Dr. Wagner's Honey Island Swamp Tours, Slidell

Honey Island Swamp is unique because it's one of the least-altered river swamps in the country. It's pretty much in its original condition, almost a pristine wilderness. Take a personalized narrated nature tour into the 250-square-mile Honey Island Swamp. Nearly 70,000 acres of it is a permanently-protected wildlife area--the Nature Conservancy's First Louisiana Nature Preserve. People from all over the world now explore this wildlife sanctuary with him.

Honey Island earned its name because of the honeybees once seen on a nearby island. A tract of bottomland timber lying between the East Pearl and West Pearl rivers, Honey Island is between three and seven miles wide and 15 to 20 miles long. It is located 50 minutes from New Orleans in Southeast Louisiana.

You can now enjoy some of the richest wildlife stretches of the river and of Honey Island... all from the comfort of a tour boat! You may see the alligator, red wolf, deer.....there have even been sightings of the Florida cougar! Many species of exotic birds also make their homes in this swamp....an active bald eagle nest has occupied the swamp dating back to 1910!

"There are about 1,000,000 alligators in Louisiana, and the population is still growing," a guide explains. Our tour guides make certain sounds that attract any gators in the area. Almost as if on cue, alligators glide toward them for their reward---a few marshmallows.

Those touring Honey Island can easily see why Louisiana is known as Fisherman's Paradise. Local fisherman usually catch the bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass, and warmouth; but fish found in this swamp also include the alligator gar, flathead catfish, freshwater drum, and buffalo fish. Thousands of pounds of crawfish are caught in these waters every season.

It's easy to see how the beauty of nature surrounds you in Honey Island Swamp. The orange of Louisiana's setting sun, darkened by eerie shadows of cypress trees and fleeting birds, is breathtaking. It can get kind of spooky because sometimes you don't know what you're hearing." Could it be a Wookie? Whatever you do, don't forget your camera!

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