Catch the Mardi Gras action around the Tri-parishes
February 19, 2014Landrieu bill targets building workforce
February 19, 2014
Morgan City is the prime location to see numerous species of birds, including the American bald eagle, and other wildlife who call the Atchafalaya Basin their home at the ninth-annual Eagle Expo.
From Feb. 20 through 22, the expo showcases eagle’s nests between Morgan City and Terrebonne Parish, as well as the abundant wildlife found in St. Mary Parish.
The Eagle Expo celebrates the American bald eagle’s return to Louisiana after it was removed from the endangered species list in 2007 through continued public awareness and education.
Carrie Stansbury, executive director of Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau, said despite the sometimes cold temperatures in February, it is the best time for bird watching since the trees are dead and it is much easier to see the birds.
“The eaglets are just getting out of their eggs and their parents are feeding them,” Stansbury said. “Sometimes you can see the little baby in the nest.”
Since the festival started nine years ago, bird lovers and nature enthusiast have never left the expo without an opportunity to have a glance at a bird, Stansbury said.
“Every year we see lots of eagles, but we never guarantee it because it’s not like a zoo,” she said. “The cold temperatures don’t really affect the birds and you can usually see them flying.”
The Bayou Black Tour, Turtle Bayou Tour, Bayou Long Tour and Atchafalaya Basin Tour are all boat tours that set the Eagle Expo apart from other bird watching events.
Although the festival promotes the name of the eagle, spectators who travel with the boat tours have the opportunity to see other species of birds, such as white pelicans, egrets, blue herrings, yellow-rumped warblers, Carolina chickadees and various species of terns and gulls.
Stansbury said the expo uses established boat tours with tour guides who are familiar with the area and organizes for a professional birder to accompany each tour.
Cajun Jack is known for giving tours of the Atchafalaya Basin, the largest swamp in North America, and he knows every inch of it.
“Mostly anything you want to know I can do for you,”he said.
His boat tour is a 2.5-hour, 40-mile roundtrip through bayous, lakes and channels, which for some would be a never ending maze.
“I was born back there,” Cajun Jack said. “I know the bayous better than I know my house.”
Living most of his life on the water, and giving boat tours for the past 28 years, Cajun Jack said anyone who steps onto his boat will experience the swamp from someone who knows it better than the back of his hand.
“I find the prettiest parts for my tour,” Cajun Jack said. “I stay mostly in the south (of the basin) because to do all that would take me four or five weeks.”
He said what you see on the tour depends on the season of the year and even the day of the month, but there is always something to have a glance at.
“You always see stuff and if it warms up you may see an alligator or two,” Cajun Jack said.
Boat tours to view eagles are 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21 and from 9 to 11 a.m. and 2:30 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22.
The expo weekend allows bird enthusiasts to share their interpretation of the craft through photography, research and lectures.
One of the presentations by John and Dale Stokes of WINGS to SOAR, an organization that cares for non-releasable birds of prey, allows birders to get a close look at a variety of live raptors including a falcon, hawk, owl, black vulture and bald eagle.
WINGS to SOAR present their showcase of raptors from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20 at the Patterson Civic Center. The presentation is available for private schools, parochial schools and home schooled students on Wednesday, Feb. 19. WINGS to SOAR will also travel to several schools throughout St. Mary Parish.
As evidence the expo has something to attract birders from all over, Stansbury said she received a registration from as far as Minnesota.
People also come from Texas, Mississippi and Alabama.
“Often times if they’re a bird watcher, they’ll register to attend the event,” Stansbury said. “They like the camaraderie when they visit with other birders.”
Full registration for the weekend of Eagle Expo is $110 for adults and $60 for children, which includes the WINGS to SOAR presentation on Thursday, a seminar and breakfast Saturday morning, admission for one boat tour and a T-shirt.
One-day registration for adults is $85 and $50 for children, which includes seminars, admission for one boat tour and breakfast on Saturday. Boat tours start at $55 for adults and $35 for children. For more info, contact the Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau at 985-395-4905 or cajuncoast.com/eagleexpo.
South Louisiana’s natural environment is enjoyed for three days this month at the ninth-annual Eagle Expo.
