This is one of the most famous plantations in Louisiana. The Oak trees were planted over 300 years ago. They are planted this way to help direct the wind through the plantation home.

Egrets are herons that have white or buff plumage, develop fine plumes (usually milky white) during the breeding season. The word "egret" comes from the French word aigrette that means both "silver heron" and "brush", referring to the long, filamentous feathers that seem to cascade down an egret's back during the breeding season (also called "egrets".)

Three Cypress trees all perched together here in the Atchafalaya Basin. Most likely all three of these trees are related. The Atchafalaya Basin is the largest wetland and swamp in the United States. Located in south central Louisiana, it is a combination of wetlands and river delta area where the Atchafalaya River and the Gulf of Mexico converge.

Taking less than an hour before sunset the “side-lighting” created nice texturing among the Cypress trees.

This is Lake Martin located in the ‘’heart’’ of the Atchafalaya Basin in central Louisiana. Lake Martin is a broad shallow lake full of Cypress and Tupelo stands which teems with aquatic life, including many species of amphibians and reptiles.

This is Lake Martin located in the ‘’heart’’ of the Atchafalaya Basin in central Louisiana. Lake Martin is a broad shallow lake full of Cypress and Tupelo stands which teems with aquatic life, including many species of amphibians and reptiles.

I though the Cypress trees dripping with Spanish Moss made for a great “jungle looking” scene. I remember walking out to get this shot: It was kind of marshy and kind of dark. I used my camera tripod to rattle the high grass around me hoping I do not encounter an alligator.

Atchafalaya Basin is known as the "heart of the Louisiana Bayou." Saint Martin Lake is rather a small lake but is very scenic. This tree is known as a Bald Cypress. Adding to the beauty is the Spanish Moss dripping from the branches

Egrets are herons that have white or buff plumage, develop fine plumes (usually milky white) during the breeding season. Egrets are not a biologically distinct group from the herons and have the same build. The word "egret" comes from the French word aigrette that means both "silver heron" and "brush", referring to the long, filamentous feathers that seem to cascade down an egret's back during the breeding season (also called "egrets".)

I have never eaten here but I understand it is very fine French cuisine. They also serve Cajun & Creole. It is worth paying a visit just to enjoy the beautiful decor and abeyance inside.

The St. Louis Cathedral is one of New Orleans' most notable landmarks. The city is instantly recognized by the cathedral and its position overlooking Jackson Square.

I also recommend a Beignet and Coffee at Cafe Du Monde located about 300 feet from here. I drink coffee about 10 times a year, so I pass it up a lot. However, Cafe Du Monde makes a great cup of coffee and it is well paired with their Beignets! By the way, a Beignet is like a Buttermilk Donut Bar but ten times lighter.

Built in 1828 there is nothing historically significant about this house that I am aware of. I just like the symmetry of it all. Do not let the front deceive you, this home is almost 6,000 square feet.

These planters are very popular in New Orleans.

One of New Orleans landmark hotels, The Roosevelt, shines among the most beautifully adorned charms of New Orleans. The Roosevelt during Christmas is no exception.

I happened upon this little Christmas display in New Orleans City Park.

I am used to seeing palm trees in LA a but not Louisiana. This picture was taken in the Goldring/Woldenberg Great Lawn which is located in New Orleans City Park. This is one of the nicer city parks I have ever been to, and I live about 20 miles from Golden Gate Park. I love the way all these amazing attractions are all located so close to each other and not spread out like Central Park in New York or Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

Taxodium distichum (bald cypress) is a deciduous conifer in the family Cupressaceae. It is native to the southeastern United States. Hardy and tough, this tree adapts to a wide range of soil types, whether wet, salty, dry, or swampy.

This photo was taken from the Shaw center in Baton Rouge. Pointing towards the bridge, you can see well-lit pier that takes you out to a viewing area for a naval museum that is on the USS Kidd.

The top of the old capital building is in the background... looks like a castle!

The tallest capitol in the United States, the Louisiana State Capitol building is 450 feet high with 34 floors. It was completed after only 14 months in 1932 and stands on a 27-acre tract.

The tallest capitol in the United States, the Louisiana State Capitol building is 450 feet high with 34 floors. It was completed after only 14 months in 1932 and stands on a 27-acre tract.

Some strange visitors have arrived at New Orleans Cemetery #1. Opened for business in 1789, it is the oldest cemetery in New Orleans.

This is in a very ''picturesque'' town called St. Francisville, Louisiana. It is located just a few miles south of Mississippi just along the river.

This is a revisit from 2015 (because I’m bored.) I remember watching this artist pedal her bike across town and was surprised to see her here later in the day. The colors are which attracted my attention.

BTW, This was shot in New Orleans (NOLA.)

The common iconography of the holiday is calaveras or skulls, which were seen as a symbol of rebirth by the Aztecs who combined this representation with the Christian rituals brought to them by Spanish priests. These skulls are often painted in colorful fashion with floral crowns of marigolds and roses.

As the name implies this streetcar travels along the Mississippi River and turns up into town along the south side of the French Quarter.

Sat at this spot for an hour. I setup here because I loved the "shadow dance" from the trees and the architecture across the street. Just worried about cutting off the back of the streetcar. Otherwise, I would have lost some of the architecture.

Sitting at a bus stop with one of my best friends drinking a couple of beers and solving the world’s problems. Ya, two guys sitting at a bus stop drinking beer… no warning signs there. In reality our hotel is in the background (of this shot) and we decided to chill for a bit and ‘’catch up’’ on time before turning in. This streetcar decided to make its rounds and presented a nice capture for me!!

I decided to make a quick jump back to the Garden District in New Orleans before I must catch my flight back to San Francisco. I love the way the majestic Oak Trees create a ‘’light dance’’ on the street. Something about this scene made me think how nice it would look in black and white.

This is a Cypress tree located in one of the swamps located in the Atchafalaya Basin. It looks like it has many straws sucking up the water. I guess in a way it really is. The Atchafalaya Basin is the largest wetland and swamp in the United States. Located in south central Louisiana, it is a combination of wetlands and river delta area where the Atchafalaya River and the Gulf of Mexico converge.

At Bayou Paul Road is the rustic M. Barthel Store (circa 1880), although locals call it the J. A. Barthel Store. The swayback plank porch leads to a dim interior captured for its atmosphere in numerous commercials and films. Although the store no longer stocks general merchandise-buckets, boots, moss, and such-the straightforward display of foodstuffs and sundries on unadorned shelving preserves the flavor of a River Road general store where the proprietor greets everyone by name and business is still done the old-fashioned way.

Not quite sure what they are harvesting/baling here, obviously some type of grass. This was photographed at the Desert Plantation Farm located in the Mississippi countryside.

This is a small plantation home in south-west Mississippi near the Mississippi River.

Located in Garden District Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is one of the oldest city governed cemeteries. The cemetery was named after the city of Lafayette, which was once the area of New Orleans. With almost 500 wall vaults the cemetery has a rich history of some of the first settlers from Ireland and Germany. Some of the most famous people buried in Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 are Mayfair Witches, Lafayette and Jefferson fireman. There are 1,100 family tombs and over 7,000 people buried here.

This lovely lady is watching me as I wonder down Oak Avenue at the Rosedown Plantation in Mississippi. Seems like she might have been waiting awhile.

Just wandering around the wonderful gardens at Rosedown Plantation in Louisiana. Found this amazing gazebo with a nice water fountain staring at me through the entrance.

Just wandering around the wonderful gardens at Rosedown Plantation in Louisiana. Found this amazing gazebo with a nice water fountain staring me through the door.

At its height, Rosedown Plantation encompassed 3,455 acres, and included the typical components of cotton plantations of the mid-antebellum period in the South--agricultural acreage planted with the cash crop, fields of fodder crops, pastureland for cattle, stables for horses, yards and pens for poultry and other farm animals, the quarters of enslaved Africans (where they typically had their own individual garden plots), a kitchen garden, an orchard, and the pleasure, or ornamental, gardens adjacent to the main plantation house, or the "Great House."

This plantation is in the city of New Orleans. Really enjoyed the long exposure in front of the fountains.

This plantation is in the city of New Orleans. Really enjoyed the long exposure in front of the fountains.

Oak Alley Plantation is a historic plantation located on the west bank of the Mississippi River, about 55 miles east of New Orleans, Louisiana. Oak Alley is named for its distinguishing visual feature, an alley, created by a double row of southern live oak trees. I love the texture of the Oak roots floating above the ground.

Oak Alley Plantation is a historic plantation located on the west bank of the Mississippi River, about 55 miles east of New Orleans, Louisiana. Oak Alley is named for its distinguishing visual feature, an alley, created by a double row of southern live oak trees. I love the texture of the Oak roots floating above the ground

There are so many beautiful gardens all around Oak Alley and I suspect it doesn't matter what season you visit, something will be blooming!!

Sure, it's not the most award-winning cityscape, however, New Orleans has so many other wonderful photographic opportunities the cityscape becomes inconsequential.

This cemetery is called Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 and is located in the heart of the Garden District in New Orleans. It is also the oldest cemetery in New Orleans.

Cemeteries in NOLA are mostly comprised of ''crypts.'' This is because if the deceased (aka: 'un-living' in NOLA) were buried under ground, they would simply float-up and head down the Mississippi and right into the Gulf of Mexico. Guess you would call that shark bait.

Not quite sure what they are harvesting/baling here, obviously some type of grass. This was photographed at the Desert Plantation Farm located in the Mississippi countryside.

Located on the grounds of grace Episcopal Church, this amazing Cemetery is accentuated by drooping Oak trees dripping with Spanish Moss.

Grace Episcopal Church, built in 1860 and rebuilt in 1893 after the Union caused heavy damage in 1863, is one of the state's oldest surviving Protestant churches.

At the time Oak Alley was built, the River Region sugar industry was flourishing, and a chain of stately plantation homes lined the banks of the Mississippi. Too many of these since have been devoured by the passage of time, exposure to the elements and mankind's struggle to move on, but Oak Alley remains as a testimonial to the old South's golden age. There is a simple authenticity about her grandeur that reassures and frees the mind to contemplate and appreciate all facets of her existence.

The trees were planted between 1725. It is not until January 1837 Jacques Roman begins building the mansion. Jacques builds his home at the end of the oak tree row so the breeze would be guided up through the house.

So named by me because it is just a little north of the Sunshine Bridge that crosses the Mississippi in Louisiana.

Not sure exactly what this is. I don’t spend much time around industry so I cannot even guess. Obviously they are some kind of silos and I’m guessing they hold some type of chemical. This particular spot is about 1,250 feet from the Mississippi River. There are several pipe and conveyer belt ‘’bridges’’ that cross the rails to another small processing area. You can see a ‘’stack’’ on the right side above the rail road cars. From there they have similar pipe and conveyer belt ‘’bridges’’ that reach over the levies and load their product directly onto the ships waiting in the Mississippi River. I looked on Google Earth and there are three large docks with several ‘’loading crane barges.’’ I see the next refinery south (about 2,000 feet) is labeled as DuPont. DuPont’s property has a relatively modest dock which makes me wonder this silo/property might also be owned by DuPont.

I do believe this area is also called Cancer Alley. If I recall correctly DuPont commissioned a study which found no alarming cancer rates in this area. Sadly, the residents in this area do not have the resources to commission their own study which would probably contain more accurate results.

I saw this right across from the restaurant we ate at that evening. I like the ''curves'' the light created.

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This is one of my favorites from the ''Door Series.'' That is a real gas lamp in it's full glory. Too bad the flower box wasn't in it's fully glory! Guess that's what Photoshop is for :-)

Certainly not as rustic as some of the other doors I have photographed however, I did like the colors. By the way, NO stands for New Orleans.

Never knew you can pass-out standing up! God bless the French Quarter... even the address cannot stand-up straight!! Bye-the-way, I don't know who this person is, but he is truly passed-out!!

FYI, NO stands for New Orleans.

I like the colors and shadows here!

I have never eaten here but I understand it is very fine French cuisine. They also serve Cajun & Creole. It is worth paying a visit just to enjoy the beautiful decor and abeyance.

Halloween on Bourbon Street. What better place to celebrate Halloween then in the French Quarter.

While prowling around the French Quarter there are a number of Voodoo shops to learn a little more about the history behind these centuries-old spiritual practices. The spirit of Marie Laveau, the High Priestess of 19th century New Orleans, can still be felt in the vibes that surround you in some of these shops.

I like the colors, but not sure about ''centering'' it!

I like the bricks and drain. There is a groove carved out in the sidewalk to funnel the drain water out into the street.

Love the shades of green.

I like the way the water drains into the sidewalk.

Odd fellow... apparently attempting to make some type of sorted fashion statement? Personally, I think he's lost his head!

I really like the dilapidated look of this doorway.

I really like the pastel like colors along with the bare tree.

This is the first in a set of two photos depicting some of the many beautiful windows/shutters in New Orleans. I enjoyed the pastel colors along with the lines created by the pipes. The lamps happen to be a nice addition😊

This is the second in a set of two photos depicting some of the many beautiful windows/shutters in New Orleans. I enjoyed the pastel colors along with the lines created by the pipes. The lamps happen to be a nice addition😊

The first US District Court for the territory of Louisiana stood here at 919 Royal St. until 1888, when the old building was destroyed and this building was built.

Spent last Christmas (2009) in Baton Rouge. My friends and I spent one night in the French Quarter. It was the first time I walked around New Orleans while aiming my camera at windows and doors. Thought this store was nicely decorated for the holiday season.

I like the brick work. If you notice the bricks are a lot darker towards the ground this was caused by the flooding when the levees broke due to Hurricane Katrina.

The old water tower in Baton Rouge. I took this one because of the cloud formations.

Just another scene in the French Market of New Orleans.

At Bayou Paul Road is the rustic M. Barthel Store (circa 1880), although locals call it the J. A. Barthel Store. The swayback plank porch leads to a dim interior captured for its atmosphere in numerous commercials and films. Although the store no longer stocks general merchandise-buckets, boots, moss, and such-the straightforward display of foodstuffs and sundries on unadorned shelving preserves the flavor of a River Road general store where the proprietor greets everyone by name and business is still done the old-fashioned way.

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