Costa Rica Photo Safari - April, 2007

April 13-22, 2007

Donald L. Cohen, MD - DLC Photography

Having completed 2 very successful Photo Safaris to Costa Rica, and with a 3rd trip filled for December, 2006, plans are now in place for my next photo adventure in April, 2007. One of the most biodiverse locations on the planet, Costa Rica offers unique opportunities for the nature photographer to see and shoot a wide variety of plant and animal species, as well as the incredibly gorgeous landscape of a number of ecosystems. Waiting there are 4 species of monkeys (white-faced capuchins, howlers, spider and squirrel monkeys), 375 species of birds (including scarlet macaws, toucans, hawks, mot-mots, many species of hummingbirds, etc.), 116 species of amphibians and reptiles (including the famous red-eyed tree frog and poison arrow frogs), and 139 mammal species (including sloths, anteaters, tapirs and jaguars), not to mention the spectacular butterflies, orchids and other flowers, and an extensive array of flora of every type.

As I have learned in my previous trips to Costa Rica, "getting there is half the fun," with an abundance of things to see while getting from one stopping point to another. We will have our own personal guide, drivers and vehicle, so we can stop at any time to get a closer look, take pictures, and truly experience all this country has to offer. The itinerary has been specifically designed to make sure any non-photographer spouses, friends or family will have the time of their lives, as we travel from one beautiful landscape to another. Photographers of all levels of experience are welcome, from rank amateur to pro.

Some of the locations we'll be visiting include Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, La Selva OTS, Lankester Botanical Gardens, Cerro de la Muerte, Finca Serrano, and both Manuel Antonio and Carara National Parks (on the Pacific coast). Please see the Daily Itinerary for details.

The group will be small (limited to 10 people) to allow ample opportunity for one-on-one instruction. In addition to teaching in the field, we'll be having regular Workshop sessions back at the hotels, covering a wide variety of topics in photography, digital imaging, etc. Once the group's participants are identified, a Questionnaire will be sent to each one, to assess everyone's experience, areas of interest, and expectations. In this way, the Workshop Agenda can be tailored to meet the specific needs of our group. An LCD Projector will be available, to allow us to view and learn from images that are taken as we travel, and the concepts and techniques learned can then be applied in the following day's shooting.

See the links below for the costs, a detailed itinerary, the Lodges where we'll be staying, etc.

The travel arrangements have been made with Sunny Breeding, Jr., PhD, of World Class Travel and Tours who has extensive experience in international travel, with a particular interest and expertise in Costa Rica. He works with John Aspinall of Costa Rica Connections. I was extremely pleased with their work in last year's trip, and I am happy to be working with them again.


Additional information and details can be found here:

Daily Itinerary

Workshop Agenda

Biography of your Workshop Leader, Donald L. Cohen, MD


Cost:

Based on a group of 6, the cost will be $2,795 per person, with double occupancy, and a single supplement of $640.00. This includes virtually everything, including most meals, the entrance fees to the various parks and reserves we'll be visiting, etc. Your airfare into and out of Costa Rica is separate, and you will also have to pay a $26.00/person Costa Rica Departure Tax at the airport. Alcoholic beverages, personal equipment, extras in hotels (i.e. laundry, phone calls, room service), gratuities, etc. are not included. Travel insurance, including trip cancellation, is available and highly recommended.

A $350/person deposit will secure a spot on the trip. Please contact Sunny Breeding of World Class Travel and Tours who is handling these arrangements. He can also be reached at 800-337-4249 for any questions pertaining to travel logistics, travel insurance, etc.


Comments from past Photo Safari Participants: **New: I have created a small gallery of images taken by participants in previous Costa Rica Safari's. Click here**

"I'd like to thank you once again for the terrific trip. It was a photographic experience that I've never had before. I'm sure that I'm a better photographer (not tough to do) than I was before the trip. I'm looking at my camera differently and will probably use it in a more advantageous manner in the future."

"My wife and I had a great trip and enjoyed being part of the group. We had an interesting mix of people, and the fact that everyone got along made the trip a lot of fun. I learned a lot about shooting wildlife, both from our after-dinner discussions and by observing the various techniques members of our group used in the field. Very profitable."

”My photo adventure to Costa Rica was an opportunity of a lifetime at an affordable price. Don Cohen led the expedition to the Osa Peninsula where Crocodile Bay Lodge hosted us in first class style. I would have been happy to see a few exotic birds and animals, but what I saw far exceeded my expectations. You name it, it is there - from every imaginable insect, butterflies in abundance, crocodiles, reptiles and birds. The rainforest and waterfalls and landscape were a photographers dream. The plant life was spectacular and an afternoon kayaking through the Mangroves was breathtaking.

Each day Don went over digital photography basics and techniques to help us understand how to capture even better images. The Lodge made sure that no one went hungry or thirsty and our tour guide couldn’t have been sharper. All in all, the value for the experience was unbeatable.”

"I still think about Costa Rica and wanted you to know how I thoroughly enjoyed meeting you and going on the trip."

“This was a fantastic departure from the usual passive tropic resort experience. Interaction with other participants added unexpectedly and greatly to the experience. The guides were very in-tune with our naturalist perspective and very knowledgeable. Don made the evening sessions very educational so it was like a seminar and field trip combined.”

”This portion of paradise had superior accommodations and the staff was always helpful. The local guides were knowledgeable and energetic and Don was a superior photographer and teacher. His helpful ideas tendered before, during and after the safari will always be appreciated and the knowledge we brought home was fresh new and exciting. Thanks for a great trip.”

To see a wide variety of photographs taken during my 3 previous trips to Costa Rica, please visit the following Galleries on my website:

Costa Rica December 2005 Part 1

Costa Rica
December 2005
Part 2

Costa Rica
December 2005
Part 3

Costa Rica Photo Safari
September, 2004

Costa Rica Birds
March, 2004

Costa Rica Mammals
March, 2004

Costa Rica Variety
March, 2004

For all inquiries, and to make a reservation, my contact information is:

dlc@dlcphoto.com

704-664-6077 - phone

704-973-7778 - fax

DLC Photography Home Page