Kristy Christiansen 2017-01-14 01:52:49
Louisiana black bear Chemin-A-Haut Bayou ©Lyle Rains Roseate Spoonbill ©Michael McCarthy Just over a century ago, President Teddy Roosevelt traveled through the virgin cypress swamps and dense canebrakes of northeast Louisiana’s East Carroll and Madison parishes on a hunt for black bears. The legend of the 26th President rescuing an orphaned cub lives on today, celebrated each year with a parade, games and wildlife exhibits at the Teddy Bear Festival in Tallulah. Black bears continue to reside in this area as well, with one of the largest concentrations living in the Tensas River Basin. And they’re not the only residents you’ll find in the area, either. At Black Bear Golf Club in Delhi, frequently ranked as Golfweek’s Best Public Golf Course in Louisiana, you’ll likely spot native and exotic birds that migrate through the region as well. Louisiana falls within the Mississippi Flyway, a route taken by more than 325 species of birds flying round-trip between Canada, the northern United States and their winter homes along the Gulf of Mexico and Central and South America. Be sure to visit other outdoor highlights of this region, such as Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Although located within the city limits of Monroe, the refuge is a natural haven for waterfowl and other wildlife. Canoe enthusiasts won’t want to miss the a Paddling Trail along the longest undammed waterway on the lower Mississippi River. Its scenic beauty amplifies when giant bald cypresses emerge at the intersection of Bayou Bartholomew and Chemin- A-Haut Bayou. Learn more about Louisiana birding across the state by visiting LouisianaTravel.com/louisiana-birding-trails.
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