Six Weeks with My Son
For six unforgettable weeks, my son Neal and I travelled through Costa Rica, exploring its national parks, rainforests, volcanoes and coastline. We visited places such as Manuel Antonio, Arenal, Corcovado, Tortuguero, Poás and Tenorio, but the journey became about much more than photographing wildlife.
We both carried our cameras and together photographed an extraordinary variety of wildlife, monkeys, tropical birds, reptiles, butterflies, orchids and many other species. Each region offered something different, from the lush forests to volcanic landscapes and the Pacific coastline.
In Corcovado, we travelled along the coast by boat, watching rays leaping from the water and, most memorably, encountering a cougar. At Poás, the striking turquoise acidic crater lake provided an entirely different photographic experience.
Yet some of my strongest memories have little to do with individual photographs. Neal and I made long walks through remote countryside, including journeys where we actually crossed the border area with Nicaragua on foot. Being together in such wild surroundings, discovering what was around the next corner, created a bond that photographs alone could never capture.
Looking back, this six-week journey remains one of the most meaningful I have shared with Neal. We were not simply father and son travelling together, we were two photographers sharing the same curiosity, waiting for the next encounter and discovering nature through our own lenses.
Even today, when I ask Neal which journey he remembers most fondly, Costa Rica is still his answer.
For me, that says more about the journey than any photograph ever could.
CR001 - The keel billed toucan, a vibrant marvel of Costa Rica, perches proudly, the rainbow colored bill and striking plumage making it one of the most captivating birds in the tropical forest.
CR002 - Two-toned sloth slowly climbs back up a tree after its descent, each deliberate movement highlighting its gentle grace and calm resilience in the forest canopy.
CR003 - Full line of elegant terns perches along the railings of a coastal bridge in Costa Rica, their sleek silhouettes reflecting the serene rhythm of the nearby waters.
CR004 - The vibrant red iguana of Costa Rica stands out brilliantly against the lush green foliage, the striking color and textured skin capturing the wild beauty of its tropical habitat.
CR005 - This green iguana basks in the warm sunlight, stretched comfortably along a sturdy tree branch, his scales shimmering in the gentle rays of the sun.
CR006 - The elusive American pygmy kingfisher perches quietly by a Costa Rican stream, his vibrant colors and tiny frame making it a rare and enchanting sight in the dense waterside foliage.
CR007 - This howler monkey lets out a deep, resonant howl, the throat vibrating as the powerful sound cuts through the forest, echoing across the canopy and marking its presence with undeniable intensity.
CR008 - Green Violet-ear (Colibri thalassinus) hovers delicately, iridescent feathers shimmering as it feeds from vibrant blooming flowers, a jewel like flash amid the lush greenery.
CR009 - During our visit with my son, we were incredibly fortunate to encounter an albino howler monkey, affectionately known as Blondie. We captured several wonderful images of her and her baby, a rare and unforgettable sight in the wild.
CR010 - Pair of masked tree frog nestles safely, encircled by a leaf that forms its natural hideaway, a perfect shelter for the night amid the quiet of the forest.
CR011 - The splendid quetzal, with its vibrant plumage and elusive nature, presents a thrilling challenge for photographers, rewarding patience with a glimpse of one of the most iconic birds of the forest. I was able to take some amazing shots while he was feeding on a lizard.
CR012 - This manta ray leaps gracefully from the water as it migrates through the Catalina Islands, the splash and sunlight capturing the dynamic energy and beauty of this rare moment in the wild.
CR013 - Couple of Glasswing butterflies (Godyris nero) rests delicately on a leaf in Costa Rica, their translucent wings catching the light as it prepares to lay eggs, a fragile marvel of the rainforest.
CR014 - Crocodile who lies motionless on the riverbank, basking in the warm sunlight, its rough, scaly skin glinting as it soaks up the day’s heat.
CR015 - Black Guan perches quietly in the dense canopy, the dark plumage blending with the foliage as it surveys the forest from high above.
CR016 - Rufous eyed brook tree frog rests peacefully on a leaf, the striking eyes and delicate body blending harmoniously with the lush greenery around it.
CR017 - Image of the Violet Sabrewing, one of Costa Rica’s largest hummingbirds.
CR018 - Jesus christ lizard , what a beauty
CR019 - A small boat is silhouetted against the fiery hues of the setting sun, its dark outline drifting peacefully as the sky glows in deep reds and oranges.
CR020 - On the way to Guápiles, a mountain stream caught my eye, its waters flowing steadily through the riverbed, tinted yellow by the sediment carried from upstream another striking reminder of nature’s ever changing landscapes.
CR021 - People stroll along the beach, their silhouettes dark against the fiery red and orange hues of the setting sun, creating a serene and dramatic coastal scene.
CR022 - A Golden-eyed Leaf Frog (Cruziohyla calcarifer) perches calmly on a leaf, its striking green and yellow coloration blending beautifully with the foliage, while its vivid golden eyes seem to glow in the dappled light.
CR023 - From another angle.
CR024 - Purple Gallinule stands nestled in the heart of a flowering palm tree, its vivid plumage contrasting brilliantly with the lush green leaves and colorful blossoms around it.