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.
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.
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.
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
Various river turtles and pond sliders sit on logs or on the shore and plop into the water when we pass.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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, canoes and kayaks are classified together, although these watercraft have different designs, and historical uses. 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
Buzz on the Tchefuncte
- Ida-swollen Tchefuncte River is subsiding at Madisonville ...
- Ida-swollen Tchefuncte River is subsiding at Madisonville. By Christine Harvey, The Times-Picayune. November 10, 2009, 2:48PM. The Tchefuncte River is subsiding Tuesday afternoon after swelling about four feet around Madisonville ...
- Beautiful St. Tammany Parish
- Tammany and is located where 3 rivers, the Tchefuncte, the Abita and the Bogue Falaya, intersect. It was once a thriving steamboat port where cotton planters sold their crop each year. Not far away is beautiful and peaceful St. ...
- Delta Chapter October 2009 Monthly Meeting - Archaeology of the ...
- Founded in 1837, the Tchefuncte River Light Station is a symbol of the dynamic maritime history and culture of Louisiana. The original tower was badly damaged during the Civil War and was rebuilt in 1867-1868 on the same foundation ...
- Pictures from the Tchefuncte Middle School Walk-a-Thon
- This past Saturday I had the honor of kicking off the Tchefuncte Middle School Walk-a-thon! Above is a picture of my mascot Al da Gator and I with TMS's mascot, Allie! Before the Walk-a-Thon I gave a 3 minute speech talking about living ...
Other Canoeing and River Lenses
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Naturally Native Habitat
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Naturally Native is all about our love of nature, animals and the great outdoors. We enjoy Louisiana's scenic rivers and the abundant native flora and fauna and we want to share it with the world. Most of the photographs featured here were taken in S...
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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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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...
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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 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...
Let us know what you think.
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Reply
- natnickeep natnickeep Sep 8, 2009 @ 12:11 pm
- This is a beautiful lens, makes me want to go canoeing right now!!
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Reply
- natnickeep natnickeep Sep 8, 2009 @ 12:11 pm
- This is a beautiful lens, makes me want to go canoeing right now!!
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Reply
- spirituality spirituality Apr 19, 2009 @ 12:44 pm
- Great lens - you've been blessed by a squidoo angel :)
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Reply
- Janusz Janusz Apr 16, 2009 @ 1:43 pm
- I love your Photo´s, wonderful Lens!! Blessed by a Squid Angel :)
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Reply
- ratso ratso Dec 21, 2008 @ 8:09 pm
- an excellent lens, I like the photography and information about this river. 5*
- Load More
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
Links to More River Animals
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