The Mighty Mississippi

A couple of things I've learned in the last few days: 
  Amphiuma is a snake-like, eel-like salamander that lives in southeastern US coastal wetlands, drained marshlands, and drainage ditches (next to which I encountered the one in the photo below).  They hide in vegetation during the day and hunt at night (eating insects, frogs, other amphiuma).  According to Carol, who IDed this for me, they can be quite aggressive and deliver a nasty bite.  When I grabbed this one to toss it back into the ditch, it did display that tendency. 
  Cajuns are decendents of the 17th century French colonists who settled in the Bay of Fundy/ Nova Scotia area which they called Acadia.  But, the French and English were duking it out there trying to control North America, so the Acadians were displaced and dispersed.  About 30 years later Spain had control of Louisiana and needed warm bodies to fill its claims.  The English were holding these Acadians as war prisoners, and gave them up.  The Acadians, and later Cadians and finally Cajuns settled the area and retreated into isolation in the bayous of Louisiana.
  I'm in New Roads, LA tonight, and escaped Baton Rouge without incident.  It was drizzly, cold and windy today despite which I had a good day along the Mississippi, seeing lots of cool birds (including white pelicans and loggerhead shrikes), and learned a new salamander (thanks Carol). 
  Almost got my ass kicked at Jim's bar and grill where I had to go to rent my campsite.  (One rather inebriated patron thought I was an idiot for doing what I'm doing.  When a couple of other patrons stood up for me it started to get nasty). Folks, I just wanted a tentsite, so I paid and slipped out the back door.