Glenn's Nature Photography Blog

Greetings everyone! I have just returned from a great month down in Costa Rica leading a few photography workshops. We had some really nice opportunities throughout the tours and many wonderful images were made. Costa Rica is one of those countries that is just so pleasant to visit. I could go back over and over again and never get tired. Especially of the Resplendent Quetzal!!

Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno)

Both trips started in the lowlands of the Caribbean slope. We spent three nights at a great rainforest retreat trying to photograph all kinds of fascinating subject matter. From poison frogs, to toucans, to strange insects there was lots to keep us all busy.

Green and Black Poison Dart Frog

Strawberry Poison Dart Frog

Red-eyed Tree Frog

Basalisk Lizard

Moss Like Stick Insect

Chestnut-mandibled Toucan (Ramphastos swainsonii)

During one of the days we took a short trip down the road to a new spot for feeder set ups. As much as I love the challenge of rainforest photography I always love a good opportunity to “set up” a shot. Selecting a good perch, background and just the right amount of fill flash allowed us all to get some sweet shots!

Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza)

Crimson-collared Tanager

Red-legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus)

Each of the two trips that I led this year had slightly different itineraries from here. On one group we traveled up hill toward a great little lodge in the higher country. Here we focused our efforts on the amazing variety of hummingbirds at this elevation. We did a lot of multi-flash hummingbird photography and came away with some really nice results.

Green-crowned Brilliant (Heliodoxa jacula)

Green Thorntail (Discosura conversii)

Violet Sabrewing (Campylopterus hemileucurus)

When I saw a few Chestnut-capped Brush Finches lurking around the lodge I couldn’t help resist setting up a nice mossy perch for them

Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch ( Atlapetes brunneinucha)

From thius lodge we travelled even further up in elevation to the Cerro de la Muerte region. For my other group this was the second stop that we made. On both groups we made a great stop off at a spot I know for Fiery-throated Hummingbirds along the way. They performed flawlessly!

Fiery-throated Hummingbird (Panterpe insignis)

Of course the star of the show in this area is always the Resplendent Quetzal. The magnificence of this bird can simply not be over-stated. They are without question one of the most beautiful birds in the world. Over the course of the time taht my two groups were in the area we witnessed amazing natural history events in the life of the Quetzal. We saw the birds building nest cavities, feeding young and even saw the baby Quetzal on its first day out of the nest. Just incredible!!

Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno)

Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno)

Other birds around the area were also fun to find and photograph. This valley is just such a cool place to spend a few days out exploring nature. I can hardly wait to go back next year

Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)

Flame-colored Tanager (Piranga bidentata)

Magnificent Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens)

Long-tailed Silky Flycatcher (Ptilogonys caudatus)

After leaving the Quetzal behind the final stop for my first tour was in the foothills of the Caribbean slope. This area is famous for some really stunning little hummingbirds including the Snowcap.

Snowcap (Microchera albocoronata)

Also in this area we spent a few afternoons doing some very productive multi-flash hummingbird photography and had some good luck at the fruit feeders. Add in a day trip to a nearby lagoon and we had loads to keep up busy clicking away.

Green-breasted Mango (Anthracothorax prevostii)

Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius)

Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa)

Violet-crowned Woodnymph (Thalurania columbica)

Overall I would say that both trips were a huge success. Everyone came away with lots of nice images, new techniques and a few new friends. What more can you ask for on a photo vacation?

Happy group #1 at a wetland area

Happy group #2 up in the highlands

After the trips were over I stayed on for a few days to go shooting with my friend Greg Basco. Greg helped me lead the second tour and we are going to be leading another trip together next year. We wanted to go scouting for some new locations and found a fantastic spot up in the dry northwest part of the country. The lodge has some real gems hanging about like the Turquoise-browed Motmot, Cinnamon Hummingbird and at night a pair of Black and White Owls. Add in a trip or two to a nearby river and this area is going to be a great addition to next years trip!

Cinnamon Hummingbird (Amazilia rutila)

Turquoise-browed Motmot (Eumomota superciliosa)

Black-and-white Owl (Strix nigrolineata)

If you think you might like to join me in Costa Rica next year be sure to send me an email as soon as possible.

Here are a few things that this years participants had to say about our Costa Rica Photo Workshop together:

” I signed up for this workshop because I’ve been very impressed by Glenn’s website images, and wanted to learn his techniques for achieving such beautiful shots. From perching bird setups to hummingbirds with flowers, and even birds in flight and amphibians on mossy settings, I was very pleased with what I learned. Glenn is unique in his approach to photography workshops, in that he focuses on teaching and the participant, and rarely brought his own camera to a shoot. His constant feedback and advice made for both good images and good learning, and I returned with both. The workshop was well thought-out, with opportunities to experience quite a variety of nature photography techniques – macro, setups, flight, scenics. My initial focus was pretty narrow, and this helped expand my interests and approaches. I found both Glenn and Greg to be very supportive teachers, who have a common approach to most photographic situations, and work very well together. The sites we went to had been well scouted, the lodges were comfortable, the food was good, and our group was very congenial. I’d be happy to take another trip with Glenn.”

Bob L, 2012

” Simply one of the best photography workshops I have ever participated in. Not only was it extremely enjoyable but it was by far the most productive workshop I have taken in terms of the number of quality images that I was able to make. This was a result of the prime locations and/or special perch set-ups that Glenn arranged and that afforded us such extraordinary photo opportunities. During our workshop, most of his time was spent helping clients and not photographing. He is an exemplary teacher and focused his efforts on providing clients with the knowledge and opportunity to take their photography to the next level. Glenn is an extremely knowledgeable naturalist, birder, and gifted photographer whose expertise in tropical bird photography in Central and South America is unrivaled. He has spent extensive time travelling and photographing in various countries including Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, etc and speaks fluent Spanish. There are any number of photographers who have little experience in Costa Rica but will ‘take you there’. However, their knowledge and understanding of the country and its wildlife is as limited as their clients. Glenn is a consummate professional who is simply a pleasure to travel with and to learn from. Just a terrific experience.”

Keith K, 2012

” This was my second trip with Glenn. I had a great time with him and our small group in Ecuador last year and decided to sign on for his Costa Rica workshop this year. I can only say that I have not only no regrets but plan to be on his Peru workshop next year. The trip was a resounding success. We visited three well situated lodges with distinct ecologies and diverse bird life. The excursions from the lodges to well-chosen nearby locations that offered excellent photo ops were especially enriching and enjoyable. Some of my best pictures are from these sites, although the areas around the lodges also offered great opportunities to photograph not only birds but also frogs, mammals, and reptiles. Glenn knows a lot about photography and birds but kept his knowledge in reserve until called upon by any of us. He offered hands-on workshops on photo processing for those who were interested and patiently explained repeatedly the proper settings of flash from multi-flash rigs to fill-in flash. I especially appreciated his help in the framing and composition of shots and his insistence on a pleasing diffused background. I feel my pictures improved during this trip. Although photography is obviously an important part of these workshops, for me the most attractive feature is the fact that Glenn has scouted the tropics for me and put together an experience that, if I had to acquire it on my own, would take me months of trial and error. In 11 short days I was able to enjoy a highly concentrated menu of what Costa Rica has to offer. Thanks, Glenn. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Last, but not least, our experience was enhanced considerably by our Costa Rican driver, guide, and fellow photographer Jose who through his deep knowledge and generosity became a personal friend to all of us. We hated to say goodbye.”

Manfred K, 2012

Be sure to email me if you think you might be interested in my 2013 workshops to Costa Rica.

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The new Canon 5D mk III is here. The key stats are:

• 22.3 Megapixel full-frame sensor
• 61-point autofocus
• Up to 6fps continuous shooting
• Native ISO 100-25,600 sensitivity
• Full HD video with manual control
• 14-bit DIGIC 5+ processor
• Enhanced Weather sealing
• 8.11cm (3.2-inch) 1,040,000-dot screen

It seems like it will be a wonderful camera for photojournalists, wedding photographers and most certainly for cinematographers (perhaps the true intended target market). I guess what is troubling me with the direction of Canon’s recent releases is that both have been full frame cameras (The 1DX and 5D mk III). So where does that leave us bird photographers? I do applaud Canon for keeping the megapixel count down on both of the recent releases. This should yield real world improvements in image quality in images shot at higher ISO speeds. Nevertheless, moving from a 7D with a 500mm and 1.4x to one of these cameras would yield an incredible loss of effective focal length.

Remembering that effective focal length is a function of the squared focal length of the lens the calculations would look something like this:

• Canon 7D + 1.4x + 500mm = Effective focal length – 1120mm (squared = 1254400mm)
• Canon 1DX + 1.4x + 500mm = Effective focal length – 700mm (squared = 490000mm)
• Therefore the difference in the squared focal length is = 1254400 – 490000 = 764400
• And the resulting image would be = 764400/490000 = 156% bigger in the frame.

A HUGE Difference when photographing birds!!!

We will have to wait and see if Canon replaces the 7D in the upcoming months. Perhaps at Photokina in September? But if a new crop body is not released in the next year there are some big decisions for Canon photographers to make. The way I see it there are basically two options for bird photographers.

Option #1 – Buy a 1D mk IV and the new Canon 600mm lens. This would be an expensive proposition but would maintain (1092mm) the majority of the needed focal length for successful bird photography.

Option #2 – Switch to Nikon and hope that they continue to lead the way when it comes to camera bodies in the years to come.
At this point I am really hoping that Canon steps up with a good replacement for the 7D. I hate tough decisions!!
A wish list for the new 7D:

• Keep the megapixel count the same or even lower
• Show me at least a 1 stop improvement in ISO performance
• Full time auto focus for Video
• Dual CF slots
• Continue to improve build quality and weather sealing

Don’t let me down Canon!

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I have just returned from a wonderful month leading two photo workshops in the incredibly bird-rich nation of Ecuador. This was my third visit to Ecuador and despite the fact that I have now spent more than 8 months in the beautiful Andean nation the bird life continues to amaze me.

After meeting in Quito, each tour started in the northwest part of the country where we focused our efforts on the amazing diversity of hummingbirds. Our first stop was a high elevation cloud forest reserve where we found some beautiful hummingbirds to start the trip including the Great Sapphirewing and Sapphire-vented Puffleg. The reserve was even feeding a Rufous Antpitta!

 Great Sapphirewing

Sapphire-vented Puffleg

Rufous Antpitta

By the time the trip was over most of the participants had photographed over 30 species of the tiny flying jewels known as hummingbirds (including Booted Rackettail’s, Buff-tailed Coronet’s and Violet-tailed Sylph’s as seen below).

Booted Rackettail

Buff-tailed Coronet

Violet-tailed Sylph

From our base in the Tandayapa Valley we made a few day trips to visit nearby photography hot-spots. We even managed photos of some really tough species like the Toucan Barbet (see below). Everyone also got fantastic shots of the gorgeous Masked Trogon.  But above all else we focused on photographing hummingbirds using my patented multi-flash techniques (including the beautiful Andean Emerald and Purple-bibbed White-Tip seen below).

Toucan Barbet

Masked Trogon

Andean Emerald

Purple-bibbed White-Tip

Our next stop was the famous Mindo area where we spent some time photographing one of my favourite Ecuadorian Hummingbirds – the Velvet-purple Coronet (seen below balancing on a branch) . We also got some great looks at a few beautiful Tanagers (such as the Golden-naped Tanager and Fawn-breasted Tanager (seen below) and had an incredible encounter with a group of lekking Club-winged Manakins (see below). Day trips to a Butterfly Garden and to a local Cloud Forest Reserve rounded out our time in the northwest.

Velvet-purple Coronet

Golden-naped Tanager

Fawn-breasted Tanager

Club-winged Manakin

After a drive across the central valley and up and over the Papallacta Pass (where on one of the trips we had spectacular views of the Antisana Volcano) we arrived at our third lodge of the trip. From Sword-billed Hummingbirds to Torrent Ducks and from Rufous-bellied Seedsnipes to Turquoise Jays it was hard to know where to point our lenses.

Sword-billed Hummingbird

Torrent Duck

Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe

Turquoise Jays

Other highlight birds during our time on the East slope included the stunning Ecuadorian Hillstar and the cute little Tawny Antpitta. During our stay on the east slope we also enjoyed some of the best food in Ecuador. The soups especially were to die for!

Ecuadorian Hillstar

Tawny Antpitta

Hummingbird dessert

Our final stop on the regular portion of the tour was a little bit further down the eastern slope. Here we were in for a real treat (and what was my favourite bird from the trip) the Black-banded Owl (see below). We also got great photo opportunities for Crimson-mantled Woodpeckers, Inca Jays, Golden-headed Quetzals and the cute little White-bellied Antpitta.

Black-banded Owl

Inca Jay

White-bellied Antpitta

After 4 spectacular days on the East Slope we traveled back to Quito for the night. The following day those of us who continued on the trip extension took a short 30 minute flight into the Ecuadorian lowlands and prepared to travel into the Amazon Rainforest. We then took a boat nearly 100km down river deep into the jungle. After a few hours we arrived at our wonderful jungle lodge where we would spend the next 4 days.During our stay in the Amazon we had incredible opportunities to photograph 4 species of Kingfishers as well as crazy birds like Hoatzin’s, Donocobius, Macaws, Woodpeckers, Toucans and Aracaris, Owls and even Parrots that were coming to a local site to eat clay. It really was an amazing experience for us all.

Tropical Screech Owl

Common Paraque

Green and Rufous Kingfisher

Many-banded Aracari

Crimson-crested Woodpecker

Mealy Amazon Parrot

Eventually all good things must come to an end and we had to return to Quito to catch our flights home. It truly was a fantastic trip. But don’t take my word for it. Here are some of the things that a few of the participants had to say:

TESTIMONIALS – ECUADOR 2012

Glenn Bartley, is a charming, fit, and very pleasant young man with strong interpersonal skills and a lot of common sense.  Your enjoyment and satisfaction are his focus.  He has spent many months in South and Central America; he knows the birds, their habits and habitats, and where and how they can best be photographed.  His knowledge of cameras and photography, and his skills as a bird photographer are exceptional. He speaks excellent Spanish and interacts with the lodge owners and staff, driver, and guides with ease – just what you want in a foreign country when difficulties arise. Glenn applies his skills and wisdom to make sure you capture images you will be proud of. He is constantly monitoring your shooting position and set-up and will take corrective action when needed.  If you are having an argument with your gear, Glenn is there instantly to sort it out.  If you are having difficulty carrying your rig, Glenn will volunteer to carry it while you catch your breath.  Oh yes, his Spanish lessons are free!  G.F. 2012

Glenn, this was a fantastic trip. You are at once a skilled photographer, personable and competent leader and someone who feels like a friend. The workshop helped me to develop aspects of my photography that would be difficult to do any other way. Ecuadorwas fantastic and I am impressed with your knowledge of the birds, culture and language of the country. Your photographic skills were evident during all photographic settings and they were selflessly passed on if and when needed but were not obtrusive. Your trip planning was impeccable and certainly optimized our ability to capture images that we had only dreamed about. The trip found a perfect balance between overload and relaxation. The diversity of habitats visited was beyond my expectations. There were moments during the trip – like the early morning silent paddles in the Amazon tributaries – that will linger at the fore of my memories forever. D.B. 2012

Glenn is exceptionally knowledgeable about the country, the wildlife (especially birds)l and the nature photographic discipline.  He is also quite conversant with the computer software appropriate to that discipline.  He has a good rapport with the staff at the lodges and has done a good job of working out the organizational details.  For the most part, all the guest has to do is to show up and start shooting. B.H. 2012

My first trip with Glenn Bartley wast to Churchill last June. That was exceptional and I enjoyed Glenn’s knowledge, friendship and generally how he conducted his tour. As a result I had NO HESITATION joining his Ecuadortour. I was not dissapointed and all arrangements (transport, accomodation, lodges chosen for birds, food, guidance, etc.) were FIRST CLASS. I would not consider any other tour leader! K.C. 2012

Group #1 hanging out in the canopy tower…

Group #2 up in the highlands chasing Rufous-bellied Seedsnipes…

I will definitely be running this trip again in Jan/Feb of 2013. I will have dates available and will be taking deposits in the upcoming few weeks. If you are interested in reserving a space on the trip make sure to get in touch soon as I am certain that the 12 spaces available (2 tours) will sell out fast. Send me an email if you want to be put on the trips wish list.

TO JOIN THE WISH LIST FOR ECUADOR 2013 - CLICK HERE

***SPECIAL NOTE – I PUT MY CLIENTS NEEDS FIRST ON MY WORKSHOPS AND I SHOOT VERY LITTLE MYSELF. AS A RESULT MANY OF THE IMAGES ABOVE ARE FROM PREVIOUS TRIPS***

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2012 is officially here! The coming of a new year always forces us all to look back at the year that has come and gone. What a year 2011 has been! I am sitting here in a hotel in Quito exactly where I was one year ago and it is hard for me to believe that another year has passed by so quickly. I guess the old saying “time flies when you are having fun” rings pretty true here. It really has been a great year

As we enter 2012 I just wanted to send out a quick mailing to all of you who have taken the time to log on to my website, read my blog, watch my videos on youtube or join me on a photo workshop over the past year. I sincerely appreciate your support and encouragement and very much hope to see and hear from you all again soon.  I would like to wish you all nothing but the best in 2012.

As I said above 2011 has been an incredible year of nature photography. My travels took me to Ecuador, Costa Rica, through the interior of British Columbia, Ontario, Newfoundland, Churchill and Peru. Rather than post all of my favourites here I decided to make a gallery on my website instead.

To see the complete gallery of my best photos from 2011 - CLICK HERE

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3 MONTHS IN PERU – A BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY EXPEDITION

On the first of September I traveled from my home in Victoria, BC to Lima Peru for a 3 month bird photography expedition. My plan was to travel around the country in search of as many of the most beautiful and endemic birds that I could find.

Why Peru? The answer is simple. Peru is a country that is perhaps unsurpassed in terms of “quality” birds. While Columbia boasts a higher total number of species it is tough to beat Peru’s endemic birds like the Marvelous Spatuletail, Long-whiskered Owlet, Royal Sunangel and about 120 other birds that are found nowhere else on Earth except within the border of Peru.

My search for these birds took me from sea level to 4850m above sea level (ASL). From deserts, to lowland rainforests. From cloud forests to high elevation grasslands. And down many a bumpy road… I slept in towns where I swear no tourists had ever been. I slept in the back of my truck for two of the coldest wettest nights I can remember. I slept wherever I had to in order to be able to have a reasonable chance at photographing these birds. To me…it was all worth it… This is truly what I live for…

Cusco and Manu National Park

After a quick stopover in Lima I took an internal flight to the lovely city of Cusco. Cusco is a city full of culture and history and it makes a great base to visit several local ruins and cultural sites. Nearby there is a high elevation lake called Lago Huacarpay. It was here where I would begin my search for endemic birds.

Those of you that know me know that I love hummingbirds. One of the really special ones in Peru is called the Bearded Mountaineer. It is endemic to Peru and found only in a small area in the southeast. Huacarpay is definitely the best place to see it and it was a great start to the trip to find this beauty feeding on some Nicotina flowers near the lake. In addition to the Mountaineer, Lago Huacarpay produced a beautiful White-tufted Grebe and the strange looking Plumbeous Rail.

BEARDED MAOUNTAINEER

WHITE-TUFTED GREBE

PLUMBEOUS RAIL

Flipping through the field guide to the birds of Peru there was another hummingbird from this region that grabbed my attention. The White-tufted Sunbeam is a real stunner that is also endemic to Peru. I had to travel to the smaller town of Ollantaytambo and then commandeer a taxi for the day to take me up above the tree line (around 3600m ASL) in order to search for this member of the Trochilidae family. The first day I went up the wind was howling and I knew that there was no way I would get any photos. But I found where the birds lived and made a plan for the following morning. Returning up the hill the next day rewarded me with not only the Sunbeam but also another endemic – the Creamy-crested Spinetail.

WHITE-TUFTED SUNBEAM

CREAMY-CRESTED SPINETAIL

With these targets photographed it was time to start making my way into the jungle. I really wanted to spend some quality time in Manu National Park. After all, it is the most biologically diverse place on the planet! Imagine a single park with over 1000 species of birds. It is enough to make your head spin! I made a plan to spend the next 3 weeks in Manu and began to prepare for what was sure to be an amazing adventure.

What makes Manu National Park so diverse is the fact that the park covers elevations from approximately 3500m all the way down to sea level in the Amazonian lowlands. This kind of altitudinal gradient creates all kind of different habitats for plants, animals, insects and of course birds to thrive in. Getting the most out of Manu means spending time at various elevations because many of the birds have very specific habitat requirements.

Driving in to the park from Cusco was incredible. The windy road took me up and over a pass of about 4000m ASL and then began to descend toward the park entrance. Before long the grasslands faded from view and gave way to cloud-forest. Trees became larger and were covered with moss and bromeliads. Clouds rolled in from the lowlands below hiding much of what lay ahead beneath a mysterious veil.

After a lengthy drive I arrived at my first photo stop at an area around 1500m. I would spend the next 3 days searching this area for as many birds as I could find. This area turned out to be great for mixed species flocks and I saw some really stunning birds. Photographing them however was often a challenge. But over the three days I did have some really rewarding encounters. Perhaps most memorable was a visit to a very active lek for Andean Cock of the Rocks (Peru’s national bird).

ANDEAN COCK OF THE ROCK

CRESTED QUETZAL

BLUE-NAPED CHLOROPHONIA

RUFESCENT SCREECH OWL

Three days came and went and it was soon time for me to continue on down the road deeper in to the park. I hitchhiked down the road to the next town and then took a moto-taxi to the town of Atalaya. From here I hired a boat to take me on to my next destination located at about 500m ASL where I would spend the next 5 days. One of my main targets at this elevation was the feisty little Rufous-crested Coquette and I was very pleased to get some nice images of this little guy. My five days at this location were full of exhilarating encounters with birds like the Band-tailed Manakin, Gould’s Jewelfront, Blue-crowned Trogon and many, many more! One of the coolest birds I found was the Short-tailed Pygmy-Tyrant. This bird is the smallest passerine in the world and let me tell you – he is tiny! The field guide has a very accurate description – “a tiny ball of feathers that is scarcely larger than a bee”. What a cute bird!

RUFOUS-CRESTED COQUETTE

BAND-TAILED MANAKIN

GOULD’S JEWELFRONT

BLUE-CROWNED TROGON

SHORT-TAILED PYGMY TYRANT

At this point I had reached the end of the road…literally. All travel deeper in to the park would require a boat. I managed to join a tour group to move on down the river – WAY down the river. We took the boat several hundred kilometers into the jungle and into the Manu National Park reserved zone. This is an area that is strictly protected from logging and hunting and is truly pristine. Some of the highlights for me in the reserved zone were the Agami Heron, Horned Screamer, Red and Green Macaw and a family of Giant Otters!

AGAMI HERON

HORNED SCREAMER

RED AND GREEN MACAW

GIANT RIVER OTTER

The tour group dropped me off at their final stop – a lodge based at 300m ASL. I would spend the next week here trying to photograph some of the really difficult lowland birds. Bird photography at this elevation can be really difficult. To start with, there is almost never any light to work with. Competition for the suns rays in the rainforest is fierce and most light is intercepted before it reaches the forest floor. This makes for hopelessly slow shutter speeds and high ISO’s. Not ideal! The other challenge is that while species diversity is incredibly high – the actual number of individual birds is quite low. Birds here often have huge territories and roam around in mixed species flocks throughout the day. Sometimes you have to be lucky to run in to the flock. Otherwise you may not see much at all. Even if you do find a good flock they are often up in the canopy or moving to quick to get decent shots of. Like I said…photography in the lowlands is very difficult!

That week I spent hiking around the trails for between 8-12 hours a day. Sometimes with very long gaps in the action. I was focusing on trying to photograph Antbirds and did manage to get a few. Fortunately for me I found a huge Army Ant swarm for a few days and this attracted a lot of birds that were looking for an easy meal. You see, when the army ants raid they flow out into the forest in rivers of ants. There can be hundreds of thousands of them and they are all hungry! They overwhelm anything that gets in their way, tear them to bits and carry the food back to the queen. Needless to say the other insects on the forest floor want nothing to do with the ants and try to get out of the way as fast as they can. The Antbirds and Woodcreepers know this and wait patiently above the ant swarm. When a cricket or cockroach moves from its hiding place to escape the birds pounce. An easy meal!

When I found the ant swarm I knew that this would be where I would be spending quite a bit of time. I think I stood in that swarm for something like 10 hours (over two days) trying to get images of Antbirds. I was rewarded with a few keepers…and quite a few ant bites too!

WHITE-THROATED ANTBIRD

BLACK-FACED ANTBIRD

BUFF-THROATED WOODCREEPER

I left the lowlands behind me and started the long journey back to Cusco. Before returning to civilization though I wanted to make one more stop. I felt like I had missed out on the birds in the higher elevations of the park so I decided to stop in at a lodge at about 2800m ASL to try for a few cloud-forest specialties.

The cloud-forests are home to a dazzling variety of beautiful tanagers. Birds like the Scarlet-bellied and Hooded Mountain Tanagers, Grass-green Tanager and Golden-collared Tanager to name just a few. These cloud forests of the Neotropical Andes are probably my favourite places on earth. So, for me, these few days were pure joy.

HOODED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER

GRASS-GREEN TANAGER

GOLDEN-COLLARED TANAGER

I traveled back the rest of the way to Cusco for a much needed break from bird photography for a few days. It was the perfect time to take a side trip to one of the wonders of the world – Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu

The trip to Machu Picchu involves traveling to Ollantaytambo and then onwards by train to Aguas Calientes. From here it is a short bus ride away to these most incredible Inca ruins. What a spectacular place to spend a day!

MACHU PICCHU

The Central Highlands

Visiting Machu Picchu was a nice break from bird photography. But after a few days off I was ready to get back to work. I flew back to Lima to meet up with a friend of mine from Ecuador. We rented a 4×4 truck and set off for the Central Highlands.

Our first destination was an area of high elevation grasslands and bogs called Marcapomacocha. When I say they were high I mean it. We were birding at over 4800m ASL which was the highest I have ever been. The thin air, strong sun and cool temperatures were all forgotten though when we spotted the first of our main targets – the critically endangered White-bellied Cinclodes.

WHITE-BELLIED CINCLODES

Our next target proved to be more difficult to find and was much more difficult to photograph. The Diademed Sandpiper-Plover is one of the most beautiful shorebirds in the world and certainly one of the toughest to track down. Living only in high elevation bogs above 4500m you dont just stumble upon them. It was a great reward for all of the huffing and puffing up there to come away with some nice images of this species.

DIADEMED SANDPIPER PLOVER

Over the next few days we worked away on some of the other high elevation species such as the Black-breasted Hillstar, Andean Goose, Gray-breasted Seedsnipe and Junin Canastero.

BLACK-BREASTED HILLSTAR

From Marcapomacocha we continued on towards the town of Huanuco. This was our base from which we would visit the legendary Bosque Unchog. Bosque Unchog is a beautiful area of Elfin Forest where some really special and endemic birds can be found. It is decidedly off the beaten path though. No facilities exist and it is a rough road to get there. We had to spend two VERY cold nights sleeping in the back of the truck in order to bird this area. But the birds made it all worth while. Although I missed getting photos of the most spectacular bird at Bosque Unchog (the Golden-backed Mountain Tanager) we came away with shots of many other great birds. My favourites had to be the Yellow-scarfed Tanager, Bay-vented Cotinga, Pearled Treerunner, Streaked Tuftedcheek and Chestnut-bellied Mountain Tanager.

YELLOW-SCARFED TANAGER

BAY-VENTED COTINGA

PEARLED TREERUNNER

CHESTNUT-BELLIED MOUNTAIN TANAGER

The North

After Bosque Unchog it was back down to Lima and then on northwards. Most people probably don’t realize this – but the Peruvian coast is a complete desert. Traveling back to Lima and then 800km up the coast was a long, long drive. But it was necessary in order to reach the next set of endemic birds.

Eventually we arrived at our first destination near the town of La Florida. This region is the only place to find what is perhaps the most extravagant hummingbird of them all – the Marvelous Spatuletail. I really wanted to get some solid images of this species and after two days of hard work I was able to get the shot I had dreamed of.

MARVELOUS SPATULETAIL

Not far from where the Spatuletail lives there is a new lodge that is dedicated to birdwatchers. It is a fantastic place to spend a few days and some really special species can be found in the nearby forests. After 10 weeks of grinding it out in the field let me assure you that it was not hard to convince me to stay here for a few nights!

On our second day at the lodge I had one of those days in the field that I will NEVER forget. The day started off with an unbelievable opportunity to photograph an Undulated Antpitta. Later on I had a phenomenal chance to photograph the Royal Sunangel. I was feeling pretty good about the day at this point and decided to try my luck at some owling that night. My target was the Long-whiskered Owlet and to be honest I did not think I had a chance to see it let alone photograph it.

ROYAL SUNANGEL

UNDULATED ANTPITTA

The Long-whiskered Owlet is an enigma. The bird was only discovered in 1976 and was then not seen again until 2002! Even to this day very few people have had good looks at it.

At just 5 inches this bird is the smallest species of Owl in the world. It is so unique that upon discovery ornithologists immediately put it in to its own genus “Xenoglaux” which means “strange owl”.

That evening I trekked down a muddy trail into the elfin cloud forest and I waited patiently to hopefully hear the birds call. Before long, to my delight, I heard what I believed to be an Owlet calling in the distance. I began to use the birds call to try to lure him in towards me.

I’m sure you can all imagine the adrenaline and excitement that I was feeling when I realized that it was working and the bird was coming closer. I stood motionless. I didn’t dare fiddle with my equipment. I didn’t dare check to see what insects were crawling up my leg. Heck…I didn’t dare breathe!!

And then…I saw a flash of movement in front of me. The moon was nearly full and there was enough light to just make out the movement. I shone my flashlight in the direction of the fluttering object and there he was not even 20 feet away on an open branch staring right at me – The Owlet!

As I walked back up the hill after photographing this incredible bird I could hardly believe what had just happened. I think that there are moments in our lives as photographers that I think we will never forget. For me this was most definitely one of them.

LONG-WHISKERED OWLET

3 months in Peru came and went in a flash. What a wonderful trip and what a great country for birds. I will definitely be returning soon!

If you would like to see more photos from my trip - CLICK HERE

If you think that a bird photography adventure to Peru might interest you make sure to EMAIL ME to sign up for the wish list for my workshops that will begin in the fall of 2013.

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A VISIT TO “THE ROCK”

I have just returned from a splendid three week trip to a place that is affectionately referred to as “The Rock”. After a few weeks driving around the beautiful province of Newfoundland I can see why as the rocky geology and rugged coastlines aptly earn their nickname. The landscape also creates perfect habitat for a number of nesting seabirds and these were what drew me all the way to the East Coast of Canada.

My trip started off in the capital city of Saint John’s where I picked up my rental car and set off (knowing that I would have more time to linger later in the trip). My first destination was just a few hours north of the city near the town of Bonavista. I spent several days in this area working on the plentiful nesting Puffins, Black Guillemots, Greater Black-backed Gulls and Razorbills. Simply exploring the coastline in this are turned up a few great photo opportunities for these fantastic Alcids!

My next destination was a bit more of a mission to get to. I had to drive all the way across the province to Gros Morne National Park. In addition to my target birds in the area I had heard that it was a must visit place for any hiking enthusiast. After spending a day or two working on songbirds like Blue-headed Vireo’s and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers I decided it was time to trek up to the top of Gros Morne Mountain and search for the Rock Ptarmigan. The climb definitely got my heart rate up and was a pretty good physical challenge. Upon arriving at the top though there was no question that the effort was indeed worthwhile. Not only was the view spectacular, but I also spotted a few Caribou as well as my much sought after Rock Ptarmigan (with some searching).

From Gros Morne I travelled south along the coast to an area that I had heard of for both Piping Plovers and Black-headed Gulls (the latter has a very limited range in North America).

I continued along the coastline to the famous Cape Saint Mary’s Ecological Reserve to see the numerous seabirds that nest here. It is hard to describe a place as amazing as Cape Saint Mary’s. Words somehow can not capture the sights, sounds and indeed the smell of 70,000 seabirds. What I will say is that if you are ever in Newfoundland this site is an absolute MUST!

From Cape Saint Mary’s I continued my coastal explorations all the way back to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. I spent a day out kayaking with Puffins, Murres, Razorbills and Kittiwakes before finally travelling back to Saint John’sfor a few days of taking in the culture of Newfoundland. All in all it was a great trip!

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Microsoft has released a codec pack for viewing RAW files in windows explorer. So instead of just seeing the generic icon for your RAW files now you can see the actual photo. Cool!

You can download the Codec Pack here for free – http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=26829

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It has been a very action packed past 6 weeks of travelling around the country in search of birds. In mid-May I set off for my annual road trip. This year I wanted to focus on the interior of British Columbia and some of the fantastic species that breed here. I spent 20 days camping out under the stars in a variety of different habitat types. I had a long target list of birds and managed to find most of them along the way. What a wonderful way to spend three weeks!

Here are a few of my favourites from that trip:

Common Loon (Gavia immer)

Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) perched on a branch in the Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada.

Lewis's Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis)

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

I returned to Victoria for a day or two and then headed off for Churchill, Manitoba to lead a photo workshop up there. What a fantastic place! There is so much to see and do up there and some really exceptional shooting opportunities. For northern bird photography this is as good as it gets! We had a wonderful group of 6 photographers and we were blessed with fantastic sunny weather. The breeze kept the mosquitoes out of the equation as well. It was about as perfect as it could have been and I can hardly wait to get back there next year

Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica)

Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)

Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)

Arctic Tern (Strena paradisaea)

Spruce Grouse (Falcipennis canadensis)

Parasitic Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus)

Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica)

All in all it has been a wonderful way to start the summer. If you are interested in seeing more images from either of these trips check out the feature photo gallery on www.glennbartley.com

And if you think you might want to join me next year in Churchill be sure to send me an email.

All the best!

Glenn

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Black-crested Coquette

I have just returned from a fantastic 3 week trip to Costa Rica. Our group had some wonderful opportunities for some really great birds. It would be hard to pick a favourite from the 200+ species that we encountered over the course of the 11 day trip. But definitely one of my most memorable birds was the amazing little Black-crested Coquette (seen below). All in all it was a wonderful trip!

On the 27th of March I met my group of 6 workshop participants in the capital city of Costa Rica – San Jose. The next morning we headed off bright and early for our first shooting location which was about 2 hours east of San Jose. Hummingbirds definitely stole the show at our first photo lodge and we worked on a few different techniques to photograph them perched and in flight. In addition to the Black-crested Coquette that I mentioned above we also photographed the Green-breasted Mango, White-necked Jacobin, Violet-crowned Woodnymph, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Green Hermit and the incredible little Snowcap (+ many more).

Green-breasted Mango

Snowcap

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

Violet-crowned Woodnymph

I really try to encourage diversity on my photography workshops. By this I mean that we will aim to photograph a diverse range of species, look for diverse shooting opportunities and come away with a diverse set of skills that are learned. So with this said, rather than just sit around the lodge and photograph hummingbirds for 4 days (which would have been easy to do) we took some fantastic day trips to nearby photography hotspots. One of the really special opportunities that presented itself was to photograph a nesting family of Sunbitterns. It was a real treat to watch as the parents took turns feeding along the river and brought food in to their young (see below). We also visited a nearby wetland area where we photographed really neat birds like the Northern Jacana and Boat-billed Heron. And on the way back from our excursion we found some great birds along the entrance road to the lodge (including a Lineated Woodpecker nest).

Sunbittern Family

Northern Jacana

Boat-billed Heron

Lineated Woodpecker

Eventually it was time to move on from our first lodge. We had a wonderful stay there filled with good birds and great food. But there were many more photo opportunities awaiting us at our next stop high up in the Talamanca Mountains. One of the first species that we encountered was the dazzling Fiery-throated hummingbird. What a spectacular species!!! We all enjoyed taking pictures of this stunning high elevation hummingbird and they provided us with some excellent images.

Fiery-throated Hummingbird

Our #1 target for this area however was the bird that many consider to be THE MOST beautiful bird in the world – The Resplendent Quetzal. During this time of the year the birds are still courting and setting up nest sites. Within a few hours of arriving at the lodge we had found a pair of Quetzals to photograph. I think I can safely say that we were all very happy campers and that our drinks at happy hour tasted extra good that night

Resplendent Quetzal

In addition to the fabulous Resplendednt Quetzal, our mountain lodge presented even more opportunities to photograph hummingbirds. Species like the Magnificent Hummingbird, Green Violetear, Gray-tailed Mountain-Gem, Scintillant and Volcano Hummingbirds were all regular visitors to the feeders and we all came away with some great shots of them.  By the end of this trip we had seen and photographed over 20 species of hummingbirds! Morning walks along the river or through the mountain trails produced other great birds like the Spangled-cheeked Tanager, Flame-throated Warbler, Collared Trogon and Tufted Flycatcher. Add to this the colourful tanagers, flowerpiercers and other birds that were found in the gardens of the hotel and we had plenty to keep us busy for 3 days.

Magnificent Hummingbird

Green Violetear

Spangled-cheeked Tanager

Our wonderful group of photographers – searching for birds high in the Talamanca Mountains

How can you have a bad day when you are greeted by this friendly felow in the morning at breakfast?

The final stop on this years tour was on the pacific coast of Costa Rica. I had planned this workshop to visit three different elevations and this was our lowland stop. On our first morning we took a really neat boat trip up the Tarcoles River. Wow did we ever see a lot of birds! I think we added something like 45 species to our list that morning and we had some great chances to photograph the Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Turquoise-browed Motmot and what was a life bird for me – the Yellow-billed Cotinga. We arrived back at our beach-front hotel in time to take a dip in the Pacific Ocean before heading out on to the trails for a few final photography sessions. Photography here in the lowland fornforest proved to be a challenge and would be a test of all of the new skills that we had learned. We had to work hard. But we were rewarded with some great looks at White-whiskered Puffbird and Chestnut-backed Antbird.

Eventually all good things must come to an end and we had to return to San Jose to catch our flights home.  What made this trip really special for me was not just what we saw and experienced – but the fact that we had such a great group of kind, good-humoured, nature-loving people. It truly was a fantastic trip!

But don’t take my word for it. Here are a few things that the participants had to say (More feedback to come in my next newsletter):

“My visit to Costa Rica with Glenn exceeded all my expectations. A great country, great birding and great opportunities for photography. But above all, Glenn provided top class, professional and patient advice and instruction in order to help me make the most of those opportunities. It was only after 4 days that Glenn produced his own camera, and that was in order to lend it to one of the other participants. (I was already using his tripod due to a problem with mine!) Glenn did not use the trip as a way to take his own photographs but was constantly available to advise, support and encourage. His evening workflow and Photoshop sessions were also highly informative and many aspects have been incorporated into my own approach. Before I set off I had told Glenn that I was highly impressed by the photos that I had seen from the trip to Ecuador. He advised me that I would return with similar photos. I doubted that this would happen, but now know that he was right. I will certainly be trying to do more trips with Glenn, and would have no hesitation in recommending his workshops. Incidentally, he is also a genuinely nice bloke and good company!”
(S.C. Costa Rica, 2011)

“My photo trip with you to Costa Rica was everything I hoped it would be with one-on-one training in a beautiful country with fantastic birds.  I found your patient, persistent and skilled teaching to be what I wanted and needed and I believe that I came away a better photographer.  My head was spinning at times with the challenge of so much information so fast but it turns out that the result is just what I needed.  The proof is in my finished photographs.  I continue to be surprised by your often being out shooting with our small group side by side without using your own camera.  When you did take out your camera I learned by your example.  To me that demonstrated your focus on why I was there – to learn to make better photographs of a subject I love.  For you, it was not just about our paying you to take your own photographs.  You put first things first.  This was an exceptional workshop.  I have done others but know that yours was exceptional in the level of individualized attention given, the quality of the content and what I took away from it. Your energy, positive disposition, focus on the purpose of the workshop and patient assistance to each member of our diverse group was remarkable.  I hope you never lose those qualities.  Keep in mind that I have been married to a gifted teacher for many years.  She too remarked often on your skills.”
(S.P. – Costa Rica, 2011)

I will definitely be running this trip again in April of 2012. I will have dates available and will be taking deposits in the upcoming few weeks. If you are interested in reserving a space on the trip make sure to get in touch soon as I am certain that the 6 spaces available will sell out fast. Send me an email if you want to be put on the trips wish list.

To see more images please visit – http://www.glennbartley.com/naturephotography/articles/Gallery%20-%20CostaRica2011.html

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I have just returned from a fabulous month in Ecuador where I conducted two back-to-back workshops. We had some incredible encounters with out-of-this-world birds like the Sword-billed Hummingbird, Sunbittern, Torrent Duck, Crimson-rumped Toucanet (see below) and so many more. It was awesome!!

After meeting in Quito, each tour started in the northwest part of the country where we focused our efforts on the amazing diversity of hummingbirds. By the time the trip was over most of the participants had photographed over 30 species of these tiny flying jewels (including Booted Rackettails, Purple-bibbed White-Tips and Violet-tailed Sylph’s as seen below).

From our base in the Tandayapa Valley we made a few day trips to visit nearby photography hot-spots. We even managed photos of some really tough species like the Mustached Antpitta and Dark-backed Wood Quail (see below). Everyone also got fantastic shots of the gorgeous little Crimson-rumped Toucannet. But above all else we focused on photographing hummingbirds using my patented multi-flash techniques (including the beautiful Andean Emerald seen below).

Our next stop was the famous Mindo area where we spent some time photographing one of my favourite Ecuadorian Hummingbirds – the Velvet-purple Coronet (seen below balancing on a branch) . We also got some great looks at a few beautiful Tanagers (such as the Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager seen below) and had an incredible encounter with a pair of Sunbitterns (see below). We also had a great opportunity to photograph a Common Potoo (see below). Day trips to a Butterfly Garden and to the Milpe Reserve rounded out our time in the northwest.

After a drive across the central valley and up and over the Papallacta Pass (where we had spectacular views of the Antisana Volcano) we arrived at our final lodge of the trip. From Sword-billed Hummingbirds to Torrent Ducks and from Rufous-bellied Seedsnipes to Turquoise Jays it was hard to know where to point our lenses. Other highlight birds during our time on the East slope included the stunning Ecuadorian Hillstar and the cute little Tawny Antpitta. During our stay on the east slope we also enjoyed some of the best food in Ecuador. The soups especially were to die for!

After 4 spectacular days on the East Slope we traveled back to Quito for the night. The following day we took a short 30 minute flight into the Ecuadorian lowlands and prepared to travel into the Amazon Rainforest. We then took a boat nearly 100km down river deep into the jungle. After a few hours we arrived at our wonderful jungle lodge where we would spend the next 4 days.

During our stay in the Amazon the water levels in the streams and lagoons were quite low. This provided incredible opportunities to photograph 5 species of Kingfishers as well as crazy birds like Hoatzin’s, Donocobius, Macaws, Owls and even Parrots that were coming to a local site to eat clay. It really was an amazing experience for us all.

Eventually all good things must come to an end and we had to return to Quito to catch our flights home. It truly was a fantastic trip. But don’t take my word for it. Here are some of the things that a few of the participants had to say:

“This is a very well run workshop, and I’d recommend it highly.  Glenn is an excellent teacher, able to find things to teach to people at all levels of photographic skill (and levels of bird-watching expertise).  Some tour leaders seem more interested in their own photos than in helping and teaching students, but Glenn is clearly (and effectively) committed to teaching first.  His contacts, knowledge of where to go, whom to talk to, where birds and food are hidden are all important elements in the success of the program, and would be hard to replicate in a tour led by someone without Glenn’s extensive experience in Ecuador. The workshop is very well planned, with new events and excursions spaced frequently to avoid boredom and maintain “first day” excitement”. (R.M. Ecuador, 2011)

“I was a participant in a recent workshop to Ecuador to photograph hummingbirds with Glenn Bartley.  He is a most accomplished photographer and has a tremendous talent for teaching others how to improve their own skills.  It was my first experience with a photo workshop such as this one, and I am a complete rookie when it comes to photography.  It did not matter the level of skill that I did or did not possess. Glenn was able to share knowledge with everyone at every level whether they were or a pro or an amateur and enable them to expand their knowledge in a learning conducive environment.  Glenn willingly shared his knowledge and experience and provided constant praise and encouragement to everyone.  He was patient, dedicated and committed to ensuring everyone enjoyed every aspect of the trip.  I would most certainly give anyone a recommendation who was looking for a similar excursion.  The small number of participants ensured everyone got the time and attention they required to improve their skills. His experience with the birds of Ecuador was an incredible asset and his knowledge and ability to converse in Spanish with the guides and lodge owners was of benefit to each of us.  Not only has he inspired me to take up the hobby of photography, he has provided me with extra incentive to pursue learning a new language.  Learning Spanish is something that has been on my “to do list” a very long time and I am now motivated to pursue that desire.  He has definitely chosen the correct life career and it is obvious he is committed and passionate in helping others succeed and advance their skills in this area”. (L.S. Ecuador, 2011)

“I recently attended a bird photography workshop in Ecuador with Glenn and I would highly recommend his workshops to anyone.  Glenn’s knowledge of the birds, equipment and the digital darkroom is a huge asset and my photos from the workshop were indeed impressive.  Glenn was  very familiar with the many species of birds in Ecuador and their behaviour, which is essential for a successful workshop.  He was always close at hand to answer a question or address a problem, and I believe I came away a better photographer. This was my first workshop and the thought of traveling alone was a concern, but after meeting Glenn at the airport my fears were put to rest and I sure hope that I will be able to go on another sometime soon. Thanks Glenn!” (R.H. Ecuador, 2011)

“This workshop in Ecuador was my first photo workshop with Glenn and I was not disappointed. He certainly lived up to his reputation. Glenn KNOWS the birds and where to find them. Glenn is very detail oriented and it showed in the planning and execution of this trip. There was nothing left to chance and there were no hitches during the ten days. The transportation, the lodging, and the food were far above my expectations. He has selected sites and lodges about which  he has firsthand knowledge. We were rewarded by Glenn’s diligence in seeing a broad variety of avian life. He provided opportunities for all in the group to be successful at photography. His knowledge of photography and the techniques particular to nature photography are excellent and he is able to convey this information in easy to understand terms. We could not stump him (try as we might!). I would not only highly recommend one of Glenn’s workshops but would also take another one myself”. (P.S. Ecuador, 2011)

“I was impressed with Glenn’s energy and helpfulness throughout the workshop. He had excellent knowledge of the locations.  He also demonstrated good photographic technique, equipment, and Photoshop knowledge.  I would definitely feel confident of attending another workshop, and highly recommend him”. (T.S. Ecuador, 2011)

I will definitely be running this trip again in January of 2012. I will have dates available and will be taking deposits in the upcoming few weeks. If you are interested in reserving a space on the trip make sure to get in touch soon as I am certain that the 8 spaces available (2 tours) will sell out fast. Send me an email if you want to be put on the trips wish list.

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