The Deer at Tensas

Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge in Northeast Louisiana

In this in-between time, after Christmas and before the new year, I’m enjoying some time off from my regular duties. There have been a couple of beautiful days in Northeast Louisiana and so I’ve taken to the roads to take some photographs. The lovely Maggy joined me on this journey, making it even more enjoyable.

Although it’s just an hour away, I seldom drive over to Tensas River NWR, but I always enjoy the time there. It is not convenient - there’s no exit off of I-20. The entrance to Quebec Road sits between exits and leads you eleven miles or so to the visitor center and the entrance to the wildlife loop - a drivable tour of various settings such as swamp land, fields, wooded areas, and back again. Many people enjoy these surroundings and take photographs. One resource for these photos is the Facebook Group Tensas River NWR Photography.

We didn’t see a wide variety of wildlife today, but we saw so many deer! Here is a sample. Click on each picture to see it enlarged if you’d like.

Deer at Tensas River NWR

These were all taken in the space of a couple of hours! I don’t have the most advanced equipment, or talent, but the creation expresses it’s own beauty! One of the first deer we saw on our drive was a beautiful buck and doe side by side. The buck bolted into the woods before I could get a picture. He had such a beautiful rack! But the doe watched a bit … then turned around and ‘waved’ at us! Here she is:

Doe at Tensas River NWR

The beauty of that area is that so much of it is untouched by human encroachment. Evidence of ‘Adam’s’ work is there … tractors, fields ready to plant, a road runs through it … but a lot of effort has gone into conservation.

Beautiful Landscape of Tensas River NWR

While we were near the area, Maggy and I drove around the Poverty Point Reservoir State Park. It’s not far from home, but one of these days we want to go spend a few days in the cabins there. I’ve never photographed an armadillo before, but this youngster was doing his best to dig up a meal on a warm-ish afternoon! He was pretty entertaining because he wasn’t digging up my yard! I’ve heard them called possum on the half-shell, but possums are our friends. Armadillos? I don’t know! I posted a picture of some coots and a cormorant from Poverty Point as well.

Armadillo, Coots, and a Cormorant at Poverty Point Reservoir State Park

Louisiana truly is a ‘Sportsman’s Paradise’ and it’s a joy to see the beauty and experience the peace of being in God’s nature. Thanks for walking with me through today’s adventure. Tomorrow it’s supposed to rain and this week will be coming to a close. 2023 is right in front of us, Lord willing! I hope you have a meaningful entry into the new year!

Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
    let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. - Psalm 96:12