Welcome to Up Close and Personal: A Photographer’s Guide.
One thing about photographing the Osa Peninsula is that everything is up close and personal.. In this Osa Peninsula photography guide, I’m sharing my local knowledge from living here for 14 years.”
17 years ago, I was leading a photography tour when we drove down to the Osa Peninsula, and I knew I had found the place I wanted to live. As the saying goes, the rest is history!
Your gear,
What to bring? On the Osa Peninsula, all the animals are up close and personal. It still amazes me that you can be walking and see monkeys 10 feet away. Then there are the birds. Right now, as I am writing this post, there are two Scarlet Macaws in my almond tree, 15 feet away from me.
If you have two camera bodies, bring them. Extra batteries, extra battery chargers, extra cards, for lenses, I would recommend a prime lens. A 300mm 2.8 and a 210 mm 2.8.
You might be wondering why prime lenses. Zoom lens on the Osa Peninsula might get fungi in the lens. There is a lot of mold and fungi on the Osa Peninsula. Having a prime lens will keep the mold and fungi from getting into your lens,
Zoom lenses are great, but they are not sealed like a prime lens. The last thing you need is getting your lens full of mold and fungi.
Heaven forbid you get fungi and mold on your sensor. Why two camera bodies, once again mold and fungi. If you only have one camera body, do not change out one lens for another lens outside. you might get mold and fungi in your lens and camera body.
Humidity is another problem. It creates the perfect environment for mold and fungi. Having a prime lens attached to your camera body ensures it from getting contaminated.
Fogging lens
If you are staying in a air condition room or a car. When you step outside, your lens and camera body will get fogged up. which creates moisture in your system.
Your aperture in your lens is made out of small steel plates that open and close. Moisture will corrode them. Yes, I have had all of the above problems.
Keep you gear warm
When you are in your hotel room, wrap your gear in a big towel and keep it away from the air conditioning. In the morning, put it outside so it can adjust to the temperature. In the field, try not to use air conditioning; keep your windows rolled down.
Camera settings
Camera settings are a compromise. You have ISO, shutter speed, and aperture.
Corcovado Park.
Corcovado Park is low light. Shooting under the canopy, ISO has to be increased to have a shutter speed of 250 second. Have your aperture open up wide.
Focus settings
Being in the jungle for the most part. Setting your focus meter to spot focus is best. There might be branches or something in front of your subject matter. Focus on the eyes; if the eyes are in focus and there is some blur, it shows movement, which is good.
Best places to see wildlife.
Not all wildlife is in Corcovado Park. For scarlet macaws, you can hear them along with toucans. Waking up before the sun comes up, yeah, I know, but you can take an afternoon nap. Just walking on the beach road in Puerto Jimenez, you will see all types of bird life.
Scarlet Macaws love beach almond trees. They eat the nuts, and there are a lot around Puerto Jimenez. Walk to the new dock on the right-hand side. There is a row of almond trees. A good friend of mine planted them.
My favorite spots
Ok, only take photos, leave only footprints!!
Sandalo Beach.
This is my favorite beach, and I live in the small barrio of Sandalo. I have my kayaks on the beach and sometimes my fishing panga. Early morning is the best time to be there, like 5 am. There are howler monkeys, white-faced monkeys, and spider monkeys.
Scarlet Macaws, egrets, Great Blue Heron, plus a variety of smaller birds.
Aguas beach
Aguas Beach has a family of white-faced monkeys. Go all the way down to the beach and go to the right. You will see a grassy area, and they will be right past it.
Playa Blanco
Playa Blanco will have a lot of Scarlet macaws, plus there is a great beach restaurant that serves great Grilled snapper.
Tamales Beach
Tamales Beach is on the way to Cabo Matapalo. It has a group of small Beach almond trees that sometimes have a lot of Scarlet Macaws.
Cabo Matapalo
Cabo Matapalo is a great day trip. On the beach, you might see Scarlet Macaws, plus other wildlife. Make sure you stop at Martinez world famous Bar and restaurant for a cold drink and lunch.
The best sunrises
I know it’s early, but worth it. Go to the new dock to capture the sun right in the middle of the sweet gulf.
“I hope this Osa Peninsula photography guide helps you find the perfect shot at these locations.”
We all hope you enjoy your time on the Osa Peninsula a place we call home
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