JIM TAYLOR WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
Jim Taylor is a wildlife photographer who owns a house called Casa Ranas, plus 32 acres of rainforest, here in the Osa and about 2km off the main road between La Palma & Puerto Jimenez. Jim has built a series of professional wildlife photography hides (blinds) around his property and uses these to run guest 1-2-1 workshops.
Normally, these are offered exclusively to house guests who are renting via AirBnB, however Jim is opening these up to non-house guests for 2 weeks in 2024: week of 18 March; and week of 13 May.
Below are the main sessions, however camera trapping options will also be possible if you’re interested (for bats etc).
KINKAJOU, AT FOREST HIDE
Forest Hide is a scaffold tower on the edge of the forest, with a 5m high platform. The platform is angled towards a branch in the forest, which is about 5-6 metres away. For our 1-2-1 workshop, we climb up to the platform at night and sit in silence (in mobile hides for camouflage) waiting for kinkajou’s to arrive close to us. We can see the branch, via an always-on spotlight. Photography uses transmitters & flashes. It’s amazing to hear the kinkajou’s climbing around so close, but silence is needed.
DETAILS - FOREST HIDE
- Needed: Camera with lens optimal +/- 200mm to 300mm size
- Provided: Transmitter for camera, plus Godox flashes set up in surrounding trees
- Guest number: Max 2 people
- Guest fee: $40 pp per session
MONKEYS / KINKAJOU / TAMANDUA, AT MONKEY JUMP HIDE
Monkey Jump Hide is a scaffold tower positioned around some huge trees near the drive up to the house, with an 8m high platform. The platform is angled towards a branch leading animals from one tree to another (a mini animal highway) where they walk up the branch then jump to the next tree.
For our 1-2-1 workshops, there’s two options:
Evening: we climb up to the platform in early evening and sit in silence (in mobile hides for camouflage) waiting for animals to arrive. These can be kinkajou but sometimes tamandua. We can see the branch, via an always-on spotlight. Photography uses transmitters & flashes.
Early morning: we climb up to the platform and wait for monkeys to arrive. Photography uses transmitters & flashes. There are usually lots of birds around (aracari, trogon etc) to photograph whilst waiting.
DETAILS - MONKEY JUMP HIDE
- Needed: Camera with lens optimal +/- 200mm to 500mm size
- Provided: Transmitter for camera, plus Godox flashes set up in surrounding trees
- Guest number: Max 2 people
- Guest fee: $40 pp per session
KINGFISHERS DIVING, AT CUCO’S HIDE
Cuco’s Hide is an airconditioned small house sunk down in the ground, near the main house, with toilet / office seats / plates for gimbals. Front windows face 2 ponds where kingfisher regularly visit; photography in this direction is through the clear glass. Back windows face a reflection pool; photography in this direction is through holes in the darkened glass.
For our 1-2-1 workshop, we will focus on photography of Green or Belted Kingfishers, through the front glass. In each pond there are ‘baskets’ that contain fish, that can be lowered just below the surface. Manual focus is necessary. Jim will assist with showing you how / where to focus and shoot.
DETAILS - CUCO'S HIDE
- Needed: Camera with lens optimal +/- 300mm to 500mm size
- Provided: Supervised hide use / plates for gimbals
- Guest number: Max 2 people
- Guest fee: $40 pp per session
KINKAJOU, FROM BALCONY
In the early evening – usually about 6.30pm – kinkajou come to eat bananas put out for them, on out high metal pole that is positioned about 10m away from the main house. They run across a branch from an adjacent tree, which allows for good photographic opportunities from a chair sitting on the balcony, roughly at the same height as them.
For our 1-2-1 workshop, we can see the branch, via an always-on spotlight. Photography uses transmitters, and flashes positioned in front / behind the branch. Photographers need to decide that afternoon, whether they want front-lit or back-lit photos (or a mix).
DETAILS
- Needed: Camera, with lens +/- 400 or 500mm size
- Provided: Transmitter for camera, plus Godox flashes set up
- Guest number: Max 2 people
- Guest fee: $25 pp per session
Sessions will last 1-3 hours. Guests need to book these at least 1 week in advance. Please email Jim and he will send you a form with availability. Listed rates will apply and are 50% normal rates, refundable if no success and guests have stayed quiet in the hides.
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TOP TEN THINGS TO EXPERIENCE ON THE OSA PENINSULA
1. Visit Corcovado National Park: The Park is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet and is home to a variety of wildlife, including jaguars, tapirs, and scarlet macaws.
2. Go Whale Watching: The Osa Peninsula is one of the best places in Costa Rica to go whale watching. You can spot humpback whales, pilot whales, and even orcas.
3. Explore the Beaches: The Osa Peninsula is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. From white sand beaches to black sand beaches, there is something for everyone.
4. Go Sport Fishing: The Osa Peninsula is a great place to go sport fishing. You can catch a variety of fish, including marlin, sailfish, and roosterfish.
5. Visit the Waterfalls: The Osa Peninsula is home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Costa Rica. From the majestic King Louis (Matapalo Waterfall) to the awesome Magical Mogos Waterfalls, there is something for everyone.
6. Go Bird Watching: The Osa Peninsula is home to a variety of birds, including toucans, parrots, and oropendolas.
7. Take a Boat Tour of the Golfo Dulce: Take a boat tour of the Osa Peninsula and explore the mangroves, islands, and beaches.
8. Go Kayaking: Kayaking is a great way to explore the Osa Peninsula. You can paddle through the mangroves and explore the islands.
9. Go Hiking: The Osa Peninsula is home to a variety of hiking trails, from easy to difficult. Explore the rainforest and spot a variety of wildlife.
10. Surfing: It is a great destination for surfers, with some of the best waves in the country. The waves here are suitable for all levels of surfers, from beginners to experienced surfers.