Episode 11
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
Thanks for listening to another episode of Beyond the Wild Podcast.To see more of our show and to watch the hosts, as well as the photos and videos that they discuss, tune into their Beyond the Wild Podcast YouTube channel.
Make sure to subscribe to be notified of upcoming episodes for your listening and viewing enjoyment!
Beyond the Wild Podcast is sponsored by Pictureline.com and Canon USA.
