Located in New Orleans’ Honey Island Swamp, Cajun Encounters exposes visitors to the natural beauty of the American swampland. Over the course of these two hour excursions, one of Cajun Encounters’ hilarious tour guides share their passion for a region uniquely its own. Filled with house boats, 20 pound swamp rats and of course, alligators, these Cajun quagmires are the perfect addition to anyone’s journey down to The Big Easy.
An alligator takes a swim on the river's surface. Alligators are born with a third eyelid that protects their eyes while they swim. Photographed by Emily Chandler/BruinLife.
An American alligator cooling off in the river from the day's sunny rays. New Orleans is home to this majestic species. Photographed by Emily Chandler/BruinLife.
Treading along the surface of the water, an American alligator makes its presence known. Photographed by Cathryn Kuczynski/Bruinlife.
An alligator splashes across the surface of the river attempting to catch a piece of food thrown from the passing tour boat. Photographed by Emily Chandler/BruinLife.
A number of alligators approach the edges of our tour boat, awaiting their daily food source which is tossed overboard by the captain. Photographed by Emily Chandler/BruinLife.
An adult American alligator floating just above the surface of the river, awaiting its next food source. Photographed by Cathryn Kuczynski/Bruinlife.
Two New Orleans natives take to the swamp for an early morning fishing trip. Photographed by Emily Chandler/BruinLife.
Man-made ruins disrupt many aspects of the alligators' natural habitat. The most immediate threat to alligators in New Orleans is habitat degradation. Photographed by Emily Chandler/BruinLife.
Lily pads and accompanying greenery surround the river's edge. Photographed by Emily Chandler/BruinLife.
A baby raccoon trails off from his family to survey the passing tour boat at the edge of the river bank. Photographed by Emily Chandler/BruinLife.
A baby raccoon washes its hands at the edge of the swamp while standing and gazing at passersby. Photographed by Cathryn Kuczynski/Bruinlife.
Carefully treading the swamplands, a flurry of young raccoons cool off in the shallow swamplands. Photographed by Emily Chandler/BruinLife.
A common inhabitant of the New Orleans woodlands, the raccoon family prows amongst the trees. Photographed by Emily Chandler/BruinLife.
Two wild boars tread along the river edge as they run around the swamplands with their family. Photographed by Cathryn Kuczynski/Bruinlife.
