Barry Brake, a backswamp area north of Natchitoches, Louisiana, along the western edge of the floodplain of Red River. Many backswamp features in this area were formed by abandoned river channels. Prior to being razed for timber or cleared for pasture in the historic era, such swamps were rich ecological zones dominated by bald cypress and tupelo (water gum) trees that provided habitat for many animals, birds, and fish. Photo by Jeff Girard.