Grand Cote National Wildlife Reuge, Louisiana

Grand Cote NWR, Marksville, Louisiana: In Cajun-French, a "grand cote" is a big hill, thus the refuge name identifies its most prominent feature: a large bluff on the northern boundary. Most of the rest of this south-central Louisiana refuge is wetlands bordered by ridges and terraced uplands. This crawfish pond with its large stand of water smartweed is typical of the productive wetlands found here. The mix of habitat at Grand Cote supports a wide variety of species. It is particularly important as a wintering ground for northern pintails.