re: Best N.O. April birding/wildlife/hiking/photo spot -- advice needed

I'd try Grand Isle. The birds are migrating across the Gulf and tend to come down on the first land available. Grand Isle can be pretty good during migration. If Dauphin Island is on your way to New Orleans you could try that too, it's probably a bit better. Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve may be decent too since there aren't many trees between there and the coast and if you don't want to drive as far as Grand Isle it is probably a good pick.

I'm blocking out the end of April to go down to the Keys for birding/photograpy. Plan on camping a night on the Dry Tortugas which are almost legendary for migration birding. Can't wait.


BTW - I bought the same lens you are using less than a year ago and love it.