Costa Rica 2013

So my wife and I enjoyed Costa Rica enough last year that we went back this year for our vacation. Same country, different areas. Costa Rica is a great place and very photogenic. I've just started post-processing the photos and am thinking I will post the pics I like the most in this thread.

So, to get started: sun, sunrise and sunset pictures:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8525/8...9aa16479_b.jpg
small-0660 by kayaker72, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8383/8...441d1873_b.jpg
small-0677 by kayaker72, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8101/8...40049193_b.jpg
small-0838 by kayaker72, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8505/8...fa47dd91_b.jpg
small-0978 by kayaker72, on Flickr

Thanks for viewing.....Brant

I'm jealous, not only because of the gorgeous scenery, but because the weather. Looks like we'll be in the 50s most of this week though, time to go on some shooting adventures.

Great shots by the way!

Beautiful Brant! Keep 'em coming.

Great sunsets Brant.

I've known lots of folks who have vacationed in Costa Rica and not one of them has ever had anything remotely negative to say about it. I really need to get there one day. Great pics like these tend to move it up on my vacation spot list.

Got more?

Thanks Guys, glad you like the photos. Mark, let me know if you ever want to travel there. It is one of the better vacation spots I've gone too.

So, there was a Frog Pond in Monteverde. I went during the day and it was nice, maybe a little underwhelming. But they told us the admission also got us in for the night tour so we came back. The night tour was great, although I was definitely pushing the high ISO capabilities of the 5DIII.

A few pics:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8394/8...3a92bc5e_b.jpg
small-1562 by kayaker72, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8...4925bc8b_b.jpg
small-1769 by kayaker72, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8266/8...30408aa8_b.jpg
small-1813 by kayaker72, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8534/8...f24392f5_b.jpg
small-1969 by kayaker72, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8265/8...6669c1d9_b.jpg
small-2002 by kayaker72, on Flickr

Thanks for viewing....Brant

Brant:

Very cool. The last one is great.

Pat

Considering I am living in New Hampshire and we have 1 species of hummingbird, Costa Rica is awash...something like 250 species of hummingbirds with some 50 living in the Monteverde area.

A few more pictures.....

I believe this is a Green Crowned Brilliant:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8248/8...6782131e_b.jpg
small-2016 by kayaker72, on Flickr

Coppery-Headed Emerald:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8251/8...135cc5a2_b.jpg
small-2239 by kayaker72, on Flickr

Violet Sabrewing:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8106/8...10210270_b.jpg
small-2344 by kayaker72, on Flickr

I believe a Purple-Throated Mountain Gem:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8392/8...59134302_b.jpg
small-2359 by kayaker72, on Flickr

Thanks for viewing all the photos from the vacation. I feel like I should be making popcorn for everyone or something. One or two more posts and I should be through most of the interesting photos.

Thanks for viewing....Brant

Very cool. Each post moves CR up on my vacation spot list.

I'd probably drive Wifey nuts with all the photo grabbing, though. :p

Brant, thanks for sharing these. Hopefully we can get back there soon!

Thanks Mark and Brian. Last year we did Arenal and Jaco/Manuel Antonio. This year we went to the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula (Between Tambor and Montezuma) and Monteverde. BTW, Mark, as usual, it is about the balance....swim up bar beach or hot springs = no camera = happy wife vs national park/wildlife preserve/sunrise/sunset = camera.

But I am also posting to mention that C&Cs are welcome. I don't often mention that as much as I used too, but I am always trying to get better and people on this forum often see things I don't.

Thanks,
Brant

Great series Brant, looks like a beautiful place. I really like the driftwood sunset shot and that last froggy shot.

Thanks Steve.

Have a few more processed. These were taken in the low-land/dry subtropical forest area around Tambor and the Curu Wildlife Refuge.

Frigate Bird:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8386/8...97c64e42_b.jpg
small-2281 by kayaker72, on Flickr

Brown Pelicans:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8116/8...d673838c_b.jpg
small-2490 by kayaker72, on Flickr

Tricolored Heron:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8263/8...b951e2fc_b.jpg
small-2573 by kayaker72, on Flickr

Black Headed Trogon:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8545/8...a5b56e3b_b.jpg
small-2609 by kayaker72, on Flickr

Bare Throated Tiger Heron:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8522/8...5d2f6a2a_b.jpg
small-2644 by kayaker72, on Flickr

Turquoise Browed Motmot
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8529/8...47d2d65b_b.jpg
small-2721 by kayaker72, on Flickr

C&C's welcome...thanks for viewing....
Brant

Hey Brant,

Just got word that my father will be hosting the whole family for a Costa Rica trip in December. We will be staying in Playa Hermosa in the Guanacaste region. Needless to say I'm pretty excited.

I have a 6D and 7D and the following lenses: 24-105, 40, 85 1.8, 100L macro, and 70-300L. I also have a CPL and 10 stop ND filter, tripod, 480ex II and a better Beamer.

1. What should I bring?
2. Is 300mm long enough?
3. If you've been to that part of the country, suggestions for must see places?

Thanks!
Brian

Brian,

That is awesome. That is a part of Costa Rica I haven't been too, but we have looked into it. Before thinking of the gear you are going to take, you should consider your plans. There is likely some estuary/river wildlife cruises in the area. Also, not far are the Santa Rosa National Park, which is supposed to be great for birds and monkeys, as well as the Ricon volcano, which is famous for a "blue" waterfall/lagoon.

But there are also a lot of resorts and all-inclusives in that area, so it all depends on what you'll be doing. But my basic kit on this last trip was the 24-105L, 100-400L and 100L macro. And I only used the macro for the frogs. You likely could get by with a basic kit of the 24-105 and your 70-300L. I'd be tempted to get a graduated ND filter if you intend to photograph sunsets, which you'll be in great position to do.

Feel free to PM me.

Glad to hear about your trip.
Brant

Brian....three more quick thoughts...1) the high ISO performance of the 6D may make it a better wildlife camera in the forests. Not much light gets in there. 2) Pay attention to when turtles are laying their eggs. It varies from place to place, but my general understanding is that it is ~June-~December depending upon where you are. That is one of the things I want to see next. 3) We've really gotten a lot of use out of "Frommer's Costa Rica Day by Day." It highlights the top things to do, places to stay and eat. Been our go to book.

Ok. I haven't processed many Costa Rica shots as I've been too busy with shots of my new neice :cool:.

But I finally got around to picking a few of the birds of the Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forests. So my surprisingly not sponsored by the Costa Rica Tourism Board posts continue.....

"The" bird to see in the cloud forests is the Resplendent Quetzal. We were lucky enough to see 2 males and 1 female over two days of hikes.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8117/8...f34800f0_b.jpg
small-2423 (2) by kayaker72, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8106/8...9240739f_b.jpg
small-2418 by kayaker72, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8116/8...058a847e_b.jpg
small-1410 by kayaker72, on Flickr

Collared Trogon...we were told the Collared Trogon isn't supposed to be in the the Santa Elena Cloud Forest. But the photo doesn't lie...
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8101/8...2b59bbf5_b.jpg
small-2032 by kayaker72, on Flickr

Orange Bellied Trogon
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8102/8...2ecea45d_b.jpg
small-1280 by kayaker72, on Flickr

Roadside Hawk
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8121/8...d24ac3c4_b.jpg
small-1258 by kayaker72, on Flickr

Little Birds...I haven't been able to find them in a book or online:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8105/8...591ef54c_b.jpg
small-2200 by kayaker72, on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8113/8...0e33b970_b.jpg
small-2191 by kayaker72, on Flickr

A Brown-Hooded Parrot:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8106/8...95230999_b.jpg
small-2558 by kayaker72, on Flickr

Thanks for viewing...there are a few more on flickr if you are interested....

Brant