Great News!

Waiting for Wisdom

This Saturday, July 31 is the Wildflower Festival at Kirkwood. You've heard me rave about it before. This is the only outdoor show we do and we have a blast!

• Music
• BBQ
• Wine and Beer tasting
• Guided Hikes
• Ride the chair lift
and of course, lots of art! Including my newest images of an owl nest that you won't want to miss. And more large cloth panels to delight your visual senses.
NOON to 5 PM Kirkwood California
See you there!





Badgers










More good news!

I'm heading up a Wildlife Photography Workshop in the Grand Tetons this fall. (see side bar)

I'll be the workshop leader for Nikonians Academy and look forward to many new adventures. Hope you'll join in.

Our MarchTour to Costa Rica is reserved for photographers though Nikonians and we are in the planning stages for Africa next May.

The two tours to Costa Rica in February still have seats available so let us know if you are interested.

Hummers and more

from Costa Rica log 1/31 Sun...

...Slept in, 7 am, Kathy gets up at 8, we have breakfast, they find her decaf coffee which she left at the table yesterday morning. Very hard to find decaf at restaurants in Costa Rica so she has to bring our own to breakfast.

Off to Braulio Carrillo NP to look for hummingbirds at a closed butterfly garden not far from the entry. We meet Miguel, he just started a guide company, Agouti Tours? We will hike with him manana. He tells us of Bat Falcons near Toro bridge. But first we must find the hummingbird place that has become very popular for snowcap and the black-capped coquette. We find it and the snowcap but no coquette. Probably too late in the day. 

Photos of hummers here are difficult because flowers are everywhere and the hummers dart from one to another in no particular order. I don't set up hummingbird shots with multiple flash, bait, or backdrops. I enjoy the challenge and skill of shooting on the fly. I don't get as many keepers but it sure is fun!

Hiked around and found some leaf-cutter ants to photograph. Did you know that they don't eat the leaves? They mulch them up and use them to grow fungi (mushrooms of sorts) and eat them. 

Can you believe that! They cultivate a farm, and grow their own food!

Found the bat falcons, got some lousy pics, bad lighting. This one had just finished eating another bird. You can see the legs dangling from the left talons. 

We had our lunch at El Yugo. Went for snack, turned out to be a big snack so dinner should be light. El Yugo is right at the bottom of the hill coming east from San Jose. It is a cafeteria and has a great selection of typical foods. Naturally the universal law works in Costa Rica, too. Eyes bigger than stomach...

To learn how you can join Adventure Costa Rica 2011, email here!

Costa Rica 2010

My initial in flight. This is a Frigate bird that just caught an eel. It couldn't quite get it down and eventually dropped it into the ocean where it was sought after by a brown pelican. Not sure if the pelican retrieved the eel.

This one's a little gross. We came across this iguana eating a dead parrot. It would grab the bird and shake it violently until a piece tore off. After the iguana had its share a black vulture took its turn.

The Jabiru Stork is the tallest bird in the Americas with males standing up to 5 feet! They are endangered in Costa Rica and consequently hard to find. This one was at Palo Verde National Park.

Costa Rica 2010 has been a real trip. 56 adventurous days. I am going to try and recap from my log some of the highlights with photos in the coming weeks. Writing this from the first good internet connection since we arrived. Now, only a few days left until we return to the office.

Stay tuned for some exciting stories and incredible images and tips if you plan to visit.

Wildflowers!

The Wildflower Festival at Kirkwood was a huge success! Plenty of cold brews, wine, and food. We met new friends and fans, many are now collectors of The Jim Stamates Collection! Yea!

I showed a new application with the addition of a 3 panel PhotoCoth. You can see it in the photo above. 3 panels make up a large 4 foot by 6 foot image of Round Top and Wildflowers.

This is the perfect solution for large walls in a great room or for commercial installations. And it is affordable. Any image from the collection can be made into 3, 4, or 5 panels at any size.

I also introduced 6 new images including a couple of my impressionistic style photos that are made in camera. No Photoshop. 5 of the new images sold! I am really excited about that.

If you are in Tahoe this weekend I will be at the Showcase Gallery this Sunday 11 am to 4 pm. Stop by and say hi.

This is one of my new impressionistic images; The Tree

There are a couple of new things happening at In The Rhythm™ Tours and Workshops. You may have noticed in the Event column above the "Workshop by the Day". You'll be hearing more of that very soon. We think it will be way cool, and very popular.

Also, if you are interested in Costa Rica February 2010, let me know soon, the first tour is filling fast and there is still room in the second tour.

Plans Change

Unfortunately, our Adventure Costa Rica tours for 2009 have been canceled due to personal health issues. Jim had neck surgery on December 10th that will prevent him from traveling out of country until late next year. We apologize to all of you who planned to join us. I am so grateful that those who booked are taking it so well and have committed to our 2010 tours. Thank you! and thank you for all your concerns and positive thoughts.

On a more positive note we were able to enjoy a couple of days at the Sacramento NWR during Thanksgiving weekend. All we can say is, awesome! Great weather, plenty of birds and other wildlife, and lots of great photos. 

1 million snow geese migrate from the arctic to winter in Sac NWR! ONE MILLION! Plus other ducks, geese, cranes, hawks, eagles, and owls. There is a 6 mile auto tour that circles part of the refuge that grants plenty of birding and photography opportunities.

If you are traveling I-5 near Williams follow the signs and make the time to take the self-guided auto-tour. And if you have never been to Granzella's Deli in Williams, you are missing a lot of fun and great food! We always make it a 'must stop' every time we are passing by.

Since Jim's surgery was at UC Davis Med Ctr in Sac and very early in the morning, we decided to leave the day before. Jim has always wanted to visit Effie Yeaw Nature Center along the American River. With just his point and shoot and only a couple of hours to spend, we had a ball. If you haven't been there, do it. What a great place, and be sure to stop by the Visitors Center. Lots of deer, turkey, hawks, and plenty of birds. It is a little tricky to get to but check Google maps. It is between Sunrise and Watt off of Fair Oaks.

For now Jim will be recovering and as soon as he has enough energy he will probably be on his laptop posting more blogs. Until then, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Addendum: Today is Dec. 26 and it is the kind of day that makes you remember why you live in snow country. For the last week or so it has been snowing, blowing and just pretty miserable. Today the sky is blue, the snow is deep powder, the trees are flocked with the white stuff and you couldn't ask for a better day. If you live in the Sierra's or are close you must come up. It is awesome! Maybe later we can grab a picture or two and post them.

Safe travels...

Adventure Costa Rica 09

Exciting news! We are getting closer to our Adventure Costa Rica 09. Yep! Summer is over and I am finalizing the itinerary for two adventures and boy, I am excited! We adjusted our tour to make it even more fun, see more stuff, and maximize our adventure.

We are going to watch a Volcano erupt, weather permitting. See crocodiles, enjoy a sunset cruise on the Tarcoles River, swim in liquid gold on Costa Rica's most famous beach, visit a coffee plantation, eat with the locals, hike to waterfalls, watch monkeys play, and see Costa Rica's most sought after birds, the Scarlet Macaw and the elusive Resplendent Quetzal.

Of course, I will be there to share my knowledge of photography, Costa Rican travel, and wildlife while Dino, our local bilingual guide, will show us hidden treasures and tell us all about Costa Rican culture. (Dino is one funny guy)

11 day tours;

Tour 1 leaves Feb 14 2009

Tour 2 leaves Feb 28 2009. 

Limit 12 Explorers. 

Cost: $2350 per person, double occupancy.

Includes everything except flight and alcohol. 

Hotels, transportation, meals, tours, park entrance fees, guides, non-alcoholic drinks. Lots of fun and adventure.

For more information, itinerary, application, and to reserve your space email:

info@stamates.com

or call 800.367.5772

Each tour is limited to the first 12 Explorers! Our tours fill fast, don't miss out on an adventure of a lifetime!

It's not a vacation, it's an Adventure!

Here's is what past explorers have said:

Even the travel along the Pan-American Highway felt like an adventure!…Bob ’08

Sunset cruise was phenomenal, every moment of it!…swallows fed, quietly ‘kissing’ their reflection…Sue ’08

As evidenced by how long it took me to get (back) ‘into country’ I’d say it was one fantastic tour, probably even life-changing…Sheryl ’08

I met new people at every stop and came home with many tico acquaintances…Erin ‘08

Photo Walk This Saturday!

First, I want to thank all of you who signed up for the South Lake Tahoe Photo Walk. I am surprised we have so many from our little town that want to join in. What fun we will have.

Everyone, and every camera, is welcome, even if you didn't sign up. Even my Costa Rican friend with his polaroid, in the photo. However, you cannot post your images for a chance to win the Lightroom 2 book unless you sign up. Click the title. 

Here are some tips:

• Bring your camera! Any camera will do, point-and-shoot cameras to large format. Although large format is hardly what I would choose for a 'walk'. 

• Tripod is optional, bring whatever gear you are comfortable with. The walk will not be that long. I'm not sure how much gear I will bring. Probably too much.

• Be sure your batteries are charged, or new, and bring plenty of memory or film. Anyone still use film?

• Wear comfortable clothes and good walking shoes. Our walk will be mostly flat, but not all paved. If it looks like rain (I doubt it) be prepared. We will walk what ever the weather.

• Bring water and an energy bar if necessary, we will meet at Camp Rich General store after the walk and they have plenty to eat.

• Remember to walk in pairs or in groups - This is a social event. Get to know new people. We’ll definitely see some familiar faces in the group, but it doesn’t hurt to go with someone you don’t know and get to know them. 

• If you need help, ask, we should all be available to help each other. I am always available to share my knowledge. Just ask.

• Very important! Please be aware of areas we should not walk into, like flower beds, etc. Be sure to not get in other photographer's shots, unless they want you to. And please be courteous to other people enjoying the area. We do not have exclusive use of the Tallac Site.

• And lastly, HAVE FUN!

Here is a site on Photo Walks that may be helpful by Jeff Revell.

 

Adventure Costa Rica!

Hello, friends and fans.  I am going to write a little on  our most recent adventure, Costa Rica!

We have just returned from a month in Costa Rica.  During that time we guided  an "In The Rhythm™" tour of 12 adventurers to some of our favorite areas.  

The 11-day, 10-night tour included birds, monkeys, crocodiles, jungles, more birds, coffee tour, beaches, sunsets, more birds, swimming in the pacific, boat rides, zip lines for some, more birds, and lots of great food! 

We visited Manuel Antonio National Park - a favorite for some, Volcan Arenal - unfortunately it was hidden by low clouds, Carara National Park, Santa Maria, Cartago, and a very special place, San Geraldo de Dota.

Since the tour was such a great success, we have added 2 more tours for next year.  A total of three tours in January, February, or March. The tours are designed for photographers, birders, and anyone who just wants to see Costa Rica and join the fun. "It's not a vacation, it's an ADVENTURE!"  If you want to learn more about "In The Rhythm™" Tours and Workshops, drop an email to: jim@stamates.com