Green-crowned Brilliant at heliconia

Costa Rica Hummingbirds and More

Special offer for bird and nature lovers: $1,600 Discount for non-photographer spouse or guest.

Experience Costa Rica while photographing beautiful hummingbirds, tropical birds and more. Be part of our small group of photographers in a relaxed setting at two comfortable lodges hidden away in the rain and cloud forests. You'll find abundant birds, wildlife, macro subjects and more, and return home with great images.

Our locations are renowned for their numbers and diversity of hummingbirds. Workshop participants have seen and photographed over 20 species of these stunning birds. You'll gain a better understanding of how to use flash for all your photography, and we'll show you how to get exquisite images of colorful hummingbirds in flight and at flowers.

We supply all the flash equipment for our hummingbird workshops, including lightstands and backgrounds. You simply need to bring your camera with one flash, lens, and tripod. You are also welcome to bring your own multiple flash equipment.

We stay at private ecological reserves dedicated to wildlife and habitat preservation. Accommodations and meals are first rate. Most of our photography is just outside our rooms, so the exertion level is easy. We go during the tropical dry season, with warm and pleasant weather the norm.

Photographers of all experience levels are welcome. With only six photographers, you'll receive plenty of personal attention and can photograph and explore at your own pace. Ralph Paonessa will show you his techniques for producing award-winning images. (You can learn more at our Online Hummingbird Photography Guide.)

A great diversity of birds and wildlife visit the native plants and fruit feeders these lodges maintain, for additional photo opportunities. You'll also find a wonderful variety of plants and insects for macro photography. And there are scenic landscape vistas as well.

This is an ideal trip for a non-photographer spouse or companion, who can join for a substantial discount (save $1,200) to experience some of the best birding and natural locations in Costa Rica. We can arrange optional activities including guided birding, horseback riding, volcano viewing, and day trips to various places of interest. Each lodge has miles of hiking trails you can explore on your own or with a guide.

Costa Rica is the natural jewel of the tropics, with volcanoes and mountains that soar to over twelve thousand feet in between the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, and hundreds of scenic rivers and waterfalls amidst tropical splendor. Some of our participants have returned again and again to sample everything these locations have to offer. Join us in Costa Rica for a great photography and learning experience!

Extension: We are also offering a Costa Rica Quetzals and Hummingbirds extension as an option for this photo tour to photograph the beautiful Resplendent Quetzal as well as several more species of hummingbirds. Read more about this option ...