April 13–16, 2025 Spring Bird Photo Tour
Millers Lake
Cazan Lake
Lake MartinA lone Black-bellied Whistling Duck pauses on the calm surface of Lake Martin, Louisiana. Its chestnut body and vivid pink bill stand out against the reflection of the surrounding swamp forest. Photographed from a boat in the early morning light, the duck’s upright stance and quiet presence showcase the beauty and composure of this striking wetland species.
Millers LakeWhite-faced Ibis Soars Across a Clear Blue Sky at Miller’s LakeA White-faced Ibis glides through the open sky above Miller’s Lake, its wings stretched wide in the bright morning light. The iridescent sheen of its dark plumage flashes green and bronze with each wingbeat, while its long curved bill and red facial skin glow against the crisp blue backdrop. Seen in flight, the ibis reveals the elegance and wild energy that define Louisiana’s wetlands.
Photographed during a morning shoot at Henderson Swamp in south Louisiana. This series focuses on Osprey activity in a classic cypress swamp setting. The Osprey are flying too and freom there nest which are on Cypress Trees growing in the water.
Millers LakeA male Boat-tailed Grackle spreads his wings and tail in a full courtship display, his iridescent plumage catching flashes of blue and violet in the marsh light. With his body tilted forward and bill raised high, he lets out a metallic, rattling call intended to impress nearby females. The exaggerated posture and bold presence are hallmarks of this species’ dramatic breeding ritual, common in spring across Louisiana wetlands.
Lake MartinA Prothonotary Warbler perches briefly among the shadows and light of a cypress-tupelo swamp in Louisiana. Its vivid yellow plumage glows against the damp, muted forest—an unmistakable flash of life in the wetland understory. These cavity-nesting warblers rely on forested wetlands for breeding and are one of the few eastern warblers found nesting in swamps.
Cazan Lake
Lake MartinAn Anhinga stretches its wings wide to dry in the warm evening light at Lake Martin, Louisiana. Perched within the Lake, this water bird uses the sun to evaporate moisture from its feathers after diving for fish. Unlike most aquatic birds, the Anhinga lacks waterproof plumage, giving it that signature “spread-wing” pose often seen in the stillness of southern swamps.
Lake MartinA female Red-winged Blackbird perches lightly on lush fern leaves along the edge of Lake Martin in Louisiana. Unlike her boldly colored male counterpart, she’s dressed in streaked earth tones that provide perfect camouflage against the greenery. This understated beauty is a key player in wetland ecosystems, nesting low in the reeds and shrubs of freshwater marshes.
Fulvous Whistling-Duck photographed in flight against a clear blue sky at Henderson Swamp in south Louisiana. Known for their cinnamon-toned plumage and graceful flight, these tropical waterfowl are often seen in pairs or flocks soaring above Louisiana’s cypress swamps. This image captures the contrast between the duck’s warm tones and the crisp spring sky above the Atchafalaya Basin.
Cazan Lake
Lake Martin
Rip Van Winkle Gardens
Rip Van Winkle Gardens
Photographed during a morning shoot at Henderson Swamp in south Louisiana. This series focuses on Osprey activity in a classic cypress swamp setting. The Osprey are flying too and freom there nest which are on Cypress Trees growing in the water.
Photographed during a morning shoot at Henderson Swamp in south Louisiana. This series focuses on Osprey activity in a classic cypress swamp setting. The Osprey are flying too and freom there nest which are on Cypress Trees growing in the water.
Lake MartinAn American Alligator rests motionless on a cypress log in a Louisiana swamp, with a tangle of invasive water hyacinth perched on its back like a crown. This floating vegetation, introduced from South America, now blankets wetlands across the region. The image blends beauty with a quiet nod to the challenges facing native species and habitats impacted by aggressive invaders.
Photographed during a morning shoot at Henderson Swamp in south Louisiana. This series focuses on Osprey activity in a classic cypress swamp setting. The Osprey are flying too and freom there nest which are on Cypress Trees growing in the water.
Lake Martin
Rip Van Winkle Gardens
Millers LakeA single Roseate Spoonbill in full breeding color glides through the open air above Lake Martin. Its wings, once pastel, are now glowing with rich rose-red tones as it soars beneath a brilliant blue sky. The sharp contrast of crimson against azure highlights this seasonal transformation — a fleeting moment of wild beauty and vitality in the spring landscape.
A group of Roseate Spoonbills cuts across a cloudless blue sky, their wings lit with vivid red and magenta hues characteristic of breeding plumage. These striking birds, normally a softer pink, transform during mating season into radiant fliers with deep crimson shoulders and backs. The birds rise in synchronized motion above the wetlands, elegant and unmistakable against the pure blue backdrop.
Cazan LakeThree Black-bellied Whistling Ducks gather on a cypress branch extending over Lake Martin. Photographed from a boat just offshore, the trio balances in perfect formation—pink bills glowing softly in the filtered swamp light. This elevated perch, typical of the species, gives a rare overhead look at waterfowl more often seen floating or calling from the reeds.
Millers Lakeupelo trees rise from the still waters of Miller’s Lake, their trunks catching the last golden light of evening. The warm tones bring out the textured bark and rich shapes of the trees, while soft reflections shimmer across the surface of the swamp. This quiet moment captures the timeless beauty of Louisiana’s wetland forests, where light, water, and ancient trees meet in perfect balance.