CHURD Photography

05/29/2026

05/26/2026

Lake Charles, LA

05/23/2026

Tonight’s moon over the woods of Moss Bluff.

Stopped for a few minutes and looked up through the trees to catch this crescent moon hanging in the night sky. The crater detail along the shadow line was incredible tonight.

Captured with the OM-1 Mark II and the OM System 150-400mm at 500mm.
500mm • f/5.6 • 1/500s • ISO 800 • RAW

05/22/2026

Mabel’s Orchard Orbweaver 🕷️

Known for their long, delicate legs and metallic-looking markings, Orchard Orbweavers build nearly invisible webs that quietly stretch between branches waiting for the next unlucky insect to fly through.

I accidentally walked straight into this web while exploring. If I had been a fly instead of a photographer, the ending probably would have gone very differently. 😅

What caught my attention was the bright pattern hidden on such a tiny body. Up close, nature starts looking almost unreal, like something designed from another planet.

For more information; https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/776900-Leucauge-argyrobapta

Captured on the OM-1 Mark II with the OM System 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II.

Camera Settings:
40mm • f/5 • 1/125s • ISO 200 • RAW

CHURD Photography
Exploring the hidden world woven around us.

05/22/2026

Guinea Paper Wasp

Despite their reputation, paper wasps are important predators that help control pest insects naturally. Their nests are built from chewed plant fibers mixed with saliva, creating the paper-like texture that gives them their name.

I am just glad I found them before they found me. 😅 One wrong move a little closer and this photoshoot could have ended very differently.

Captured in Louisiana using the OM-1 Mark II paired with the Olympus 50-200mm f/2.8.

Camera Settings:
200mm • f/3.2 • 1/250s • ISO 200 • RAW

For more information on the Guinea Wasp. : https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/133791-Polistes-exclamans

CHURD Photography
Exploring the hidden engineering of the natural world.

05/21/2026

Spicebush Swallowtail enjoying a quiet Louisiana afternoon among the blooms. The deep blues and soft light on this butterfly caught my attention immediately, and I was able to capture this moment just before it moved on through the garden.

One of the things I enjoy most about wildlife photography is slowing down long enough to notice the small details that are usually missed in everyday life.

Captured in Southwest Louisiana with the OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II and the legendary Olympus 50-200mm f/2.8 lens.

📸 Camera Specs:
• Camera: OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II
• Lens: Olympus 50-200mm f/2.8
• Focal Length: 200mm
• Aperture: f/4
• Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec
• ISO: 200
• Exposure Compensation: +0.7 EV

05/21/2026

I’m excited to officially share the CHURD Photography print store!

A collection of my wildlife, bird, and nature photography from Southwest Louisiana is now available for viewing and print purchase online. From quiet marsh moments to birds in flight, these are some of my favorite captures from the outdoors.

Support from print purchases helps fund future photography trips to wildlife refuges, nature trails, and outdoor locations so I can continue capturing and sharing the beauty of Louisiana’s wildlife and natural landscapes.

In the future, one of my goals is to use this platform to help support Veteran outreach and Breast Cancer awareness efforts.

Link to buy prints. There are many options along with framing.
https://churdphotography.picfair.com/

Thank you to everyone supporting my photography journey. More images and galleries will continue to be added over time.

Any questions or comments please feel free to reach out.

Christopher 's photography store - buy prints, or license images for editorial, commercial or advertising use.

05/19/2026

A little backyard visitor stopped long enough for a portrait session. Tree frogs are incredible climbers thanks to the sticky pads on their toes, allowing them to grip smooth surfaces like glass, leaves, and even patio furniture with ease. Their bright green coloration also helps them blend into vegetation during the day while staying active around lights at night hunting insects. 🐸

Frogs do not have outside ears like mammals. Instead, sound vibrations hit that tympanum and travel directly to the inner ear. On many tree frogs, the tympanum is very visible and often looks like a circular patch or “button” behind the eye.

Fun fact: In many frog species, the size of the tympanum compared to the eye can help identify males versus females or even help identify the species.

This shot was captured with the OM-1 Mark II paired with the Olympus 50-200mm f/2.8 at 200mm. Shot in RAW at ISO 200, f/3.2, 1/250s with a shallow depth of field to isolate the frog and bring out the texture and detail in the eyes and skin. The close working distance and compression from the lens really helped create that soft background and macro-style look.

CHURD Photography
Capturing the wildlife details most people walk right past.

05/17/2026

Sometimes nature throws a curveball. This House Finch male showed unusually warm orange coloration instead of the deeper red most people expect to see. Also female with him. Diet, genetics, and seasonal changes can all influence the shades these birds display.

For more information on unusual finch coloration and variations, check out the article below from Feeder Watch:

https://feederwatch.org/community/participant-photos/oddly-colored-house-finch/

House Fitch Songs: https://youtu.be/hdSKghRem4A?si=EK84lVjxYYZvAUDK

Shot on the OM-1 Mark II with the OM 50-200mm f/2.8 ISO 200 1/200 sec

CHURD Photography 📸

05/16/2026

Spicebush Swallowtail • Moss Bluff, Louisiana

Captured with the OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II and Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8-3.5 SWD

200mm • f/11 • 1/2000 sec • ISO 5000 • +0.3 EV
20 MP JPEG | 5184 × 3888

Learn more about the Spicebush Swallowtail:

Gardenia Butterfly Guide
https://www.gardenia.net/guide/spicebush-swallowtail