Naturalist Crosses the Lake (version 9.0)
8-4-21 version 9.0
Source: Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission
A NATURALIST CROSSES
LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN
By Robert A. (Bob) Thomas, Center for Environmental Communication, School of Mass Communication, and The Environment Program, Loyola University New Orleans (Certified Master Naturalist, Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater New Orleans Chapter) – rathomas@loyno.edu, 504-865-2107
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8-4-21 version 9.0
A NATURALIST CROSSES LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN
Drive Across LaBranche Wetlands (Ver 1.8)
Version 1.8 10-17-21
DRIVE ACROSS THE LABRANCHE WETLANDS
By Bob Thomas, Loyola University – rathomas@loyno.edu
Note: All place references are by mile marker points (MM) on I-10. Drive time between the Kenner levee on I-10 and the I-55 exit from I-10: 10 minutes.
Drive Down Bayou Lafourche
10-17--21 Version 6.5
DRIVE DOWN BAYOU LAFOURCHE: A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF NATURAL HISTORY, ECONOMIC, AND CULTURAL ASPECTS OF THE DRIVE FROM U.S. 90 TO GRAND ISLE, PORT FOURCHON, AND ELMER’S ISLAND, LOUISIANA
By Robert A. Thomas, Loyola Center for Environmental Communication, School of Communication & Design, Loyola University New Orleans, & Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater New Orleans (rathomas@loyno.edu, 504-865-2107)
Alligator (Loggerhead) Snapping Turtle
Delta Journal
by Bob Thomas
The largest freshwater turtle in North America is the alligator snapping turtle, Macroclemys temminckii, often locally called the loggerhead (not to be confused with the loggerhead sea turtle that is common along Louisiana’s coast).
This species is brown, has three rows of large pointed scutes down the back, a very long tail, and a massive head that cannot be entirely withdrawn into the shell. Overall, it looks like a rough stump in the water.
Cricket Frogs (genus Acris) and Apostatic Selection
Nature Notes
by Bob Thomas
Possibly the most abundant frog species in our area are the northern cricket frog, Acris crepitans, and the southern cricket frog, Acris gryllus. The northern cricket frog occurs throughout Louisiana, and the southern cricket frog occurs only in the Florida Parishes north of Lake Pontchartrain. Although the northern cricket frog ranges further to the west, both essentially have a southeastern United States distribution.
Louisiana's State Amphibian: The Green Treefrog, Hyla cinerea
Nature Notes
by Bob Thomas
Green treefrogs (Hyla cinerea) are one of Louisiana's most recognizable frogs. They are common denizens of ponds, roadside ditches, canals, and swamps, often found on doors and windows where they feed on insects drawn by the porch light.