Non UK Costa Rica

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nc_killie

POTY (Joint) 2016
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John
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Thinking about going to Costa Rica for bird photography - does anyone have any recommendations about guides, companies etc

Thanks in advance

John
 
Cotinga Tours do birding tours, not specifically for photographers but I managed 250 species over 16 days...

Savegre (for the Quetzals), Carara National Park (Scarlet Macaws), Arenal Observatory, Guancanate National park, Sarapiqui (Scarlet macaws) and Tortuguero (for turtles etc)....

Cotinga have fantastic guides and although some UK firms use them I suggest going direct especially if you know already how to photograph them...
 
robinsslee said:
Registering my interests for bird photography information for Costa Rica. I know some resorts provide feeding station that attracts many birds.
Click to expand...

Most have humming bird feeders, while others have stations for larger birds (including honeycreepers, euphonias and tanagers plus more) e.g Arenal Observatory Lodge. But some of the more exotic species such as the Quetzal, the Trogons or manakins have to be looked for...

There are some trips advertised where photo opportunities are set up for Hummers and frogs, but I am not personally keen on them.
 
Hi John....we visited Costa Rica a few weeks ago and largely self drove / guided.
- it's a pretty simple country to navigate so long as you have a good (Toyota!) 4x4.

A few images here. Happy to provide locations if you are interested?

www.talkphotography.co.uk

White Throated Mountain Gems

These little birds kept me amused whilst waiting for Resplendent Quetzals
www.talkphotography.co.uk www.talkphotography.co.uk

www.talkphotography.co.uk

Resplendent Quetzal

We have recently returned from Costa Rica. Whilst primarily a road (and river!) trip with friends, I was keen to see and photograph Quetzal's and Tamandua's (more of them another day!) We spent a few nights in the San Gerado de Dota region. It was early in the nesting season when we visited...
www.talkphotography.co.uk www.talkphotography.co.uk

www.talkphotography.co.uk

Stick bird on a stick...with a youngster!

Known locally as 'Stick Birds' for obvious reasons, I was happy to find this female Common Potoo doing what Potoo's do during the daytime, but with a youngster who hadn't quite got the hang of 'making like a stick' nor keeping their eyes closed!
www.talkphotography.co.uk www.talkphotography.co.uk

www.talkphotography.co.uk

Scarlet Macaws

We rented a house high on a promontory overlooking the Pacific in Costa Rica. There was a fruiting shrub in the garden which was popular with Scarlet Macaw's who proved to be extremely noisy, but very entertaining neighbours. Coming in to land: A couple more for luck:
www.talkphotography.co.uk www.talkphotography.co.uk

www.talkphotography.co.uk

Creatures of the night

Whilst in Costa Rica, I spent some time exploring the pristine forests adjacent to the Sierpe estuary after sunset...rather than start multiple threads, I'll just update this one with (hopefully!) interesting photo's as I work through my memory cards. Giant Owl Butterfy (Caligo illioneus) resting:
www.talkphotography.co.uk www.talkphotography.co.uk
 
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I was in Costa Rica in March. I would plan on several locations spending a few days at each one. That's because the ecosystems and species vary by region. I had howler monkeys in the Osa peninsula, scarlet macaws in the mid-Pacific, and a quetzal in Monteverde. Some ecolodges are in or near wild areas that allow one to go photographing on foot. Many offer tours (at cost or sometimes included) to nearby parks. One has to do quite a bit of research to learn about all the options.

R7_C8084 Slate-throated Whitestart-Enhanced-NR.jpg

Slate-throated Whitestart, Monteverde
 
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If you are flexible with timings - and assuming that you are not only interested in birds - try to go when you can see turtles emerging. I think costs go up around the US thanksgiving.
 
Coincidentally I had an Email from "Natures Lens " a couple of days ago saying that space had become available on their Costa Rica workshop at the end of the year. It may be worth a look as they are offering a discount.
 
My wife and I went in 2020 with Exodus. Not the cheapest of trips, but really excellent.

During Covid lockdown, I built a website to share with our group.
sites.google.com

OurPuraVida

Trip
sites.google.com sites.google.com
 
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