Wildlife with Ray - Costa Rica

[@neilrobinson6019]

Thanks for the video. Headed to Costa Rica in a few weeks, so this gives me an idea of what to expect!

[@RayHennessy]

That's great, glad you enjoyed it! Have fun!

[@jackjericho]

As a bird photographer who's planning a trip to CR in the next year or two, this is a video I needed to see, as it shows the actual reality of the location vs. the preconceived notion that birds are dripping off every tree and there's effortless masterpiece shots just waiting to be taken anywhere you point a camera. Like you, I don't want to make this epic international trip just to shoot feeder birds at a resort, there's nothing I love more than heading off the beaten path and finding my own images.

[@RayHennessy]

Thanks for the feedback and that's great you are planning a trip like that, it's challenging as I mentioned but it's worth it! If you get a chance you can find out a lot more about our trip on these episodes of my podcast www.rayhennessy.com/wildlife-photo-chat/131-the-costa-rica-trip-with-emilie-and-felicia and www.rayhennessy.com/wildlife-photo-chat/128-wildlife-photo-chat-weekly-with-brad-james

[@uaebifvideo5472]

Thank you ,Ray !! Wished that you shed a light on the techniques you used to get proper shots , i.e. exposure modes, slow shutter speeds, ISO , Auto , or manual., information will help any photographer that gets in that atmosphere ( jungles, thick vegetation). Thank you again for all the information. 👍🏼

[@RayHennessy]

Thanks for the feedback, I'll keep that in mind for future videos!

[@mattbrucefl]

Thanks for sharing, Ray. I enjoyed hearing about your trip on the podcast, but it's even better with the visuals.

[@RayHennessy]

Thanks so much Matt!

[@larscroon4834]

Thank you for sharing

[@RayHennessy]

Thanks for watching!

[@mm8276352]

Thank you Ray, I think I'm getting a good feel of how it is to be there. Just a note: I think this video would have benefitted to be done in 4k, as the detail in the images could be better sometimes.

[@RayHennessy]

Thanks for watching and thanks for the feedback. I could see that 4k would help, I'll look into recording higher resolution, it becomes tougher to deal with saving/uploading those larger files since I live on the road and internet isn't always the best but for these videos it could be ok.

[@uaebifvideo5472]

​@@RayHennessy Agree with the suggestion, Ray , your images are worth the hassle.!!👍🏼 It will be documented in your channel for the future.

[@RayHennessy]

@@uaebifvideo5472 thanks, I have started recording and sharing the latest versions of these in 4k.

[@doderiolarkisso4038]

Beautiful pictures as usual. Also: Damn, those monkeys have some huge ass fangs lol.

[@RayHennessy]

They sure do don't they!

[@andreaskentis565]

Great stuff, like these videos. Always learning something man. At least you both like taking pictures! We went to Uganda for a trip and my girlfriend had big issues because i was stuck on a lens all day😅. And me on the other hand i felt that i was missing shots😅. By the way, if you want to have a lot of opportunities for bird photos, o my god Uganda is fantastic

[@RayHennessy]

Thanks for watching and commenting and yes I certainly am lucky that Emilie is a wildlife photographer as well, sure makes trips like this easier! Thanks for the Uganda recommendation!

[@mynaturelens]

Beautiful images as usual! Any plans to host a workshop there? Is it safe to travel on your own there? Driving?

[@RayHennessy]

No current plans to host a workshop as I haven't been there enough to really know the place but I'm headed back again next March so we'll see. It all felt very safe there, we drove around a lot of the country for 3 weeks and had zero issues.

[@randallbacon3065]

Off topic, but are you still using your Vision Pro for editing in your van? If so, I’d love to hear an update on how it’s working. If not, why not?

[@RayHennessy]

Thanks for asking, I do use it but certainly less. I've since added a 27" Apple Studio Display to our van and for the longer editing sessions it's far more comfortable. I do still love using the Vision Pro just to see photos larger but also when it's nice out and I'd like to edit outside it's the only way to do it and every time I do I'm still amazed by it!

[@BenVogan]

I am a Canadian expat living in Costa Rica for the past 17 years. If you want to take photos of birds in their natural habitat you hire a private guide and go very early in the morning. If you are staying at a hotel that caters to birders they will have a recommended guide. If you just walk into a park and get one the guides at the entrance it will be hit and miss. If you don't want to hire a guide (they are expensive), then manicured gardens and feeders are the way to go. Otherwise you will spend hours walking trails seeing almost nothing. The birds are there, but you won't see them.

[@RayHennessy]

Yes that was pretty much my experience. I'm the type of photographer that prefers to explore on my own vs. use a guide, even though I certainly recognize the advantages of using knowledgeable local guides. I was ok with not seeing as much but doing it on my own so it worked out. Thanks for watching and for the comment!

[@christinedelarosa3550]

Hi, I am going to Costa Rica at the beginning of December and staying in La Fortuna and Sarapiqui. Do you have any guides you recommend?

[@RayHennessy]

@@christinedelarosa3550 I didn't use any guides at all so I don't have any recommendations. Enjoy your trip, I'm sure you will!

[@uaebifvideo5472]

Knew you wouldn't fall for setups and paying for shots !! 👍🏼

[@RayHennessy]

Thanks, I get why so many would, just not my favored approach.