Swamp trees

Shrouded Sentinel - A lone bald cypress tree with rust colored leaves stands shrouded in Spanish moss in the shallow waters of Lake Martin outside Breaux Bridge, Louisiana.

John Henley photographed a series of beautiful and breathtaking images of the Great Dismal Swamp for our December 2011 feature "The Green Island." We published nine images in the magazine, but offer an expanded selection of 22 in this slideshow.

A reflection of cypress trees in the Cypress Island Preserve at Lake Martin, near Lafayette, LA. Buy a copy of my new book, A Carolina Mountain Perspective.

Mangroves develop in the swamps of tropical coasts around the world. Mangrove trees that grow in Thailand's forest have evolved to have aerial roots to resist the intense saltiness of the ground and the lack of oxygen underwater. Fresh water from a nearby limestone mountain mixes with seawater, giving way to beautiful emerald pools amongst the winding tree roots.

Four bald cypress trees in Lafayette Square, across from the White House, mark the southern edge of a 100,000 year old cypress swamp.

Bald cypress, ornamental and timber tree native to swampy areas of southern North America.

Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) is a flowering plant that often grows upon larger trees, commonly the southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) and bald-cypress (Taxodium distichum) in the lowlands, swamps, and savannas of the southeastern United States from Texas and Florida north through southern Arkansas and Virginia. Spanish-moss is an epiphyte which absorbs nutrients and water through its leaves from the air and rainfall.

Dive into the mysterious world of Louisiana's enchanting bayous, explore the Swamp's hidden wonders, and discover the rich history, diverse wildlife, and captivating folklore of this one-of-a-kind ecosystem – a true gem of the Bayou State.

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