Summary

In this episode, Ron Hayes and Jason Loftus are joined by fellow photographer Kelly Elmer to recount a recent trip to Costa Rica to photograph the diverse wildlife. Kelly and Jason planned the trip to visit different ecosystems and worked with a local contact to arrange their itinerary. They experienced a wide range of biodiversity, from toucans and macaws to vultures and bats. The trip included jungle walks with a guide who helped them spot and photograph various species, including the spectacled owl. Kelly primarily used a 600mm prime lens and a 400mm lens, while Jason used similar setups with Canon gear. They also brought macro lenses for photographing frogs and snakes and talked about their experiences photographing other wildlife like sloths and monkeys. They also mention the challenges and rewards of bird photography in Costa Rica. Overall, they had a great time and captured some amazing shots of the diverse wildlife in the country.

Takeaways

Costa Rica offers a diverse range of ecosystems and abundant biodiversity for wildlife photography.

Working with a local contact can help plan and arrange a trip to visit different areas and maximize photography opportunities.

Jungle walks with a knowledgeable guide can lead to unique sightings and photo opportunities.

Having a variety of camera gear, including long lenses and macro lenses, is essential for capturing different species and details.

Being prepared for the weather and conditions, such as humidity and rain, is important for a successful photography trip. Costa Rica offers a diverse range of wildlife photography opportunities

Photographing reptiles, such as snakes and frogs, can be challenging but rewarding

Bird photography in Costa Rica is particularly exciting due to the variety of colorful species

Having a knowledgeable guide can greatly enhance the photography experience

Seeing rare and elusive species in the wild is a thrilling experience

Sound Bites

"Every bird that flies by is just packed with color."

"It was a highlight. And in fact, there was a guy we met there, became friends with."

"We had to go mechanical shutter and you had to go single shot. So we're just trying to as fast as we can to get the timing right."

"We shot a boa, which was the largest of the snakes"

"Sloths only come out of the treetops once a month to use the bathroom"

"Watching the monkeys grab leaves and hang by their tails was incredible"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview

06:31 Planning the Trip and Contacting Local Guides

26:08 Highlights and Species Encountered

34:05 Encountering Sloths in the Wild

41:23 The Beauty of Bird Photography in Costa Rica

50:32 The Importance of Knowledgeable Guides