Appreciation

Thanks to my guests, and thanks to all the great people who
have helped me in Costa Rica!

Hosting tours in this wonderful country can be challenging, with 12 programs now completed, and many more being planned soon, I consider myself extremely fortunate.

The photography side is good fun, most enjoyable. Helping my guests create beautiful images also is truly a blast! Working with all the great local people, hotel staff, park officials, property owners who take great care of the environment, travel companies, etc, is also a big part of why my business is successful.

Thanks to everyone!

A proud Female Brilliant below protects her perch!

Green Crowned Brilliant
RJB Costa Rica Tours
ray@raymondbarlow.com
1/800s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso800

Such Color!

Special workshops to enjoy the color of nature, and the beauty!

Can we imagine anything more spectacular then this bird? The iridescent feathers set the Quetzal apart from most any other bird in the world. The soft greens and blues paired with the incredible rouge breast feathers make this bird something very special to see.

A clear image with complimentary environment can be most difficult. Hosting a group of keen photographers who were really dedicated to capturing this bird adds a specific type of excitement when a scene like this presents itself.

I feel this bird has a sense of "show". We waited patently for about 1.5 hours, he looked at me and decided it was time to model for my guests. After jumping out of my skin, we quickly moved into the best possible position for a view, keeping our distance, leaving the bird it's comfort zone.

Enjoy nature, respect all creatures, provide good environment with clean air and water for many generations to see and photograph!


Resplendent Quetzal
RJB Colours of Costa Rica Tour
ray@raymondbarlow.com
1/200s f/4.0 at 260.0mm iso1000

A True Challenge - To capture such Beauty!

The fun of bird photography can be equally as frustrating.

We enjoy the beauty of these tiny feathered creatures, just watching them fuss and maintain territories is amazing to see. Their navigational skills are incredible! To capture a pair of hummingbirds
in focus can be the ultimate challenge.

This shot taken from about 10 feet, at 340 mm at f4, leaving me with less then 1 inch of depth of field. The key is to find 2 birds at exactly the same distance from the camera!

A special thanks to everyone who commented, +1, and shared my last image.... unreal!! Over 851,000 views! I am really not sure how that happened, but I do appreciate this very much.

Raymond Barlow nature Photography Tours
(booking private tours to Costa Rica!)

Coppery-headed Emerald and Green Thorntail hummingbirds
RJB Costa Rica Tours
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Available light only.
1/2000s f/4.0 at 340.0mm iso1000

Dreams Come True

A shot I have tried for many times, and finally achieved my goal!

But why do they fight so much! Regardless the challenge is the fun, and when the plan works out we can share with our friends. Thanks to everyone for all the help and support., heading home from Costa Rica soon, lots more editing waiting.

best wishes.

Fiery-throated Hummingbirds in Flight
RJB Costa Rica Tours
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/2000s f/4.0 at 330.0mm iso3200

The Beauty of Natural Light

"Naturally" how we create images is very much a personal issue.

Many photographers who enjoy nature photography use artificial lighting, and enjoy the detail brought out by this technique. Personally, I never us any flash for nature. I did try it once, and failed miserably!

Learning to work with the available light is a skill, much the same as using artificial light., either system is difficult and takes a lot of practice to do well.

With my guests on the tours I host, we engage in such discussions, concerning what is "best", when there is no best. If you are happy with your images, nothing else matters. When they here me suggest that a flashed image looks "plastic", the blood begins to boil!

My comments are always in humor, and I hope that everyone would not take my opinions personally. We all have different goals with our imaging, the key is to enjoy the process.

rjb

Violet Sabrewing in Flight
RJB Costa Rica Tours
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/4000s f/4.0 at 280.0mm iso640

Scintillant Hummingbird
RJB Costa Rica Tours

ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/8000s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso1000

Just the right Angle

For a clean background! Positioning the camera is the key to capturing smooth backgrounds in the right light. A good distance behind this bird, with a grass lawn about 60 yards away helped this image and bird shine. The Green violetear is very common in Costa Rica, thanks to the beauty of nature.
No flash ever used in my wildlife photography.

A few more edits here... http://raymondbarlow.smugmug.com/Costa-Rica-Tours/i-DwWXsPS

Green Violetear
RJB Costa Rica Tours

ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/1600s f/4.0 at 360.0mm iso640

Yellow and Green

Colour is a big deal in nature photography, we all look for the drama!

This silver-throated tanager takes this concept to the max. these colours just seem to be the "natural" match. One of the smallest tanagers I have seen in Costa Rica, but also a very friendly and approachable bird. We keep a good distance for most of the birds at this location, then move in for a shot during last light.

Lots more editing to do as I have a back-log of workshop images to review and edit, hard to keep up!

Thanks for looking!


Silver-throated Tanager
RJB Costa Rica Tours

ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/125s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso1000

To my most wonderful family.

Daisy and Maria, my wife and daughter are the answer to all of my dreams. This image is dedicated to them, their amazing support to me
and this business is incredible. The two pink flowers in the background remind me of how sweet and caring they are, with me, all of the time.

Everything I do is for Daisy, and my sweet Maria.

Thanks to everyone who shares, clicks, +1's, comments on my images, I am a very lucky person.


Green Crown Brilliant Juvenile
RJB Costa Rica Tours
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/1250s f/4.0 at 380.0mm iso1600

Green Nature

Preparing for a tour in Costa Rica can be an enjoyable experience, hiking in the back woods with an expert guide is good fun.

When I cross paths with 3 male and 2 female resplendent quetzals, I look at the situation and analyze the amount of luck involved. How fortunate can one be? Nature is real, nature is beauty. The appreciation for such an amazing experience is beyond these tiny black dots, making a poor attempt to convey my thoughts.

Aside from all that, a bird with beautiful environment, sweet light, and an awesome angle, un-imaginable. Then, on top of the above, at leat 10 minutes to get the shot... heart pumping, anxiety like crazy!!

Miss my family, wish they were here. I really appreciate the opportunity to share this experience with all of you!



Resplendent Quetzal
RJB Costa Rica Tours
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/200s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso1000

Colour in Flight

Presently hosting 2 tours in Costa Rica with wonderful guests, and beautiful weather. Hummingbird photography can be extremely challenging. Working with natural light is the key to creating images that look real, or at least as real as possible!

I will try to post a few more, time is limited. I start around 4 am, and finish about 9-9:30 at night! - these guys keep me busy, and such great fun hanging out and working with some of the best photographer I have known.

Green Crown Brilliant Juvenile
RJB Costa Rica Tours
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/2500s f/4.0 at 350.0mm iso1600

Great Gray Owl in Flight
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops

ray@raymondbarlow.com
No bait used
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/2000s f/4.0 at 300.0mm iso500

Blue Gray Tanager
RJB Costa Rica Tours

ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/80s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso320

Great Gray Owl Incoming
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops

ray@raymondbarlow.com
No bait used
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/1600s f/4.0 at 380.0mm iso400

Snowy Owl re-edit
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops

ray@raymondbarlow.com
No bait used
Nikon D70 ,Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF
1/1250s f/5.6 at 400.0mm iso200

Elephant in the Serengeti
RJB Tanzania, Africa Tours

ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/400s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso400

Kirks dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii)
RJB Tanzania, Africa Tours

ray@raymondbarlow.com
Canon EOS 70D ,Swarovski Telescope STX 65mm x 25 1200 mm
1/160s iso320 f11.5

Great Gray Owl
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops

ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/200s f/4.0 at 380.0mm iso200

Bald Eagle in Flight (captive)
RJB Raptors in Flight Workshops

ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/2500s f/4.0 at 200.0mm iso800

Red-tailed Hawk in Flight
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops

ray@raymondbarlow.com
No Bait used or needed
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/3200s f/4.0 at 340.0mm iso400

Snowy Owl Landing
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
ray@raymondbarlow.com

No Bait used or needed
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/2500s f/4.0 at 330.0mm iso400

Thanks for looking - please respect nature.

Red-tailed Hawk - Lift Off
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800
Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/800s f/4.0 at 310.0mm iso800

Saw-whet Owl
ray@raymondbarlow.com
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
Nikon D300 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/13s f/8.0 at 200.0mm iso250

Lilac Breasted Roller in Tanzania
RJB Tanzania, Africa Tours
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Canon EOS 70D
Swarovski Telescope STX 25x 65mm - 1200 mm
1/320s iso320 f11.5

Elephants - Trunks Up
RJB Tanzania, Africa Tours
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Canon EOS 70D ,Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6
1/160s f/14.0 at 90.0mm iso320

Lion with a Kill
RJB Tanzania, Africa Tours
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D300 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/200s f/7.1 at 400.0mm iso320

Red-tailed Hawk Hunting
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
ray@raymondbarlow.com
No Bait used or needed
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/6400s f/4.0 at 290.0mm iso400

Snowy Owl Lift Off
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
ray@raymondbarlow.com
No Bait used or needed
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/4000s f/5.0 at 310.0mm iso320

Snowy Owl Landing
ray@raymondbarlow.com
No Bait used or needed
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/2000s f/4.0 at 200.0mm iso500

Snowy Owl in Flight
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
ray@raymondbarlow.com
No Bait used or needed
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/6400s f/5.0 at 400.0mm iso400

Snowy Owl in Flight
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
ray@raymondbarlow.com
No Bait used or needed
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/2000s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso200

Maria's Snowy Owl
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
Maria Barlow's first wild owl photo shoot with her Daddy!
Canon EOS 70D
Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6
1/2500s f/5.6 at 200.0mm iso500

Leopard in Tanzania
RJB Tanzania, Africa Tours
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Canon EOS 70D
Swarovski Telescope STX 65mm x 25 1200 mm
f 11.5 - 1/40s - iso400

Red-tailed Hawk with Lunch
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
ray@raymondbarlow.com
No Bait used or needed
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/800s f/4.0 at 220.0mm iso1000

Snowy Owl
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops

ray@raymondbarlow.com

No Bait used
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/640s f/4.0 at 350.0mm iso2000

Snowy Owl in Flight
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/5000s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso250
No Bait used

Snowy Owl in Flight
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/1000s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso1000
No bait used.

Snowy Owl in Flight
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/5000s f/4.0 at 360.0mm iso320
no bait used to produce this image

Snowy Owl
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/200s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso800

Green Violetear in Flight
RJB Colours of Costa Rica Tour
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/1000s f/4.0 at 350.0mm iso1000

Snowy Owl in Flight
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/2000s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso1000

Little Bee-eater
RJB Tanzania, Africa Tours
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/400s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso320

Great Grey Owl (captive)
RJB Birds in Flight Workshops
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/200s f/6.3 at 260.0mm iso200

Long-eared Owl (captive)
RJB Birds in Flight Workshops
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/100s f/7.1 at 400.0mm iso200

Long-eared Owl (captive)
RJB Birds in Flight Workshops
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/100s f/7.1 at 400.0mm iso200

Great Horned Owl in Flight (captive)
RJB Birds in Flight Workshops
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/2000s f/4.0 at 330.0mm iso1000

Snowy Owl Lift-off (captive)
RJB Birds in Flight Workshops
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/2500s f/4.5 at 210.0mm iso250