ALL ABOUT Wildlife Photography - Part II

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FAQS About Wildlife Photography in the Amazon – Part II

After FAQs About Wildlife Photography in the Amazon – Part I, here is the second part where rather than provide an exhaustive list of all my equipment,  I will break it down by category. Exhaustive equipment reviews and “tips, tricks, and techniques” have been written about, so I’ll just include one or two personal insights I have gleaned from my experience for each category.

Macro Photography

Lens Flash Misc.
Canon MPE-65mm Canon MT-24EX twin flash Canon 12mm Ext. tubes
Canon 100mm f/2.8 L Olympus ST-F8 twin flash Raynox DCR-250 diopter
Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 II L Canon 600 EX-RT + Yongnuo RT triggers Tripod + Focusing rail

 

The nighttime macro will allow for you to better control the light, and to approach the subject much closer than would otherwise be possible during the day. Diopters, macro couplers, extension tubes, bellows, reverse lens mounts, etc. require just a bit of planning and testing, but are otherwise significantly cheaper than a dedicated macro lens, and can achieve comparable results.

 

Pirate Spider

 

A pirate spider (Gelanor sp.) has stalked and killed an araneid in its web. Photographed with Canon Mpe-65mm lens + Olympus ST-F8 twin flash from Posada Amazonas.

parasitoid wasp (Eupelmidae)

parasitoid wasp (Eupelmidae)

A parasitoid wasp (Eupelmidae) lays its eggs in a larva within a tree trunk. Canon Mpe-65mm lens + Olympus ST-F8 twin flash from Posada Amazonas.

Caiman

Juvenile spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodylus)  photographed with Canon 100mm f/2.8 lens + single diffused flash. Photo from the Tambopata Research Centre.

Amazon tree boa (Corallus hortulanus)

Amazon tree boa (Corallus hortulanus) photographed with Canon 100mm f/2.8 lens + single diffused flash. Photo from the Tambopata Research Centre.

 

Wildlife Photography: Bird / Mammal

Lens Misc.
Canon 300mm f/2.8L IS I Tripod with Wimberley head
Canon 1.4X TC Binoculars
Canon 2X TC Remote shutter (smartphone App.)

 

Telephoto lenses are an expensive investment and an indispensable tool; however, one can still manage relatively well with cheaper, high-quality optics and teleconverters. A faster (lower f/ stop lens) is especially useful in the dark rainforest understory, and when combined with teleconverters, this will allow for a certain degree of flexibility and more unique perspectives as well.

Rufescent Tiger Heron

 

This striated heron was photographed with an effective focal length of 600mm (Canon 300mm f/2.8 + 2X TC) from a boat on Tres Chimbadas lake, near Posada Amazonas.

 

When shooting from a motorized boat, one should bring a zoom lens rather than a prime (fixed focal length), as one has less control over the approach and framing. Make sure that the lens has been kept dry overnight/before the boat trip (otherwise the temp./humidity change between your room and the open boat will fog your lens and potentially ruin the opportunity).

Jaguar near the river

Jaguar sighting near the river By Paul Bertner

 

puma launched itself down the riverbank A puma launched itself down the riverbank at a group of capybaras on the way back to Puerto Maldonado

A puma launched itself down the riverbank at a group of capybaras on the way back to Puerto Maldonado. Shot handheld with a Canon 300mm f/2.8 lens from the boat. A 100-400 zoom lens would have provided a better overall picture, including the capybaras.

Capybara in the Peruvian Amazon

Capybaras huddled around their mother in the wake of the Puma attack

 

Landscape

Lens Misc.
Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 L II Lee 100×100 foundational filter set
Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Circular Polarizer)s)
Tripod + ball head

 

I personally find landscapes to be very challenging and I often need to plan ahead or else revisit a site multiple times in order to take advantage of climatic conditions, the position of the sun, cloud, fog, etc…

 

Filters and a steady tripod are a staple in landscape photography and are especially important gear to have in the bag (even as so-called digital filters are becoming increasingly powerful). One should be prepared to shoot in the rain and have numerous microfibre cloths to wipe down the front element.

Tormenta at Tambopata

Lightning strikes announce an impending storm during the rainy season at the TRC. Taken with a 16-35mm lens in the rain.

Tambopata landscape photography

Tambopata landscape photography by Paul Bertner

 

After all these, you should be thinking How Paul’s photography equipment looks like?

A multi-month project often involves a variety of specialty tools. While working in Ecuador, and subsequently with Rainforest Expeditions in Peru, I required several suitcases worth of equipment to accommodate in-situ, studio, camera trapping, and drone photography. wildlife photography wildlife photography wildlife photography 

 

I’m sure you be making your own packing list for your next adventure and I would love to know what you will be bringing to that wildlife photography expedition. So leave me a comment below.

 

I will leave you guys with my portfolio where you can see part of my work: https://rainforests.smugmug.com/

 

And remember if you want to do some wildlife photographing and you have the chance to visit Peru, don’t hesitate to visit the Amazon of Tambopata and contact my friend of Rainforest Expeditions.

by Paul Bertner 
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Such a wonderful experience deep in a part of the Amazon, Tambopata NP. They really involve you with what is happening at the research centre with evening lectures. The meals are outstanding and the rooms are comfortable and I had the best sleep. Dino our guide was outstanding. The river trip to see the Macaw claylicks was a beautiful outing. We saw Capybaras along the river and it was very scenic. The staff are friendly and very engaging. As a tour operator who sends clients to AFRICA for safari, I was hugely satisfied. Thank you, gracious. Food & drinks: Good was simply delicious Read all

An amazing experience in the Peruvian jungle. the information about the centre was very accurate so I knew what to expect but was blown away by the experience and competence of my guide for the four nights, Juan Carlos Yatto. JC was looking for birds for me from the moment he collected me at the airport, so we saw birds on the drive and on the boat ride as well as on the excursions themselves. I was in Peru three weeks and JC was my best guide by far. Don't miss the clay licks for sure, and the tower is also well worth the climb. Food and people are wonderful and the research very interesting. Read all

Das Tambopata Research Center ist eine wunderbare Lodge im Nationalpark Tambopata. Die charmanten, miteinander verbundenen Aufenthaltsräume und Zimmer befinden sich auf hölzernen Stelzen. Bei den offenen Gemeinschaftsräumen gibt es gemütliche Sitzecken, eine wunderbare Hängemattenrelaxzone und einen herrlichen Restaurantbereich, wo zu jeder Zeit Tee, Kaffee und Wasser zur Verfügung stehen. Die stilvollen Zimmer verfügen über bequeme Betten mit Moskitonetz und moderne, saubere Duschbereiche. Die Research Center Lodge mit den Forschungseinrichtungen liegt inmitten des Regenwaldes umgeben von der reinen Natur mit der fantastischen Flora und Fauna, welche dort auch weiterhin erforscht und geschützt wird. Jeden Abend gibt es dazu sehr interessante Vorträge. Die Mitarbeiter sind sehr freundlich, offen und zuvorkommend. Die Buffets waren sehr köstlich und reichhaltig mit Gerichten aus der Region. Es wird großer Wert auf ökologische und nachhaltig umweltschonende Bewirtschaftung gelegt. Von der Lodge aus ist es möglich, mit ausgebildeten Guides in Gruppen von maximal 6 Personen verschiedene Exkursionen zu machen. Speziell Timo war ausgesprochen freundlich, auf unsere Sicherheit bedacht, ging auf die individuellen Interessen der einzelnen Personen ein und vermittelte uns in seiner kompetenten Art umfangreiches Wissen über die Pflanzen- und Tierwelt. Er hatte dabei die wunderbare Fähigkeit, versteckte Wildtiere zu entdecken, und verschaffte uns wunderschöne Momente, auch durch das mitgetragene Teleskop, wodurch wir der Tierwelt näher sein konnten. So sahen wir u.a. Brüllaffen, Kapuzineraffen und Spideraffen mit ihren Kindern, viele Vögel insbesondere Papageien wie z.B. Scharlach- und Gelbbauch-Aras sowie Wasserschweine und verschiedene Insekten. Wir können diese wunderbare Lodge absolut weiterempfehlen. Die herrliche Tier- und Pflanzenwelt in dem wunderbar erhaltenen und geschützten Regenwald des Amazonas war auf unserer Peru-Reise ein wirklich fantastisches Erlebnis! Read all

Rainforest Expeditions is a wonderful company and the Posadas Amazonas lodge is a beautiful location to spend your time in the Amazon. The staff are all incredibly kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. The tours were very fun and we saw lots of animals including River otters, monkeys, birds, and capybaras. We loved our guide Luis and all the people we met. The food was delicious and locally grown and there was never a dull moment. Would highly recommend! Read all

I went to Posada as part of a wider group trip, so did not pay for it directly. The lodge feels very far from anywhere and yet it feels incredibly safe. The rooms are open to nature, but nothing was ever damaged (use the safe boxes as advised, especially for food - not that you'll need any - the catering is excellent, with plenty of vegetarian options, and snacks are also provided between meals). There are flushing toilets, incredible shower facilities and the beds are very comfortable with mosquito nets placed at night by the staff. Drinking water vats are strategicvally placed throughout the lodge but you may have a long-ish walk to the common areas through corridors. Some parts of the corridors are open to the elements, but umbrellas are provided everywhere in case of rain. There is obviously no air conditioning, but this helps you acclimatise. The lodge is run by a family and others from the Infierno community, which gives the place a homely feel, with resident tour guides and a local geologist for citizen science projects. Massage services are available and there is a local shop for souvenirs and essentials like bug spray, clothing and torches. Tons of activities can be arranged, but it's also nice to relax in the hammocks and common areas and listen to the sounds of nature. While this hotel is not going to be for everyone, I had the most incredible time! Read all

The place to go if you want to see Macaws in the Peruvian rainforest. We stayed at the Tambopata Reaearch Centre (TRC) for three days and had Juan Carlos Yatto as our guide for the duration of our stay. We loved the mission of the TRC ie Macaw conservation and the link between Macaw nest site availability and the overall health of the rainforest. Juan Carlos Yatto (there is another JC at the research centre) was a fantastic guide and really made a difference to our experience at the TRC. His knowledge of the different species of wildlife and plants was amazing, his ability to spot things in the day or at night was phenomenal and he really made things accessible for our group. His English is excellent (including great humour when appropriate) and is a super guy. I really do recommend the TRC abd Juan Carlos Yatto as a guide. We saw an abundance of wildlife of all descriptions thanks to him and learned a huge amount without being overloaded. Read all

Two planes, a bus and a boat…that’s how we made it to TRC, and every minute was worth it. Tambopata is a jewel, from the moment you are greeted by the guide assigned to you (Juan Carlos Gonzales for us) to the last boat ride back to civilization. Juan Carlos was amazing…on just one hike he found five of the seven species of monkeys in the area! He is truly an expert..can hear, see and even SMELL animals, birds and insects to point out to us. We upgraded to a deluxe suite and it was decadent! An elegant outdoor tub and shower on a private balcony was soo nice’ Although we went in the rainy season, it never rained while on a hike or excursion. It rained for a few minutes on our late afternoon cruise , but not enough to dampen our enthusiasm, or prevent us from seeing a capybara in the mid! (And despite the warning of a lot of mosquitoes, I have been bitten more in my own back yard!) The bar is great, there’s PLENTY of food…we are going home feeling so lucky to have had such a great connection to the beauty of the Amazon. Read all

We had a fantastic time for our 3N/4D stay at Tambopata Research Center. The whole experience was marvellous. Rooms and facilities were great and meals superb. The Staff, ably led by Tanya the manager, were all friendly and helpful. This is the only lodge actually inside the Tambopata National Park, and we enjoyed being so "remote". I like that you have one guide who coordinates and takes you on all your activities; Jair our guide was amazing. One morning our planned activity was rained out, and I liked that they have alternative "wet weather" activities planned. There are lectures each night by researchers, which were very interesting. Also citizen science projects that you can participate in. All up, it was a fantastic way to experience the Peruvian Amazon. Read all

Posada Amazonas by Rainforest Expeditions is an extraordinary place. From your arrival at the airport in Puerto Maldonado all the staff is always attentive to your needs. You travel by boat to the hotel Posada Amazonas and it is a unique experience. It really is a total disconnection and a recollection with Mother Nature 🌎 The buffet lunch is delicious (already included in the price). You have a guide who speaks Spanish and English at all times and accompanies you to explore the jungle, the river and other activities. The price is worth it. Outside my room I caught a glimpse of monkeys :) The night sky is starry and very spectacular ✨️ 5 star service. I will definitely come back. Read all

I stayed with my parents at Refugio Amazonas for 3 days. We really enjoyed our stay and had a wonderful time here. The staff were extremely kind and well informed. The lodge manager- Arturo in particular was very helpful. To highlight their culture: They prepared special vegetarian meals for my parents, always ensured we felt comfortable and all our needs were met. A stay here is a must do to get a real feel of the Amazon rainforest on your trip to Peru! Noteworthy details: There are a lot of activities for kids and families to do, but my personal favourites are: Macaw Claylick, OxBow river ride, sunset cruise and the canopy tower. Read all

An incredible and unparalleled experience I felt fortunate Read all

I can't express how amazing our guides were. Incredibly knowledgeable and able to spot birds, frogs, spiders, animals, etc. with an almost unbelievable ability. The research and contributions to the jungle they are making at the Center are to be commended. The facilities were nice and kept clean and the staff was great, but between the walls in the rooms being open to the jungle, the heat, the bugs, underpowered fans, having to completely cover up for hikes due to bugs and then getting overheated, etc. it made for a tough stay. The food was good but after a couple days became repetitive. I would recommend this for serious birders who are willing to endure a bit for an incredible adventure. Read all

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