 5*
Posted December 21, 2008
ElizabethJeanAllen wrote...
Welcome to The Totally Awesome Lenses Group.
Lizzy
Posted November 01, 2008
ElizabethJeanAllen wrote...
Every year my family gets together for a three day canoe trip. Everyone, from my parents who are in their 70's to the newest baby is on the river. Its both fun and relaxing.
I love to canoe.
Great lens
Lizzy
Posted October 25, 2008
Tchefuncte River and Canoe Links
Wild and Scenic Rivers
The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.0 points
Welcome to www.canoeing.org
Web Site of the Paddling Bares Canoe Club0 points
Canoeing and Kayaking Info - Paddling.Net
Your #1 source for canoeing and kayaking informati more...0 points
by naturegirl7
My husband and I have always loved nature and the outdoors. We currently maintain a 9 acre private wildlife preserve.
We are Master Gardeners and... (more)
