there are several hundred different types of birds in Kruger. Some of the ones we photographed are: European Roller which migrate from Northern Europe; Fish Eagle; Burchell’s Starling; Woodland Kingfisher; and Southern Ground Hornbill. Continue reading Birds of Kruger National Park
It was our intention to photograph Kruger animals. To push ourselves, to improve our technical skills, to pay attention to composition, to find a spectacular shot. And at the end of the day, it was all about waiting, staying quiet enough for the animals to forget that you are there, and then they carried out with their normal lives – which was spectacular . . … Continue reading A Photo Safari in Kruger – Jan 31 – Feb 7
Next . . .Happened pretty quickly, back in our bungalow, at Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp, gate closes at 6:30), we were exploring our new digs, roundels, the South African holiday house found in all the rest camps at Kruger. Low, round and with a giant veranda it usually over looks the river on which the rest camp is situated. This was the case for Crocodile … Continue reading The Roundells – South Africa style – Kruger National Park
It all began with such a flurry of activity. Land in Johannesburg, organize phone and data plans, exchange currency, rent the car, remember to drive on the left side of the road, go 5 hours east, grocery shop, gate check, room finding. Check, done, ok that worked, next. . . . . And then it was done – well, except for animals of course, the … Continue reading Kruger National Park, South Africa – January 31 – February 7, 2013
We depart Denver early on the 18th and arrive Qatar on the evening of the 19th. Our longest flight leg is 16 hours from Washington Dulles to Doha Qatar non stop. We were in Doha for Kians’ 12th Birthday. Here are the three top Doha attractions rated by their Grandparents…. Arrived safely, in bed, Saturday night at 10:30pm Doha time. On January 30 we fly … Continue reading Doha, Qatar – January 18 – 30, 2013
The pins on this map show where we have traveled during our 3 month trip to Costa Rica and Panama. Continue reading Wonder where we have been
In the course of our travels there were often butterflies, the blue morphs were gorgeous in nature, but oh so hard to photograph. Those butterflies move fast! A butterfly pavilion became a checklist item, not only to revisit the the wonders of winged creatures, but to enjoy the art of photography; our new avocation. We even saw butterflies hatching, there are a couple of photos … Continue reading La Paz Butterfly Pavillon, CR – January 11, 2013
This rainforest area is located 1 1/2 hours outside San Jose on the side of the Poas Volcano. It is a wildlife refuge center, a butterfly pavilion and has a series of waterfalls over hundreds of acres. Once again, David and I find it as an opportunity to photograph under a large variety of conditions and yet enjoy the beauty of the day and this … Continue reading La Paz Waterfall Gardens, CR – January 11, 2013
We loved our first visit to the El Manatial Macaw Sanctuary we took a detour on our way to San Jose to make a second visit. Check out the mating Macaws. The first visit to the macaws was so wonderful, so colorful, so inspiring, and so photogenic that we decided on a do-over. What a fun afternoon! The birds are so much fun to photograph, … Continue reading Colorful Macaws Part 2, CR – January 8, 2013
Less than a week left. We are in an apartment for this week. American tv, kitchen, barBque and more. It is on a hill over looking San Jose. Yesterday went to see a movie. Great Internet is allowing us to plan future trips. We have some more planning to do for Africa. Then Alaska and Antarctica and South America. We are also working on Europe … Continue reading San Jose, CR – January 8 – 15, 2013
Corcovado is a National Park on the Osa Peninsula in southwestern Costa. It was established on 24 October 1975, and encompasses an area of 263 mi. It is widely considered the crown jewel in the extensive system of national parks and biological reserves spread across the country. The ecological variety is quite stunning. National Geographic has called it “the most biologically intense place on Earth … Continue reading Corcovado National Park, CR – December 30 – January 2
If I knew life by candle lite would be this much fun I would be less nervous. This lodge abuts Coronado National park, the most ecologically diverse park on earth I think because it has never been developed, this is primary rainforest and is huge. The family who owns the lodge has 100 hectares, and a 20 tent camp. The pathways around the grounds are … Continue reading La Leona Lodge, CR – December 30 – January 2, 2013
David is nervous, 5 days without electricity, and his only strategy is to charge his world before he goes. Laptops, iPads, big cameras, little cameras, water cameras you get the idea . . . . . . Note to self, pack the flashlight. Will be deep in the jungle and rain Forrest in Costa Ricas’ Corcovado National Park in the Osa Penninsula. Check it out … Continue reading Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica and into the land of no electricity – Dec 29 – Jan 2
Golf carts, and taxis, and buses, and walking, more taxis, a minibus, a border crossing, a speed boat, a horse cart for the luggage, and a 3 km walk down the beach for people. Now that is a transit. And it really takes 3 days of nonstop travel. Continue reading In-transit Panama to Costa Rica – December 27-29, 2012
Just outside Panama City again and time to go through the must do list. Birds, that is what has made this part of Panama so famous, something like 900 species. The most famous spot is “pipeline road” and some of the canopies in that area have radar towers left from the American Panama Canal era. You look DOWN from 100 feet on the rainforest, and … Continue reading Gamboa/Jungle Land, Panama – Dec 20-21, 2012
Boquete is the end of our road in Panama before we turn around and return to Panama City. The holidays are quickly approaching. This small sleepy town of coffee plantations can lure you in. Located in the mountains, it is cool and dry, the expats are very friendly and are living a panama dream here just as lovely as the beach people, but with an … Continue reading Boquete, Panama – December 15-19, 2012
Amid the background of Central American activities ancient and spectacular, is to find a new cultural phenomena — a North American expat community. What exactly attracts those snow birds, is it like Florida? Grey haired drivers wielding golf carts? How will you recognize one? Is it expensive, is it for us? Well you recognize the highway bill boards with names of housing areas. Words like … Continue reading Playa Coronado, Panama – December 12 – 15, 2012
Contadora is an island approximately 30 miles off Panama City. It is the get away community for the richest of people. The Shah of Iran had his house here, Jimmy Carter, the Donald (as in Trump), Panamanian Ambassador and vice president, Oprah, now . . . Karen and David. Well, ok, maybe just a room. This has also been home to 39 seasons of Survivor. … Continue reading Isla Contadora, Panama – December 22-26, 2012
Just a few hours outside of Panama City, is a town built inside of a caldera. Located just off the Pan American highway, you drive up a very steep road, summit the ridge of the ancient volcano and then down again into the caldera. It reminds me of Ngorongoro crater where life is lived within the very fertile soils left behind as a result of … Continue reading El Valle de Anton, Panama – December 11 – 12, 2012
Today was a day straight out of National Geographic magazine. More than ten years ago, several families of Embera indians original from the remote rainforest tribes of Darien’s jungle migrated to Chagres River’s bank, situated at less than hour and half from Panama City. The villages are built on a small rise, set approximately 100 feet in from the river. The houses of the village … Continue reading Embera Village, Panama – December 10, 2012
The ship ported an hour north of Panama City, in Colon. Carl, Julie, Dave and I rented a 3 bedroom condo in the city and toured from there, walking along the broad walks next to the sea investigating the ruins of the original Panama City, sacked by Captain Morgan of the famous rum brand. The night view from our apartment was breath taking. As you … Continue reading Panama City – December 8 – 11, 2012