I grew up in the middle of America’s Wetland, the bayous of southwest Louisiana. In fact, we lived a few hundred feet from the Calcasieu River, a meandering waterway that flows 200 miles inland, south through Grand Lake and Calcasieu Lake, before entering the Gulf.

The Calcasieu’s name comes from a Native American word meaning “crying eagle.”

Its banks are lined by Bald Cypress trees, creating a natural sanctuary for native wildlife, like alligator and waterfowl. Though its width and depth vary, the river is vitial to area recreation and industry.

Here are some eye-catching views from above the river near Lake Charles.

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