Imagine a landscape primeval. A landscape where birds as tall as your kitchen counter glide silently among centuries old cypress standing in mirror still water. Where sunsets burst with incredible intensity. We love south Louisiana. And we love sharing it with photographers from around the country and around the globe.
On these special photo tours, you’ll experience areas that are not accessible in any other way than a kayak. Just paddling these incredible “flooded forests” is a thrill you won’t soon forget.
The Cypress Island Preserve at Lake Martin offers the photographer what you would envision as the prototypical Louisiana swamp scene: Cypress/Tupelo stands dripping with Spanish Moss. Lots of bird life as well as alligators (in season) and other wildlife. Year round, you can shoot Great Blue Herons, Neotropic Cormorants, Cattle Egrets, Owls, Osprey and many more birds. Starting in February and lasting into late spring, thousands of nesting pairs of wading birds such as Snowy Egrets, Blue Herons, and Roseate Spoonbills make Lake Martin their home. Shooting these birds in their mating plumage from the seat of a kayak is incredible.
$345 for up to 2 people. 4 hour shoot.
Additional people $100. Max of 4.
The southern Atchafalaya area that we call the “Land of the Giants” is known for it’s incredible stands of Cypress trees. These ancient trees are estimated to be between 600 and 1000 years old. Some of these trees boast a trunk over 15 feet in diameter. They have adapted to standing for centuries in the water weathering hurricanes and storms by staying relatively short and spreading their bases and the unique cypress knees that help create more stability. This adaptation also has also created trees with a signature look that can only be found in this area. A single look at these trees and you will be taken with their uniqueness and endless photographic opportunities.
$450 for up to 2 people. 4 hour shoot.
Additional people $100. Max of 4.
In an area that is little known by photographers, we have developed a paddling route that offers an incredible opportunity to shoot not only huge cypress, but also the majestic Southern Bald Eagles that migrate here each winter. The tour will take you along a large lake, through a winding bayou and back around to the open water for a spectacular finish. We offer this tour only in February and March to provide the most ideal possibility of capturing one of these majestic birds. This tour offers participants more paddling time and the ability to see a larger area than our other two photo tours.
$450 for up to 2 people. 4 hour shoot.
Additional people $100. Max of 4.
Specially Designed Kayaks:
Our tours utilize Native Ultimate 12FX kayaks. These boats are renowned for their comfort and stability. The pontoon style hull creates a stable platform perfect for photographers, birders and paddlers taking their first strokes. The seat of your kayak is a “lawn chair” style seat that keeps you high and dry, cool and comfortable throughout your trip. This kayak is light enough for anyone to have an easy time paddling – even on their very first trip.
WE PROVIDE
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING
THE SWAMPS OF LOUISIANA OFFER THE PHOTOGRAPHER A TREASURE TROVE OF OPPORTUNITY FOR SHOOTING INCREDIBLE LANDSCAPES. FROM THE ANCIENT CYPRESS, TO THE BIRD LIFE – WE CAN BRING YOU TO THE PLACES THAT YOU CAN GET THE MOST UNIQUE SHOTS.
THE TOURS LISTED BELOW ARE OFFERED WITH AN EARLY MORNING OR LATE AFTERNOON OPTION. ONCE YOU BOOK WE WILL CONTACT YOU TO SET UP THE EXACT MEETING TIME AND PLACE FOR YOUR TOUR.
CYPRESS ISLAND PRESERVE AT LAKE MARTIN
The Cypress Island Preserve at Lake Martin offers the photographer what you would envision as the prototypical Louisiana swamp scene: Cypress/Tupelo stands dripping with Spanish Moss. Lots of bird life as well as alligators (in season) and other wildlife. Year round, you can shoot Great Blue Herons, Neotropic Cormorants, Cattle Egrets, Owls, Osprey and many more birds. Starting in February and lasting into late spring, thousands of nesting pairs of wading birds such as Snowy Egrets, Blue Herons, and Roseate Spoonbills make Lake Martin their home. Shooting these birds in their mating plumage from the seat of a kayak is incredible.
$345 for up to 2 people. 4 hour shoot.
Additional people $100. Max of 4.
THE GIANT TREES OF THE ATCHAFALAYA
The southern Atchafalaya area that we call the “Land of the Giants” is known for it’s incredible stands of Cypress trees. These ancient trees are estimated to be between 600 and 1000 years old. Some of these trees boast a trunk over 15 feet in diameter. They have adapted to standing for centuries in the water weathering hurricanes and storms by staying relatively short and spreading their bases and the unique cypress knees that help create more stability. This adaptation also has also created trees with a signature look that can only be found in this area. A single look at these trees and you will be taken with their uniqueness and endless photographic opportunities.
$450 for up to 2 people. 4 hour shoot.
Additional people $100. Max of 4.
SOUTHERN ATCHAFALAYA CYPRESS & EAGLE TOUR
In an area that is little known by photographers, we have developed a paddling route that offers an incredible opportunity to shoot not only huge cypress, but also the majestic Southern Bald Eagles that migrate here each winter. The tour will take you along a large lake, through a winding bayou and back around to the open water for a spectacular finish. We offer this tour only in February and March to provide the most ideal possibility of capturing one of these majestic birds. This tour offers participants more paddling time and the ability to see a larger area than our other two photo tours.
$450 for up to 2 people. 4 hour shoot.
Additional people $100. Max of 4.
WE PROVIDE
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING
Hand Crafted Tours:
Imagine a landscape primeval. A landscape where birds as tall as your kitchen counter glide silently among centuries old cypress standing in mirror still water. Where sunsets burst with incredible intensity. We love south Louisiana. And we love sharing it with photographers from around the country and around the globe.
On these special photo tours, you’ll experience areas that are not accessible in any other way than a kayak. Just paddling these incredible “flooded forests” is a thrill you won’t soon forget.
OUR SWAMPS ARE A CONSTANTLY CHANGING PALETTE OF LIFE. THESE YEAR-ROUND PHOTOGRAPHY DESTINATIONS ARE DIFFERENT EVERY SINGLE DAY. WHETHER IT’S A MIGRATORY SONGBIRD NESTING IN A KNOTHOLE, AN ANCIENT CYPRESS LIGHTLY CLOTHED IN A FOG BANK OR THE SUN RISING OVER A PRIMEVAL FLOODED FOREST, EACH DAY ON THE WATER BRINGS UNIQUELY DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR CAMERA LENS.
601 E Pinhook Road
Lafayette, LA 70501