A Muddy Fest but...

...there was Elvis!

Levee Dog Park

Levee on the Mississippi in New Orleans at Leake and Magazine near Audubon Park. Late March, 2008.

High-rise condos in Audubon Park

Gator Sighting

Apparently there are people in New Orleans who did not hear or read about the alligator in Audubon Park ( I'm not talking about the zoo area). One, estimated at four feet long (but look at the picture: Doesnt it seem bigger?), likes to wade in the man-made lagoon by the island of the million white-feathered swamp birds. Nearby, turtles sunbathe on a log, all lined up in a row.

Walking with the dog one morning, I stopped to photograph the birds and their high-rise condo-like nests sprinkled across the branches. It was a challenge to point and click with my right hand while Reddy tugged the leash held in my left hand. A four year-old boy crept up behind me and asked, "Do you see him?" And I asked "Who?" and he said "The alligator..." I asked him "Where?", and he pointed across the water towards the turtles sunbathing on the log.

I told him I did not have my contacts in so I could barely see a thing. "You see," I told him. "It's too early to put in my contacts, but if I take a picture in the general direction of the alligator I bet I could see it in the photograph." He didnt say anything.

So I took this picture, and wow, there it is! I read about it in the paper. The article said that the alligator has been elusive, and they have not been able to catch it. They even tried to dangle a baby over the water to lure it over. But they think the alligator isnt too hungry due to all the bread thrown to the ducks. So he does not pose too much of a threat...

I asked the little boy if he cared to see the photograph of the alligator on the lcd screen of my new digital canon. He said, "No, ma'am" and scooted off.

1/4 Fest

That's the Soul Rebels on the river stage on Saturday at the 25th French Quarter Fest. Beautiful day turned a bit chilly as the sun went down.

Later, we had char-broiled oysters at Dragos! I never thought I would be eating that butter I saw them scooping out of that large vat, but it was goooood. Sitting at the bar, we watched them shuck the biggest oysters I have seen in awhile,. Then they placed the half-shells on a pan, then the grill gal got the oysters from the pan and placed them on the grill, doused them in butter, FLAME!, sprinkled generously with parmesan, FLAME!, butter, FLAME! and then the delicious oysters are removed from the flame and doused with more butter that is then served to you, and you dip your fresh french bread in it.

And have you ever had Abita Strawberry Lager? It has me drinking beer again.

Dog day afternoon

Sunday, April 6
Audubon Park
Registration 10:30
Dog Walk 12:30
Pet contests 2:30