Field Trip Schedule and Info

2024 Field Trips

Click the button below to register for upcoming field trips.

March Field Trip

Saturday March 16, 2024

Lake Martin Field Trip

Cajun Country Swamp Tours
1209 Rookery Road 
Breaux Bridge, LA 70517

This is Louisiana and it is the Sportsman’s Paradise. We love our birds and animals and photographing them in their natural habitat. There is no better opportunity for nature photography than Lake Martin, just a 1-hour drive from Baton Rouge.  

IMPORTANT: I have been in communication with Shelly at Cajun Country Swamp Tours and she has told me that she will open up a 9:00 AM boat tour with their guide, Shawn. The cost will be $25/person. However, this is the deal, if we can get 10 people signed up for the 9:00 AM boat tour, we will have essentially a 1 ½ hour “private” tour. Each person must book their seat through the Cajun Country Swamp Tours website.

https://www.cajuncountryswamptours.com/

Also, there is a 5:45 PM sunset boat tour that will be left to the individual.

Also, the trails at The Nature Conservancy Cypress Island Preserve are open for walking and parking is available on Rookery Road. The visitors’ center and the picnic area are both closed. The south entrance to the lake is also closed. Guest are able to walk around the bird rookery (closed June-October during alligator nesting season). The Nature Conservancy boardwalk has not been repaired. 

https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/cypress-island/

There is a 5-mile walking trail around Lake Martin. More information is located at the link below with a printable trail map.

https://www.louisianahikes.com/lake-martin-loop

There are no bathrooms at the boat dock but there is a Dollar General at the Hwy. 31 and Lake Martin Road intersection. Breaux Bridge is 2 ½ miles away and has bathroom opportunities. 

The photographic equipment should include a D-SLR or Mirrorless camera with a wide-angle zoom and a telephoto zoom in the range of 150-600 mm for birds and wildlife. A circular polarizer is always a good idea around water. Consider a tripod or a monopod to stabilize the telephoto zoom lens. 

Please sign up in Visual Pursuits and plan to upload photos to the Field Trip Gallery.


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April Field Trip

Saturday April 20, 2024

Houmas House Gardens
40136 Highway 942
Darrow, LA 70725

Everyone loves flowers and gardens! We are in luck because the April field trip will be to the Houmas House Gardens. The gardens are 38 acres of topical flowers and plants with paved walkways and plenty of benches to sit on. There are also peacocks and hens that roam around the gardens.

The self-guided tour is $20 for adults ($10 for teens 13-17, $5 for children 6-12). The self-guided tour is up to 8 hours and the hours are 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. 

This will be a fun and relaxed field trip close to home and the participants should plan to wear comfortable walking shoes, cool clothing and a hat for sun protection along with sunscreen for exposed skin.

Camera equipment should include a D-SLR or Mirrorless camera with a wide-angle zoom lens, a short telephoto, circular polarizing filter, ND filters (for fountains and other water features), a macro lens and tripod.

Please sign up in Visual Pursuits and plan to upload photos to the Field Trip Gallery.

CLICK HERE to register for Field Trips!

Field trip dates may be subject to change depending on several factors, including – but not limited to – weather, illness, site closure, etc. The field trip coordinator will keep registrants apprised of any changes that occur. Please refer to the Newsletter, Calendar, and this page for reference.