Charles Bush Photography October 2026 Newsletter
Colorful Cypress on a Foggy Day at Lake Fausse Pointe
Fall Cypress Swamps, Spring Wading Birds, and Preparing for Your Next Photo Adventure
October is here, and that means we’re getting close to one of my favorite times of the year for photographing Louisiana’s cypress swamps.
In just a few weeks, I’ll be back on the water with photographers exploring these remarkable landscapes. At the same time, I’m looking ahead to next spring, when Louisiana’s lakes and wetlands become some of the most productive locations in the country for photographing nesting wading birds.
This month, I want to share an update on our upcoming tours, introduce some of the photographic opportunities awaiting us next spring, and offer advice on preparing for a successful photography tour.
Fall Cypress Photography Tours — Two Spaces Remaining
Our November and December cypress swamp photography tours are nearly full, but two spaces remain on the November 30–December 3 tour.
Late autumn is a wonderful time to explore Louisiana’s cypress swamps. As the season progresses, the cypress trees begin changing color, creating opportunities to photograph their reflections in the still waters of the swamp.
One of the things I enjoy most about photographing these landscapes is that conditions are never exactly the same. The light, water levels, weather, and changing foliage all influence the photographs we can make.
Whether we’re photographing reflections in the early morning light, exploring the shapes and textures of ancient cypress trees, or working with atmospheric conditions, there is always something interesting to discover.
Only two spaces remain on our final fall tour.
[Learn More About the Fall Cypress Photography Tours]
[View a Slideshow with images from the 2025 Tours}
Spring 2027 — Photographing Louisiana’s Wading Birds
Miller’s Lake and Cazan Lake
Spring brings an entirely different photographic experience to Louisiana.
While our fall tours concentrate primarily on landscapes, our spring tours focus on photographing nesting wading birds at two remarkable locations: Miller’s Lake and Cazan Lake.
These lakes provide opportunities to photograph wading birds during one of the most interesting periods of their annual life cycle.
As breeding season progresses, birds develop their colorful breeding plumage, establish nesting territories, engage in courtship behavior, and begin raising their young.
For photographers, this creates opportunities that go well beyond traditional bird portraits.
Miller’s Lake — An Extraordinary Bird Photography Destination
Miller’s Lake has long been one of my favorite locations for photographing Louisiana’s wading birds.
The concentration of nesting birds can provide opportunities to photograph several species, often displaying interesting behaviors.
Depending on the timing of our visit, we may encounter birds in breeding plumage, courtship displays, nest-building activity, or adults tending their young.
One of the advantages of working from a boat is the opportunity to photograph birds from a low perspective, often with backgrounds that would be difficult to achieve from shore.
Cattle Egrets Building their Nest
Cazan Lake — Another Perspective on Spring Bird Photography
Cazan Lake offers additional opportunities to photograph Louisiana’s nesting wading birds.
Every location has its own character, and photographing at multiple lakes gives us the flexibility to respond to changing conditions and bird activity.
The goal isn’t simply to photograph as many birds as possible. It’s to recognize opportunities for compelling images, paying attention to light, backgrounds, composition, and behavior.
Great Egret Feeding its chicks at Cazan Lake
Spring 2027 Tour Dates
Our spring photography tours are scheduled for:
April 18–21, 2027
May 16–19, 2027
June 6–9, 2027
Each tour offers a somewhat different perspective on the nesting season as the birds progress through their breeding cycle.
[Explore the Spring 2027 Photography Tours]
[View a Slideshow of Photographs taken on the 2026 Spring Tours]
Preparing for Louisiana Swamp Photography — What You Should Know
Whether you’re planning to photograph Louisiana’s nesting birds in spring or the colorful cypress swamps in fall, a little preparation can make a tremendous difference.
After years of photographing these wetlands, I’ve learned that Louisiana weather can be surprisingly unpredictable. I’ve experienced chilly spring mornings with temperatures in the 50s and fall excursions when temperatures dropped into the 30s. Traveling across open water in a boat can make even a relatively mild morning feel considerably colder.
Choosing the right clothing is important, but there are other considerations as well, including camera equipment, protecting your gear from water, and something many photographers overlook: the potential damage sunscreen and insect repellent can cause to photographic equipment.
I’ve put together a guide covering choosing the proper clothing to photograph in the Swamp. I also plan additional articals on the other considerations as well, so stay tuned.
[Read the Guide: Preparing for Louisiana Swamp Photography — Choosing Clothing]
I’m looking forward to getting back into Louisiana’s swamps in November and sharing these remarkable landscapes with the photographers joining me. And with spring just around the corner, I’m already anticipating another exciting season photographing Louisiana’s nesting wading birds.
Charles Bush
http://www.charlesbushphoto.com
charlie@charlesbushphoto.com
985 223-4708