Wildlife

Warrior

This bull elk was roaming around its herd when it decided to rest, while still remaining vigilant of the surroundings. The antlers of this warrior were as impressive as the injuries it had around its eyes; probably from previous battles with other bull elk. When a foolish human got too close to one of the cow elks, it made it clear to stay away with its loud call.

Dandelions for Dinner

Image taken in Kootenay National Park, British Columbia, Canada, along highway 93. A black bear was peacefully eating dandelions in the late afternoon and I was able to capture some images from my car using my telephoto lens. From the series this is my favorite composition where you can see the black bear in a roaming position with a dandelion in its mouth; the angle adds interest to the image. I like the light shining in its back which gives a rich contrast with the black hair. You can also notice in the composition some yellow dandelions which are a key element of the bear’s environment.

Bull Moose

A Bull Moose in Spray Valley Provincial Park, Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada. This moose was feeding together with a cow moose and a young bull moose. After a while this big guy decided to lay down and rest. I took this image with a telephoto lens from the roof of my car by opening the moonroof, allowing me to get an interesting composition.

Wapiti's Call

Image of a Bull Elk (Wapiti) in Jasper National Park, Alberta, near Jasper downtown. This elk was feeding next to the road. With my telephoto lens I decided to move to get a different angle. I was lucky enough to get it right in the moment when it was calling a Cow Elk.

Hopeful Ram

This image was taken in Kootenay National Park, British Columbia, Canada, near the Radium hot springs. A group of bighorn sheep were feeding from the plants next to the road. From all the images I took this one is my favorite. With my telephoto lens I captured this portrait where the ram is gazing at the sky and seems to be looking for hope.

Pika

My wife and I were hiking the Kokanee Glacier trail in British Columbia, Canada, when we heard some Pikas! They live at high altitudes on the rockies, under rocks formations and it's hard to see them because of how well their fur blends with the rocks. However, it is easy to hear their loud high-pitched call.

Innocence

Puerto Adolfo López Mateos is a fabulous site for gray whale watching. It is located in Comondú, Baja California Sur, México. The offshore barrier created by Isla Magdalena makes it a safe place for whales to give birth. Since I knew we had a good chance of getting close to the whales, I wanted to capture their peaceful essence by getting a closeup of an eye. We were fortunate enough to get very close to a mom and a curious baby. This image represents exactly what I envisioned, the innocent look of a baby gray whale emerging from the ocean.

Green Basilisk

During one of my trips to Sarapiquí in Costa Rica, I saw this Green Basilisk on a nearby tree. It was very still, waiting for some sun. I find this lizard fascinating with its crest, which makes it look like a mini dinosaur. In this image you can see it shedding some skin off its tail. Green Basilisks are also called "Jesus Christ Lizard" due to their ability to run on water.

Resplendent Quetzal

I lived in Costa Rica for 32 years of my life and never saw a Quetzal because I never went looking for one. After moving to Canada and starting with photography, I realized how I missed many amazing opportunities and experiences because you take things for granted. This is my first official Resplendent Quetzal image taken in San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica. This male was feeding and perching on an "aguacatillo" tree which is a a fruit of the avocado family. Males have four extended uppertail coverts up to 76cm long. In this image its tail was hiding behind some branches so I decided to compose focusing on its amazing red and green feathers that cover its body. Don't take things for granted and go enjoy the things that surround you wherever you live.

Keel-billed Toucan

Keel-billed toucans are one of the most striking birds you can see in Costa Rica. The multicolored bill is so unique that it is easy to understand why many people travel looking for this species. The contrast of green, yellow, orange, blue and red colors on its bill is wonderful. The yellow feathers on its throat and chest have an outer red ring that separates them from the black feathers on the rest of its body. On top of all these, its feet are blue! A magnificent bird that will always be a great subject to photograph. This image was taken in Sarapiquí, Costa Rica.

Yellow-throated Toucan

The Yellow-throated Toucan is the largest toucan species in Costa Rica. This bird used to be called "Black-mandidbled Toucan". Very easy to distinguish from Keel-billed Toucan by its yellow and brown bill. For this image the Toucan was perching under the rain, very peacefully, almost like enjoying a shower. The effect of the rain on the background and the wet feathers of the Toucan give this image some sort of nostalgic feeling that I like. Boca Tapada, Costa Rica.

Great Kiskadee Crown

Great Kiskadees are common in Costa Rica, they are called "Pecho Amarillo" which translates to "Yellow Chest" because of their front yellow feathers. It is not often that you can see their amazing yellow crown. I wanted to compose an image where you can see the crown from the front and from the back. The image on the left shows the bird under the rain exposing the crown to clean it; the image on the right shows a moment where the bird was exposing it to scare other birds. I was lucky to capture both moments in Sarapiquí, Costa Rica.

Scarlet Macaw

Scarlet Macaw is the biggest parrot you can find in Costa Rica. The average size is 35 inches or 89cm. One of the most colorful and striking birds I have seen. Easy to distinguish from far away thanks to its bright red, yellow and blue feathers. A master piece of Mother Nature. I was lucky to find a group of these parrots in a low Almendro Tree. They were quite busy feeding, giving me the chance to capture both still images and video. Sarapiquí, Costa Rica.

Brown-hooded Parrot Eating Plantain

A Brown-hooded Parrot eating plantain in Boca Tapada, San Carlos, Costa Rica

Song Sparrow

Sparrows are small birds with a conical bill. Being able to identify them is a skill you develop with practice. They may look very similar to the inexperienced birder, however they each have distinct characteristics. Song Sparrows are usually found near water and in open bushy areas. I captured this image of a Song Sparrow (Melospiza Melodia) during a spring morning, while I was walking next to a river. I could hear its beautiful song and eventually saw it hopping between branches. I decided to sit down and quietly setup my camera, letting the bird get used to me. I spent probably 15 minutes with this little guy while it was singing its heart out. It was a magnificent private performance! Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

King Vulture

Getting close up to a King Vulture is hard since usually they perch on the top of tall trees. They are easily distinguished from other vultures thanks to its black and white plumage pattern. This image of an adult King Vulture was taken from a blind in Boca Tapada, San Carlos, Costa Rica. It was a neat and intense experience since I had to stay absolutely quiet while close enough to appreciate and photograph this huge bird. I would say this bird is both beautiful and strange looking. The pale iris makes a magnificent contrast with the red eye ring and the orange and red colors you can see on its neck, throat and bill.

Ornate Hawk-Eagle

One of the three Hawk-Eagle species found in Costa Rica. This Ornate Hawk-Eagle was hunting, waiting for a prey to show up and then dove into the forest trying to capture something. I was delighted with this amazing bird for half an hour, it wasn't easy to follow but when it perched looking for a prey I took advantage of the opportunity to capture some great images and video. The intense look on its eyes and the size of the talons are the main things I like from this image. Boca Tapada, Costa Rica.

Great Horned Owl

It is always exciting when you are out in the field looking for wildlife and then you find a fascinating animal like an owl. Great Horned Owls have excellent camouflage, making them very hard to find. They are nocturnal which also complicates seeing them during the day when they are inactive. Their intense look with their yellow eyes is something that captivates you.

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

While I was photographing other larger birds, this little Rufous-tailed Hummingbird kept coming back to the same spot. I was able to capture this moment while it was stretching, showing its iridescent green throat feathers and its rufous tail. Sarapiqui, Costa Rica.

Hummingbird

A tiny hummingbird chilling on a branch. This image was taken in San Jose, Costa Rica. The branch helps with the composition by placing the hummingbird off-centered towards the right. The blurred background emphasizes the main subject in focus. Warm light from the afternoon enhanced the green and yellow colors captured. This image was shot handheld, I'm happy with the results.

Diving

White-necked Jacobin hummingbird. From this angle the hummingbird looks like it is diving, feeding from the flower. The green, blue and white feathers are a nice contrast with the blurred background. Image taken in Costa Rica.

Black-crested Coquette

Black-crested Coquette hummingbirds have a unique characteristic, long black crest feathers. Photographing hummingbirds is very challenging, specially on flight. They are extremely fast and rarely stay in the same place. For this one I waited patiently until I got a good shot while it was feeding from a flower. Sarapiquí, Costa Rica.

Green Honeycreeper

Portrait of a Green Honeycreeper. Beautiful bird with turquoise and black colors. An amazing contrast from Mother Nature. Scientific name: Chlorophanes Spiza. Image taken in Sarapiquí, Costa Rica.

Yellow-headed Blackbird

The Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus), has a strong golden yellow color on its chest and head. The rest of the feathers are black except for white patches on its wings. Image taken in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.