Trip Report for My April 13–16, 2025 Photo Tour
Every photo shoot on this trip delivered a wealth of strong images. We were fortunate to have ideal weather and plenty of cooperative birds. I've created a gallery of highlights from the tour, which you can view here.
Note, there is still time to join the May 18th Tour. Click here to read more and to reserve your spot.
April 13: Rip's Rookery Warm-Up
Roseate Spoonbill in Flight at Rips Rookery
As is my custom, I began the tour by scouting Rip's Rookery in New Iberia on my way to meet the group. I left at 9:30 AM and arrived at the rookery by 11:00 AM, walking the path around the ponds to check activity. Birds were nesting on both the large and small islands.
That afternoon, after gathering the group at the Holiday Inn Express, we returned to Rip's Rookery together. Most of our time was spent at the small island where we photographed:
Little Blue Herons
Cattle Egrets
An Anhinga perched above the water (the pond itself wasn’t visible)
Roseate Spoonbills in flight over the area
April 14: Cazan Lake and Lake Martin
Great Egret in Flight at Cazan Lake
We began the day early with a drive to PJF Farms near Ville Platte to photograph at the Cazan Lake Rookery. Nesting activity was high, with many Great Egrets and some Roseate Spoonbills.
The egrets were in various nesting stages:
Courtship and display
Sitting on eggs
Feeding tiny chicks
Tending to nearly fledged young
My best images here were of Great Egrets in flight, coming and going from the rookery.
The birds nest in Cypress Trees, giving us beautiful natural settings to work with.
After a midday break to download photos and recharge, we headed out to Lake Martin for a boat shoot. Highlights from that trip included:
Prothonotary Warbler Taking Flight at Lake Martin
A close encounter with a Prothonotary Warbler
A Green Heron front-lit in the brush
An Anhinga drying its wings
A Black-bellied Whistling Duck
An Alligator with hyacinth foliage draped across its back
April 15: Overcast Magic at Cazan and Golden Light at Miller's Lake
A Green Heron in Flight at Miller’s Lake
With soft, overcast skies in the morning, we adjusted our schedule and arrived at Cazan Lake around 9:30 AM. The diffused light allowed us to work within the rookery, photographing:
Great Egrets nesting deep in the trees
Birds interacting among the Cypress branches
The light was perfect for preserving detail without harsh shadows or blown highlights.
That afternoon, we traveled to Miller's Lake for a 3:30 PM boat departure. The bird activity and light were both exceptional. We photographed:
Roseate Spoonbills in flight
A Least Bittern tucked into the reeds
A White-faced Ibis with iridescent feathers
A Green Heron captured in flight
Glowing evening light on the Tupelo Forest by the lake
April 16: Ospreys at Henderson Swamp
Osprey with Fight at Henderson Swamp
For our final morning, we headed to Henderson Swamp to focus on Osprey in flight. Using the Windy iPhone app, I had selected the day and time for optimal wind direction—ensuring head-on, front-lit flight shots.
And it worked!
We had:
An Osprey delivering a fish to its nest
Another bringing nesting material
Perfectly front-lit shots with great wing position, captured at 20 FPS
Final Thoughts and May Tour Preview
This tour had it all—great weather, fantastic birds, and a truly enjoyable group of photographers. I’m expecting more excellent opportunities on my May 11 and May 18 tours. By then, more Roseate Spoonbills should have established nests, and we’ll likely see Egret and Heron chicks being fed by their parents.
The May 11 tour is full, but spots are still available for the May 18 tour. Click here to read more and to reserve your space while there's still time.
How AI Is Unlocking the Secrets of Bird Communication
I ran into a Youtube Video by Hannah Fry about animal communition and AI. I did some further research and came up with this post. I think there will be a revolution in how we photograph birds over the next few years. This is exciting!
AI is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it raises real concerns about privacy, misinformation, and the dehumanizing aspects of automation. But on the other hand, it holds incredible potential in areas I care deeply about—like bird photography and wildlife observation.
Personally, I use AI tools like Merlin Bird ID almost daily. Whether I’m on a boat in a cypress swamp or walking a wooded trail, I rely on Merlin’s sound ID feature to help identify birds by their calls. It's a game changer. But what excites me even more is the potential for AI to not just identify species, but to recognize behavioral patterns. If a certain call means feeding or territorial defense, knowing that in real time could completely transform how and where I set up for a shot.
This got me thinking: could we someday get real-time insights into species like Osprey? Their vocalizations are frequent and varied, especially around nests and during feeding. I haven’t found a comprehensive breakdown yet, but I’m on the lookout for research into decoding Osprey calls. If AI could help me understand what an Osprey is "saying," it could be a revolution in storytelling through photography.
Why Bird Communication Matters
Birds use sounds for far more than just attracting mates or warning of danger. Their songs and calls carry a range of meanings—some of which we’re only now beginning to grasp. Studying this behavior can:
Offer insights into bird behavior and ecology
Help track population changes and habitat health
Contribute to our understanding of language evolution
How AI Is Changing the Game
AI models can analyze thousands of hours of field recordings and pick up on patterns the human ear might miss. Some exciting developments include:
Birdsong translation: AI trained on labeled datasets is beginning to differentiate context-specific calls.
Species identification: Tools like Merlin Bird ID and BirdNET can now identify species in real time by sound alone.
Social interaction analysis: AI is helping researchers study how birds interact with each other over time.
The Role of Citizen Scientists
Platforms like eBird and Xeno-Canto make it possible for everyday birders to contribute sound recordings and observations. These community-generated datasets feed directly into AI systems, refining them over time. That means the next time you upload a dawn chorus recording, you might be helping decode avian language.
What This Means for Photographers and Naturalists
As someone who spends hours in the field, I can see how these tools open up new layers of awareness. Imagine setting up for a photo and your phone quietly tells you that a certain call indicates feeding behavior nearby. It adds a new dimension to both observation and storytelling.
Looking Ahead: From Songs to Meaning
The ultimate goal? Understanding not just what birds are saying but why they’re saying it. AI is paving the way for a deeper, more nuanced understanding of avian lives, and as technology evolves, our connection with wildlife could grow more potent than ever.
Using ChatGPT to Improve Your Photography
Using ChatGPT to improve photography is a game-changer. Whether you're in the field, editing at home, or growing your photography business, AI can be a powerful assistant. From quick camera settings to SEO optimization, let’s explore how ChatGPT can take your photography to the next level!
A Real-World Example: ChatGPT Saves the Day in the Field
Just yesterday, I was out photographing with a friend who was using a Canon R5 Mark II. He wanted to check his histogram in the EVF to fine-tune his exposure, but he couldn’t remember how to enable it. Instead of fumbling through menus or searching for the manual, I simply pulled out my phone and asked ChatGPT. Within seconds, I had the answer:
👉 Press the "i" button multiple times to bring up the histogram
Problem solved, and he was back to shooting without missing a moment!
This is just one example of how using ChatGPT to improve photography can be a huge time-saver—especially when you're in the field and need quick, accurate answers.
How ChatGPT Can Enhance Your Photography Workflow
1. Researching Camera Settings in the Field
Ever struggled to remember which button does what on your camera? ChatGPT can quickly retrieve information about menu settings and button functions so you can make adjustments on the fly without digging through a manual.
2. Enhancing Post-Processing with Keywords and Captions
Metadata matters! If you’re uploading images to a portfolio or stock site, strong keywords and compelling captions improve discoverability. ChatGPT can generate relevant keywords based on your photo’s subject, location, and style, helping you reach the right audience.
3. Writing Blog Posts and Articles
Photography blogs boost engagement and establish your expertise, but writing can be time-consuming. ChatGPT can help structure articles, refine content, and suggest SEO-friendly phrases to attract more readers.
4. Planning Photo Shoots Like a Pro
ChatGPT can assist with scouting locations, finding the best shooting times, and offering creative shot ideas for a fresh perspective. It’s like having a research assistant for your next trip!
5. Choosing the Right Gear for Your Needs
Not sure if you should upgrade to the latest lens? ChatGPT can break down gear specs, compare options, and help you decide based on your shooting style and budget.
6. Improving Image Editing and Workflow
From Lightroom shortcuts to advanced Photoshop techniques, ChatGPT can guide you through various post-processing workflows to enhance your images faster.
7. Optimizing Your Website and Social Media for SEO
Whether you're a professional photographer or a hobbyist showcasing your work, SEO is key. ChatGPT can help craft better titles, meta descriptions, and hashtags to drive more traffic to your site and social media.
8. Growing Your Photography Business
From drafting emails and client proposals to brainstorming marketing strategies, ChatGPT can help streamline the business side of photography—so you can focus more on shooting.
How to Quickly Access ChatGPT on Your Smartphone
One of the best ways to make ChatGPT a true photography assistant is by setting it up for quick access on your smartphone. Here’s how you can do it:
On iPhones with the Action Button (iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max)
I personally use the Action Button on my iPhone to bring up ChatGPT instantly. Here’s how to set it up:
Go to Settings → Action Button
Choose “Shortcut”
Create a Shortcut that opens ChatGPT or triggers Siri to prompt ChatGPT
On iPhones Without the Action Button
If you don’t have an Action Button, you can still access ChatGPT quickly using:
Back Tap Gesture (Double or Triple tap the back of your iPhone)
Go to Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Back Tap
Set it to launch ChatGPT
Siri Shortcut
Use the Shortcuts app to create a voice command that opens ChatGPT
Example: “Hey Siri, open ChatGPT”
On Android Phones
For Android users, there are similar ways to speed up ChatGPT access:
Custom Gesture on Gesture-Based Navigation Phones
Use apps like Tasker or built-in Android gestures to open ChatGPT with a swipe
Google Assistant Integration
Set up Google Assistant to trigger ChatGPT via a shortcut
Home Screen Widget
If using the ChatGPT app, add it to your home screen for one-tap access
By setting up quick access, you can use ChatGPT effortlessly while shooting, editing, or researching photography techniques—saving time and keeping your focus on creativity.