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April 2025 Charles Bush Photography Newsletter

April 2025 Tour Report

We Had a Great Spring Tour!

Solitary Black-bellied Whistling Duck in the Still Waters of Lake Martin

A Black-Bellied Whistling Duck in a Cypress Tree at Lake Martin

Trip Report — April 13-16

In mid-April, we had an incredible time photographing Louisiana’s spring birds. The weather cooperated, the birds were active, and the results were outstanding. Full trip highlights are in the report, along with a gallery of some of my favorite images. "One of my favorite moments was photographing the Roseate Spoonbills as they flew overhead, near sunset. The soft evening light was perfect for capturing natural behavior shots. It’s experiences like this that remind me why spring in Louisiana is truly special for bird photographers."

May Tour Openings

Roseate Spoonbill in Cypress at Cazan Lake–May 2024

Roseate Spoonbill in Cypress at Cazan Lake–May 2024

Spots are filling up, but there's still time to join us!

Reserve Your Place:

May Louisiana Bird Photography Tour

Come experience prime spring action in the cypress swamps and rookeries. Perfect for capturing nesting behavior, dramatic landscapes, and more.

Learn more here: Louisiana Bird Photo Tours

Fall 2025 Tour Sign-ups Are Open!

At Lake Martin in November 2024, golden swamp sunflowers brighten the shoreline, with cypress trees in vibrant fall foliage reflected in the clear brown water under a blue sky dotted with clouds.

At Lake Martin in November 2024, golden swamp sunflowers brighten the shoreline, with cypress trees in vibrant fall foliage reflected in the clear brown water under a blue sky dotted with clouds.

If you're dreaming of misty mornings, colorful cypress trees, and dramatic autumn light, now's the time to reserve your spot for the Fall 2025 tours. Fall is one of the most magical times to photograph Louisiana's swamps and landscapes. "Fall photography in Louisiana is unlike anywhere else. Mist hangs over the cypress swamps in the early morning, turning the water into a silver mirror. The vibrant orange and red cypress leaves provide a stunning backdrop for photographing migrating birds and dramatic landscapes. I time my fall tours to catch peak color and morning fog."

Check out the details here: Fall Photo Tours

"Thanks again for following along. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, I hope these updates, tips, and tours help you capture your best work yet. If you ever have questions about gear, technique, or destinations, feel free to contact me by email or phone, love hearing from fellow photographers!"See you out there,

Charlie

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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 Spoobill in Flight

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

A Great Egret in Flight

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:

A Prothonotary Warbler Taking Flight

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

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 in Flight – 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.

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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.

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