123

COSTA RICA SCARLET MACAW

PHOTO WORKSHOP EXTENSION
DEC. 11-12, 2020

OSA PENINSULA

COSTA RICA

This Scarlet Macaw Photo Workshop Extension begins immediately at the conclusion of the Rainforests of Costa Rica Photo Workshop.

Our Scarlet Macaw Photo Workshops are led by professional wildlife and conservation photographer Roy Toft and are dedicated to experiencing and photographing the exceptionally beautiful Scarlet Macaw on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica. These magnificent bright red, yellow, and blue Macaws can be seen at a specific, pristine area deep in the heart of the rainforest on the southwest coast of the Osa Peninsula.

In the remote village of Carate is the secluded Lookout-Inn Lodge and where a large concentration of Scarlet Macaws are located. This is where our two-day Scarlet Macaw Photo Workshop takes place.

If you had previously joined us on the Rainforests of Costa Rica Photo Workshop, we leave the Bosque del Cabo ecolodge in Cabo Matapalo and drive by 4×4 taxi deeper into the rainforest towards Costa Rica’s Corcovado National Park. Before we reach the end of the route 245 is where we stop as we have reached the Lookout Inn!

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Ability to photograph scarlet macaws!
  • Participants have opportunities to photograph the four species of monkeys, Capuchin, Spider, Mantled Howler, and the endangered Squirrel monkey, as well as the many other animals and birds that call the Osa their home.
  • Bird photographers will be delighted as there is an enormous variety of tropical birds that live in the rainforest jungle.
  • Possible Olive Ridley sea turtle hatchlings!
  • Observe and photograph toucans, red-lored parrots, hummingbirds, tanagers, and many more.

$750.00

Out of stock

OSA, WHERE THE RAINFOREST MEETS THE SEA

ITINERARY

  • Day 1

    Dec. 11, 2020

    Cabo Matapalo – Carate

    This photo workshop extension begins immediately after conclusion of the Rainforests of Costa Rica workshop.

    We leave the Bosque del Cabo Lodge early morning and travel 1.5 hrs by 4×4 taxi further into the rainforest towards Carate, where the Lookout Inn Lodge is located. We arrive in the late morning to this remote lodge and after a brief orientation and lunch, we will immediately get to work photographing the magnificent Scarlet Macaws.

  • Day 2

    Dec. 12, 2020

    Lookout Inn – Carate

    This is a full-day photographing scarlet macaws and the endless flora and fauna unique to the rainforests of the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica.

  • Day 3

    Dec. 13, 2020

    Carate – Puerto Jimenez – San Jose

    Early morning departure from Lookout Inn to Puerto Jimenez and then catch a flight to San Jose. Arrive at SJO airport around 1pm for flight back home or stay extra night in San Jose and depart home anytime on Dec. 10.

1
2
3
1

Leave Bosque del Cabo Rainforest Ecolodge (Cabo Matapalo) for Lookout Inn (Carate)

2

Lookout Inn Lodge (Carate).

3

Puerto Jimenez to San Jose

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP EXPECTATIONS

Our goal is to observe and photograph Scarlet Macaws, which will include shots in-flight, feeding and courtship behavior. Like most wildlife, Scarlet Macaw activity is unpredictable.

The Lookout Inn Lodge’s location is known for its Scarlet Macaws and we will do our best to photograph them. We should also have the opportunity to photograph several kinds of monkeys, including the endangered Squirrel Monkey. Other photographic subjects include colorful birds like the Cherie’s Tanager, Red-legged Honeycreepers, Toucans, and assorted hummingbirds.

About the Osa Peninsula

Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula is truly a special place. Considered one the world’s most biodiverse regions, this remote area of southwestern Costa Rica harbors 2.5% of the biodiversity of the entire planet!

Located on the Southern Pacific coast in the Puntarenas Province, this pristine peninsula is bound on the northwest by Drake Bay, on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the east by the Golfo Dulce. The Osa Peninsula offers secluded beaches, untouched scenery, abundant wildlife, including many endangered and threatened species, and a complex system of freshwater and marine resources.

The main town on the peninsula is Puerto Jimenez, which has its own airport and provides access via highway 245 to the coastal villages of Cabo Matapalo and Carate. Carate, an extremely small white sandy beach village where the Lookout Inn ecolodge is located, also has a small landing strip where private charter planes bring visitors from Puerto Jimenez, Drake Bay or other areas from within Costa Rica.

Occupying about of third of the Osa Peninsula is Corcovado National Park, which is the largest park in Costa Rica and encompasses an area of around 162 square miles.

In a remote and lush corner of Costa Rica, lies a realm of giant trees, roaring monkeys, jaguars on the prowl, and breaching whales. This is on the the last places on Earth where virgin rainforest grows right to the high tide line, and a visitor might walk for hours – or days – along its isolated coast without meeting a single person. This the the Osa Peninsula and there is no other place in the world like it. – “Osa, Where the Rainforest Meets the Sea”

LODGING

Lookout Inn Rainforest Lodge

The secluded Lookout Inn is nestled against a rainforest hillside on one side and a black sand beach on the other. It’s located at the end of route 245 in the tiny remote town of Carate, which is generally the last stop for adventurous travelers planning on hiking into Corcovado National Park.

With its tree house rooms and spacious cabanas, the Lookout Inn is truly a unique private setting for this scarlet macaw bird photography workshop. The best part of staying at this rainforest lodge is the sheer number of endangered scarlet macaws and other rainforest wildlife that can be observed from the Inn’s deck or even your open-air room!

Lodge Highlights Include

  • Private, spacious bungalows, all boasting ocean views and tropical breezes
  • Hiking trails leading through the rainforest to deserted beaches on both the Pacific Ocean and Golfo Dulce
  • Open-air restaurant serves 3 delicious meals daily, all meals are included

LEADERS

Roy Toft

Roy Toft

Photo Workshop Leader

Roy Toft is one of the world’s most highly accomplished wildlife photographers, in addition to being a biologist, natural-history educator, and a Senior Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP).

Roy has been photographing the wildlife in Costa Rica’s beautiful Osa Peninsula rainforest for over 20 years. He has also co-authored the book, "Osa: Where the Rainforest Meets the Sea," which documents one of the last remaining rainforests on the planet.

International League of Conservation Photographers

Osa, Where the Rainforest Meets the Sea

GALLERY

PRICING

2020 Workshop Price

*Photographer: $750 USD (Per person, based on double occupancy)
*Non-Photographer: $650 USD (Rate for non-participating friend/spouse/etc)
*Single-Supplement: $100 USD (Single occupancy)

Workshop Includes:

  • Daily photographic instruction by Roy Toft
  • Experienced Guide
  • 4×4 taxi to and from Puerto Jiminez and Lookout Inn Lodge
  • Lookout Inn Lodging, including meals (bar drinks excluded)

Workshop Excludes:

  • Air Transportation to and from San Jose, Costa Rica
  • Air Transportation to and from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez
  • Transportation to and from San Jose International Airport
  • Hotel night in San Jose
  • Activities outside workshop instruction
  • Bar or gift purchases

Deposit Policy

25% deposit is required at time of registration. Another 25% is due within 120 days of start of workshop and the remaining 50% is due within 90 days of start of program. Please view our Policies page for more information regarding deposits and price policies.

Cancellation Policy

Toft Photo Safaris cancellation and refund policy can be viewed on our Policies and Terms & Condition pages.

Travel Insurance Recommended

We strongly suggest Trip or Travel Insurance to all our guests to cover any unseen situations occurring prior to or during the trip which would cause losses not covered by our policy.

Travel insurance for this workshop is not mandatory, however please consider obtaining Trip or Travel Insurance to cover eventualities which may cause travel difficulties or losses you may incur, of which neither Lookout Inn Lodge nor Toft Photo Safaris are responsible.

For travel insurance recommendations, please view our Policies page.

* For More Information Regarding Photographers, Non-Photographers, and Single Supplement descriptions, please view our Policies page.

My husband and I were part of Roy’s workshop in Costa Rica this year. I am a new photographer, and many in the group were more experienced; Roy was able to give everyone guidance at their own level. He was constantly supportive, and then moved me up several steps in the quality of my pictures. “ Go for the gusto shot“. I learned to look at the world in different ways and perspectives not only from Roy but from the work of the other attendees. The two eco-resorts were truly set in a paradise of rainforest, with scarlet macaws dancing across the sky, monkeys tumbling through the tree tops, and tiny gems of frogs waiting to be discovered along the forest trails and around the ponds. I was excited, inspired, and both body and soul were very well fed! I will definitely travel with Roy Toft again!

Linda P.

PACKING LIST

PACKING LIST FOR COSTA RICA PHOTO WORKSHOPS

Below are some general suggestions that can serve as guidelines for your planning. Please bear in mind that, as mentioned above, there are luggage restrictions of between 15 kg (33 lbs.) and 20 kg (44 lbs.), in a soft bag with no wheels, frames or rigid structures.

CLOTHING

In Costa Rica December marks the beginning of their dry season. Daytime temperatures are usually in the upper 80s to low 90s.  Rains are much less frequent and usually only a passing shower in the late afternoon or early evening if at all. in December is humid so we would like to suggest that you pack accordingly. Many sports stores sell lightweight practical outdoor wear suitable for the rainforest. We recommend:

  • T-shirts – natural fibers like cotton, hemp, wool, or bamboo
  • Long-sleeved cotton shirts to protect you from mosquitos and the sun
  • Shorts – quick drying
  • Long pants – quick-drying, zip-off/convertible pants are an excellent option
  • Light rain jacket or rain poncho
  • Water shoes or Teva type of sandals
  • Shoes – light hiking/walking shoes
  • Socks – bring a few extra pairs if you plan on wearing closed-toe shoes
  • Sun hat
  • Bandana
  • Swimsuit
  • Sunscreen
  • We recommend only bringing quick-dry synthetic fabrics if possible

EQUIPMENT/OTHER

  • Good quality sunglasses, UV protected, preferably polarized. Tinted fashion glasses are not good in strong light.
  • Flashlight. A headlamp is especially practical.
  • Personal toiletries (basic amenities are supplied by most establishments).
  • Moisturizing cream and suntan lotion – SPF 30 or higher recommended.
  • Insect repellent for body application, e.g. Tabard, Rid, Jungle Juice, etc.
  • Basic medical kit (aspirins, plasters, Imodium, antiseptic cream and antihistamine cream, etc.)
  • Tissues/Wet Wipes.
  • Camera equipment including spare batteries, chargers, film, flash cards, memory sticks, etc.
  • Waterproof bag or cover for your camera.
  • We highly recommend that you bring your own pair of binoculars for viewing both wildlife and birds. The recommended general purpose binocular specifications are 8×40 or 10×42.

CAMERA GEAR

  • 2 DSLR bodies (that you know well and work properly)
  • 300 or 400mm medium lens
  • 24mm (or under) wide lens
  • Sturdy tripod with gimbal head and mount that fits camera bodies
  • Polarizer filter(s)
  • Batteries and charger, memory cards, USB drive/stick to transfer image to free up memory cards. Bring owner’s manuals!
  • Waterproof bag to cover camera & bodies when it rains