Self Guided Birding Trip to Panama

[@peterh50]

Thank you for this very informative video. As we are contemplating a birding trip to Panama next year it is really helpful to get tips on possible locations and guides. Many excellent photos, too! If we go I'll be taking my OM-1 as well...;)

[@eprohoda]

hiya!-super~perfect ! goodnight, amigo~

[@tameimpala37]

Great video.

[@Travelingseniors-xt9yh]

Thanks

[@DianeWiesenborn]

Excellent video; thanks so much for sharing this great information and the wonderful photos! My husband and I just got back from a (mostly) birding trip to Costa Rica and we tentatively plan to go to Panama next year. So your tips are very relevant and helpful!

[@Travelingseniors-xt9yh]

Thanks for the positive comment. We enjoyed Panama when we were there and ope you do as well.

[@BIRDCHECKBRASIL]

awesome birding, and great tips ! cheers

[@Travelingseniors-xt9yh]

thanks

[@TracyBirds]

Awesome video! Hi from Alberta, we’re planning a trip to Panama in 2025, so I will save this. I’ve seen some of these beauties in Costa Rica.

[@Travelingseniors-xt9yh]

Thanks for the comment, we really did enjoy Panama. It shares many similarities to Costa Rica. Many of he species are not called endemic as they are found in more than one country, They are however regional endemic as they are found only in this region. Birds do not understand borders.

[@DianeWiesenborn]

How was your car rental experience? Is AWD needed for some of your locations?

[@Travelingseniors-xt9yh]

Our car rental had no problems. We did not have an all wheel drive and again had no problems. Best of luck if you are planning a trip.

[@paulisraelsonisraelsonlaw654]

Very nice set of photos. I was wondering what settings you used for your hummingbird in flight shots. PJI

[@Travelingseniors-xt9yh]

Hi, for hummingbirds I use 1/2500 sec and try to catch them just as they approach the flowers. They are slowest at this point but it will not freeze the wings but I am ok with that. I shoot wide open f4 or if using a TC f5.6 and auto ISO. My om1 has bird detection which really helps

[@paulisraelsonisraelsonlaw654]

@@Travelingseniors-xt9yh Thank you.

[@jameschivers6729]

i'm not familiar with the yellow-tipped tern. Is it just a sandwich tern?

[@Travelingseniors-xt9yh]

I believe they are the same bird.

[@jkp123ism]

What Camera do you have please.

[@Travelingseniors-xt9yh]

These images were all taken with an Olympus/om systems Om1 with a 300F4 lens, some with and some without a 1.4 TC.

[@RogerZoul]

@@Travelingseniors-xt9yhThis is a micro 4/3rds sensor camera, correct? Also, during your entire trip, what % of your shooting was in dark vs good light conditions? Thanks for the video.

[@Travelingseniors-xt9yh]

Hi, I would say at least 1/3 of my images were taken deep in the cloud forest and a couple of days even in the rain. Light was a challenge and ISOs were often high. I shoot with a OM1 and the 300F4 lens (this helps in low light). I am amazed at how well the OM1 handles up to ISO 12800. You will need to clean up noise in post but as long as you expose correctly it does a good job retaining detail and colors. I rarely go above 12800 as images will start to lose detail and you may get color casts.