Charles Bush Photography August Newsletter
Photography Close to Home
Sometimes the best photography opportunities are much closer than we expect.
Since moving to Thibodaux, I’ve discovered that the body of water behind the house — which the neighborhood calls Abbey Lake, although it looks more like a pond to me — can be a surprisingly good place for Louisiana wildlife photography.
I haven’t had a lot of time to simply stand outside and photograph, but I’m continually noticing birds and other wildlife around the water.
The Green Heron pictured here is a good example. I wasn’t out looking for birds at all. I was mowing the lawn when I noticed it along the edge of the water. I stopped, grabbed the camera, and was able to make a few photographs.
A Surprising Variety of Wildlife
So far, I’ve seen quite a variety around Abbey Lake, including:
Green Herons
Anhingas
Large numbers of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks
Mallards
And even a Bald Eagle flying overhead with a duck in its talons
There are undoubtedly more that I simply haven’t had time to notice yet.
It’s certainly not the same as heading out into the Louisiana swamps specifically to photograph wildlife, but it’s a nice reminder that wildlife photography opportunities can turn up almost anywhere — sometimes literally right behind the house.
Fall 2026 Cypress Swamp Photography Tour — November 30–December 3
2 spaces available
Fall is one of my favorite times to photograph Louisiana’s cypress swamps. Changing cypress colors, Spanish moss, reflections, and early-morning conditions give the swamps an entirely different character from what we see in spring.
Spring 2027 Louisiana Swamp Photography Tours
Spring brings nesting wading birds, breeding plumage, alligators, and the lush green landscape of the Louisiana swamps.
April 18–21, 2027 — 2 spaces available
May 16–19, 2027 — 5 spaces available
June 6–9, 2027 — 2 spaces available
July 2026 Newsletter: Fall Tour Openings & Updates
Summer is moving quickly, and I wanted to share a few updates about upcoming photography tours and a new article on my website.
Fall Tour Openings
Two Openings Available on the November 30 – December 3 Cypress Swamp Photography Tour
Due to a recent schedule change, two spaces have become available on my November 30 – December 3, 2026 Cypress Swamp Photography Tour.
While the peak fall color has usually passed by early December, this time of year often provides the best opportunities for fog and mist. Many of my favorite cypress swamp photographs have been made during these quiet mornings when layers of fog drift through the trees, creating beautiful light and a peaceful atmosphere that is difficult to find at other times of the year.
If you’ve been considering joining us this fall, I’d love to have you along.
Learn more about the Fall Tour:
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Spring 2027 Tours Are Filling
Reservations continue to come in for the 2027 spring workshops, and two of the tours are already nearing capacity.
* April 18–21, 2027 – 2 spaces remaining
* June 6–9, 2027 – 2 spaces remaining
Each spring tour is scheduled to coincide with a different stage of the nesting season, providing opportunities to photograph everything from courtship displays and nest building to chicks as they grow and prepare to fledge.
If you’re thinking about photographing Louisiana’s spectacular bird rookeries next spring, I encourage you to reserve your space while openings are still available.
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New on the Blog – Alligators in Bird Rookeries
One of the most fascinating aspects of photographing Louisiana’s swamps is watching the complex relationships between the wildlife that lives there.
My newest blog article explores the role alligators play in bird rookeries and includes several short videos captured during a recent visit. It’s a fascinating reminder that nature is rarely as simple as it first appears.
I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read the article and watch the videos.
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Thank you for following my photography and for your continued support. I hope to see many of you in the swamps this fall or next spring.
Alligators in Louisiana Wading Bird Rookeries
Most people think of alligators simply as predators, but they also play an important role in protecting Louisiana’s wading bird rookeries. Raccoons, opossums, and other mammalian nest predators are reluctant to enter waters occupied by large alligators. As a result, many nesting colonies gain an added layer of protection during the breeding season. In return, the alligators occasionally benefit from chicks that fall from the nests above. It is one of nature’s many balances and an important part of a healthy wetland ecosystem.
Nature in Action
During one of my recent Louisiana Wildlife Photography Tours, I captured this relationship on video. The clip shows an alligator feeding on a chick that had fallen from the rookery. While it isn’t an easy scene to watch, it honestly documents how these ecosystems function. As wildlife photographers, we have the opportunity—and the responsibility—to record nature as it unfolds.
An Alligator eating an Egret Chick
From Stills to Video
The second video looks back nearly twenty years to a similar encounter photographed with a Nikon D2X. At that time, creating wildlife “video” meant assembling a rapid sequence of still photographs. Today’s cameras make capturing these moments much easier, but patience, observation, and time in the field remain the keys to successful wildlife photography.
Another Alligator Clip, this one assembled from a number of still images created with a D2X
Whether photographed nearly twenty years ago or on my most recent tour, these two videos illustrate the same story. Alligators are more than predators—they help maintain the healthy balance that makes Louisiana’s wading bird rookeries such remarkable places to observe and photograph wildlife.