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!!
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.
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!
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.
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
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!
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!!
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
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.
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.
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?
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!
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.




































































































BEARDED MAOUNTAINEER
WHITE-TUFTED GREBE
PLUMBEOUS RAIL
WHITE-TUFTED SUNBEAM
ANDEAN COCK OF THE ROCK
CRESTED QUETZAL
BLUE-NAPED CHLOROPHONIA
RUFESCENT SCREECH OWL
RUFOUS-CRESTED COQUETTE
BAND-TAILED MANAKIN
GOULD’S JEWELFRONT
BLUE-CROWNED TROGON
SHORT-TAILED PYGMY TYRANT
AGAMI HERON
HORNED SCREAMER
RED AND GREEN MACAW
GIANT RIVER OTTER
WHITE-THROATED ANTBIRD
BLACK-FACED ANTBIRD
BUFF-THROATED WOODCREEPER
HOODED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER
GRASS-GREEN TANAGER
GOLDEN-COLLARED TANAGER
MACHU PICCHU
WHITE-BELLIED CINCLODES
DIADEMED SANDPIPER PLOVER
BLACK-BREASTED HILLSTAR
YELLOW-SCARFED TANAGER
BAY-VENTED COTINGA
PEARLED TREERUNNER
CHESTNUT-BELLIED MOUNTAIN TANAGER
MARVELOUS SPATULETAIL
ROYAL SUNANGEL
UNDULATED ANTPITTA
LONG-WHISKERED OWLET
























































