close iframe icon
approved icon Allan_Vasquez avatar
Allan_Vasquez
Guajipal
Banner

Guajipal



behind the lens badge

This is a caiman I think. We call them Guajipal in Costa Rica. It was lurking in a small pond and emerged to grab some food. I was able to snap this photo. It s...
Read more

This is a caiman I think. We call them Guajipal in Costa Rica. It was lurking in a small pond and emerged to grab some food. I was able to snap this photo. It scared the crap out of my eight year old niece who jumped backwards and grabbed my arm XD
Read less
cameraCanon EOS 70D

settings Aperture f/5.6 ISO 400 Shutter 1/200 Focal Length 135/1 

upload_dateJun, 2018

Views

728

Likes

Awards

Contest Finalist in Wildscapes Photo Contest
Community Choice Award
Peer Award
volkmer franciscogranadeiro JohnSmall Focus_Marcus manh imagingmagician holmeshooke1 +16
Absolute Masterpiece
filipecunha Sfink Parismarts insideout_side idl tibotaantjekenyisuus Winston2407 +5
Outstanding Creativity
mrickyhelmi Jesslove013 MiyoJergen sciencewithskill charleneroetzel toniyork MikeyTopaz +4
Top Choice
Lucascerri rajashreepal Areger1 rachelrivera craighollingsworth dankemer dijogeorge +4
Superb Composition
juliagustjakova SilStar arunegger jimbeitz ashleyschembri jhrabchak Jazzmere +2
Superior Skill
jeanlindfors rcbarao mcampi debbietintle

Top Ranks

Wildlife Wanderlust Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
The Photo Art ProjectTop 20 rank
The Photo Art ProjectTop 10 rank week 1
Wildscapes Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Animal Faces Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1
View more
Tracking Wildlife Photo ContestTop 30 rank
Tracking Wildlife Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1
Creative Boundaries Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
Animal Kingdom Photo Contest vol2Top 30 rank
Animal Kingdom Photo Contest vol2Top 30 rank week 1
Color Explorer Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Color Explorer Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Inspired By The World Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 7Top 30 rank
Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 7Top 20 rank week 1
Animals Around Us Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Animals Around Us Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
photographyawards2019Top 10 rank
Shades Of Green Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Shades Of Green Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Celebrating Earth Day Photo Contest 2019Top 20 rank
Celebrating Earth Day Photo Contest 2019Top 20 rank week 1
Reptiles Photo ContestTop 30 rank
Reptiles Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1
Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 34Top 20 rank
Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 34Top 10 rank week 2
Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 34Top 10 rank week 1

Categories

1 Comment |
jackiegoodwin Platinum
 
jackiegoodwin December 08, 2019
great feedback for photo you have written - thank you for entering your lovely photo into my challenge "animals of any kind" - good luck

Submitted to Photo Contests

Tags

#reptile #green #colors #eyes #brown #leaves #water #animal #wildlife
See all

Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken in a wildlife rescue centre (forgot the name) located in La Fortuna, Alajuela, Costa Rica. They take care of injured or endangered animals including this powerful looking caiman.

Time

It was the afternoon, around 1pm. It was very sunny and hot. After looking around the place we sat down to rest next to this pond. There were many birds and other animals around.

Lighting

Not much. It was a pretty sunny day.

Equipment

I used my Canon 70D with a 18-135mm stock lens, handheld.

Inspiration

We were inside an open building resting from the sun and the heat. There was a pond right next to the building. The pond sat like one meter bellow the floor level of the building. It was an artificial pond so there was a cement ramp that came out of the water. We were talking to the owner of the rescue centre and he told us there was a caiman in the water. He then threw a piece of fruit onto the cement ramp to try and trick the caiman into coming out and getting the food. My 8 year old niece was standing next to me looking through the lens of a small camera I had lent her, trying to get a shot of the caiman. In a matter of seconds, we went from the caiman showing it's head above the water (like in this photo) to it coming out completely and resting it's whole body on the ramp. This all happened so fast and suddenly, that my niece jumped backwards while letting out a shriek. She then grabbed my arm, clearly spooked by the caiman. Needless to say she didn't get the shot and got a good scare instead. Thankfully, I was able to get this shot which I really like.

Editing

I always shoot RAW so I always do color correction and some light tweaking. In this case I also cropped the image a small amount.

In my camera bag

I normally have my Canon 70D and a 18-135mm stock lens, a 50mm (nifty fifty) lens and a 24mm pancake lens. I also carry one extra battery, the charger for said battery and a cleaning kit. Depending on the situation I will also have my tripod with me.

Feedback

This was a very specific situation where I was super close to the caiman but out of danger. It was also very fast and surprising. Normally for wildlife you'd be using a long lens and you'd be aware that something like this could suddenly happen.In this case it was a very sporadic moment so all I can say is be ready.

See more amazing photos, follow Allan_Vasquez

User photo
It’s your time to shine! ☀️

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.

Already a member? Log In

By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Service, and acknowledge you've read our Privacy Policy Notice.