When Edmund McIlhenny's son created the Jungle Gardens he added another ingredient to Avery Island, one that gardeners and nature lovers enjoy as much as the gourmets who relish the zesty taste that a few sprinkles of Tabasco sauce adds to the dishes before them.

Ned traveled the world gathering greenery from every continent for the exotic garden he created on a 200-acre section of Avery Island. Roads meander through the Jungle Gardens so you can enjoy them from the comfort of your car. But visitors who follow some of the enticing footpaths get a better view of shallow water plants such as Louisiana irises, and a close up look at flowering shrubs such as hydrangeas, azaleas and camellias. Hikers can also inspect a glass temple that shelters an 800-year-old statue of Buddha. The oriental deity keeps watch over a secluded Chinese garden ringed by seven hills.

White-tailed deer, alligators, and thousands of herons are among the wildlife you may see in the Jungle gardens. The herons are descendants of seven young snowy egrets that Ned McIlhenny captured in 1892 and raised in flight cages built over a lagoon. The birds were on the brink of extinction because their plumes were popular decorations for ladies' hats. The egrets fly to South America in the winter and return to their Avery Island home every year.

Egret Platforms on the Lagoon