Costa Rica and the Osa Peninsula: A Wonderland for the Wildlife Photographer
Few places in the world will bring you so close to seldom-seen and endangered animals, such as the elusive jaguar and the Baird’s tapir, as a photography adventure in the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica. The jungle is filled with the striking colors of macaws, toucans, hummingbirds and an amazing range of additional birdlife. Howler, spider and other New World monkeys inhabit the treetops and reveal their unique behaviors and interactions to the patient photographer.
Because of the isolation and pristine conditions of the Osa Peninsula, it is the nesting site of four species of sea turtles, including olive ridleys, green turtles, hawksbill and leatherbacks. You’re more likely to find olive ridleys as they dominate the turtle population. With the right guide, you and your camera will be able to enter the secluded world of the many frogs in the area. Many of them are extremely colorful and offer any number of close-up opportunities.
Much of the Osa Peninsula is protected within the large area of the Corcovado National Park, preserving a landscape that is an amazing photographic subject in its own right. Here are wild mountain waterfalls framed by one of the tallest rainforests in the world. The lush vegetation presents an almost overwhelming palette of natural scenes that are complemented by unique shapes, textures and colorations, which are only visible when you move in close.
The Osa Peninsula is not a resort area, so it’s not only populated with an amazing array of animals, but also quiet villages and friendly locals. You’re also apt to meet a unique collection of people from throughout the world that have been attracted to this place of beauty and contrasts and by local tales and legends reminiscent of a Joseph Conrad novel or tropical adventure stories.
You can be one of just 10 photographers who will not only experience the wonders of the Osa Peninsula, but also learn during a weeklong workshop with highly awarded environmental photographer Daniel Beltrá and professional landscape and nature photographer and co-founder of Visionary Wild Justin Black. Visionary Wild has created an outstanding reputation at the pinnacle of photography expeditions to some of the world’s wildest places and workshops from some of the world’s finest and most honored photographers.
The Osa Peninsula expedition of late 2012 proved to be such a successful learning experience for the photographers who traveled there that Visionary Wild has scheduled a repeat visit for November 30–December 7, 2013.
As with most Visionary Wild expeditions, the accommodations and service are excellent, so you can concentrate on photography. With just 10 photographers on this trip, each will receive hands-on demonstrations, one-on-one guidance and the camaraderie of evening sessions. Photographers will share their work of the day, provide critiques and comments and be prepared to take what they’ve learned into the field the next day. Daniel and Justin will also explain digital workflow techniques specifically for the photographer in this kind of shooting environment.
Every Visionary Wild expedition and workshop’s limited spaces are filled quickly, so if this is the year you want to advance your photography skills and visit one of the world’s great wild places, then you should book your trip to the Osa Peninsula today.
For more information and to reserve your space, please click here for the Visionary Wild Website.
Photo copyright Justin Black
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