Canoeing the Tchefuncte River

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Lazy Little Tchefuncte

Come with us on a virtual canoe ride down the lovely and scenic Little Tchefuncte River. We'll see many of the plants and animals that live in and along the river. Your guides will also tell you about the river and its flora and fauna. So, get your virtual life preserver on and hop into our canoe for an afternoon of fun.

Canoe Ride 

We are extremely lucky to have a scenic river in our backyard. The Little Tchefuncte River and all of its tributaries are protected under the Scenic Rivers Act, but in April, 2007 it took quite a hit when some misguided post Katrina cleanup went really wrong. Periodically, we take a ride up the river to check for damage and to see if the river is healing itself from the severe damage that was done to its banks. We also like to see what flowers are blooming and what animals are out.

Come join us on a virtual canoe ride on the Tchefuncte River. We launch from our little sandy beach and start up river. This is a shot of downriver and as you can see when the water is low it's difficult to go that way.

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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.

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Because the Tchefuncte is protected, removing natural fallen trees and snags is prohibited. This adds to the beauty of our little river and also makes canoeing an adventure. We must wind around trees and crisscross back and forth across the river as we make our way up. Sometimes, when the river is a little low, we have to get a running start in a couple of places to make it across logs. Our canoe is made by Grumman so it's pretty sturdy.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 

Various river turtles and pond sliders sit on logs or on the shore and plop into the water when we pass.

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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.

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Birds 

Flocks of goldfinches and indigo buntings bathe in and drink from the cool water. They are stopping off at our place before they head north to their breeding grounds.

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Pairs of wood ducks fly at almost every turn and a Belted Kingfisher fusses at us when we disturb its fishing.

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Wood-Duck by WildThings


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.

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Hang on while we negotiate these twists and turns through the fallen trees and roots.

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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.


Blue Heron Wading Print by GrandmaDee

Mammals 

We often see evidence that beavers have been there during the night. Gnawed Chinese Privet branches are often left on sand bars or on the rivers edge. We're really happy when we see dead Chinese Privet because it is one of the invasive exotic plants that chokes out our native plants, forming mono-cultures of privet.

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Beaver poster by JnAKERS


Raccoons are always somewhere near water and we have large troops of them living along the Tchefuncte.


Occasionally we'll see a river otter pop-up and then gracefully glide through the water.

Amphibians 

Amphibians play an important part in the cycle of life on the river. They are our pest control crew. There are frogs and toads of all sizes, from the big Bullfrogs to the tiny tree frogs, all do their part by eating mosquitoes and other insects 24/7.

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This is as far as we can go when the river is this level, so we'll pull the canoe up on the shore and walk a little further to see more.

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After our walk we'll paddle back down the river. It's easy on the way back, so let's let Al do all the work!

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 

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Facts 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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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 

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eBay

Tchefuncte River Photos 

Tchefuncte by samuelportera

The scenery along the Tchefuncte river near our new home

Fairview-Riverside State Park, Cypress Tree & Tchefuncte River by danamcausey

Fairview-Riverside State Park,

Sunset through trees and moss by Alana Abney

The beauty of the Tchefuncte River, Madisonville, Louisiana

Sunset Golden by Alana Abney

Beautiful sunset at the Tchefuncte River, Madisonville, Louisiana

Tchefuncte River by Jan Goldfield

Tchefuncte rive

Tchefuncte River by prplzrd

Near the river in Madisonville, LA.

Videos down river, on the Large Tchefuncte 


Isabelle in the Tchefuncte River

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River of Time

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Rope Swing

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Other Canoeing and River Lenses 

Let us know what you think. 

spirituality wrote...

Great lens - you've been blessed by a squidoo angel :)

ReplyPosted April 19, 2009

Janusz wrote...

I love your Photo´s, wonderful Lens!! Blessed by a Squid Angel :)

ReplyPosted April 16, 2009

ratso wrote...

an excellent lens, I like the photography and information about this river. 5*

ReplyPosted December 21, 2008

ElizabethJeanAllen wrote...

Welcome to The Totally Awesome Lenses Group.
Lizzy

ReplyPosted 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

ReplyPosted October 25, 2008

 
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