Raoul Manten

The World...
through my Lens!



I love to travel and while doing so try to capture powerful images. With these photo's I would like to tell the stories behind diminishing tribal cultures and wildlife. And more important share the beauty of what the world has to offer!

On my blog you can read about the (sometimes unexpected) encounters I had during my trips around the world, with nature and the fascinating people living on the different continents.

My basic equipment is a Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II digital SLR camera with a 70-200mm zoom objective, which I sometimes replace by a 24-70mm wide angle lens.

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    38 posts tagged Costa Rica

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    Jesus Christ Lizard. This photo was taken in August 2007 in Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge (in the northern part of Costa Rica twenty kilometers south of Los Chiles near the border with Nicaragua in the Alajuela province), where this Common Basilisk was on high alert hinging just above the river. This extraordinary reptile (Basiliscus basiliscus) is also known as the “Jesus Christ Lizard” for its ability to run on the surface of water. When threatened, the Common Basilisk escapes by speeding across the water with an average speed of 8.4 km/h (or 5.2 mph), which is just a little slower than its speed on land. Younger basilisks can run 10 to 20 meters on water, while adults cross only a few meters before sinking. The lizard runs on only its hind legs in an erect position, holding its arms to its sides. This basilisk is so adroit on water because its feet are large and equipped with flaps of skin along the toes. Adults do not move slowly, but they weigh more and cannot sprint for as long a time. Once a basilisk submerges, it continues swimming until it is sufficiently far from its predator has followed. Although this lizard stays close to water to escape terrestrial predators, it swims only when necessary because there are aquatic animals that would be just as happy to eat the basilisk given the chance.

    Jesus Christ Lizard.

    This photo was taken in August 2007 in Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge (in the northern part of Costa Rica twenty kilometers south of Los Chiles near the border with Nicaragua in the Alajuela province), where this Common Basilisk was on high alert hinging just above the river.

    This extraordinary reptile (Basiliscus basiliscus) is also known as the “Jesus Christ Lizard” for its ability to run on the surface of water. When threatened, the Common Basilisk escapes by speeding across the water with an average speed of 8.4 km/h (or 5.2 mph), which is just a little slower than its speed on land. Younger basilisks can run 10 to 20 meters on water, while adults cross only a few meters before sinking.

    The lizard runs on only its hind legs in an erect position, holding its arms to its sides. This basilisk is so adroit on water because its feet are large and equipped with flaps of skin along the toes.

    Adults do not move slowly, but they weigh more and cannot sprint for as long a time. Once a basilisk submerges, it continues swimming until it is sufficiently far from its predator has followed. Although this lizard stays close to water to escape terrestrial predators, it swims only when necessary because there are aquatic animals that would be just as happy to eat the basilisk given the chance.

    Source Flickr / raoulmanten

    My geo-tagged images of Costa Rica.


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    Sulfuric gases hanging over the Poás Volcano crater lake, which is one of the world’s most acidic lakes. This photo was taken in September 2006 in the Poás Volcano National Park (at the Cordillera Central Mountain range of Costa Rica northwest of the capital San José), at an altitude of 2,704 meters. Since 1828 this volcano erupted 39 times and the last eruptive activity was recorded in 2009.

    Sulfuric gases hanging over the Poás Volcano crater lake, which is one of the world’s most acidic lakes.

    This photo was taken in September 2006 in the Poás Volcano National Park (at the Cordillera Central Mountain range of Costa Rica northwest of the capital San José), at an altitude of 2,704 meters. Since 1828 this volcano erupted 39 times and the last eruptive activity was recorded in 2009.

    Source Flickr / raoulmanten
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    Humpback Whale breaking the water surface with its back fin. This photo was taken in September 2006 around midday far out in the coastal waters of of the Marina Ballena National Park near Isla del Cano (at the Southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica), where this large adult male surfaced close to our boat. Adult males can grow up to 15 meters with an approximately weight of 36.500 kilograms and are known for producing complex “whale songs” which can last for 20 minutes and is repeated for hours at a time. It appears to have some kind of role in the mating rituals, but the exact purpose of the song is not clear yet. Earlier that morning I left with a small speed boat from Sierpe (a small village next to the river with the same name and large banana plantation) and headed for the Pacific coast following the curves that give this river its characteristic name. After an hour the boat reached the river delta and with some well planned maneuvers the captain managed to get the boat through the strong surf. The objective of this trip was to spot a female humpback whales, who are known for coming to this bay during July and August to give birth to their young. Humpback Whales migrate up to 25.000 kilometers each year; from the polar waters, where they feed in the summer to the tropical waters to breed and give birth in the winter. During the winter humpback whales fast in live off their fat reserves. Unfortunately it was already to far into the season to see a mother with her calf and the only whale I spotted that day was a large male on its way to open sea (see the picture on the top). The following year in July I went out to visit the bay again. Directly after crossing the surf the characteristic shape of the tail fin could be seen at the horizon. In the following hour I was able to make a series of pictures showing in different step of a humpback whale breaking the surface with his back fin (the hump) and than lifting his tail fins out of the water to dive again. The unique patterns on the tail flukes makes it possible to identify individuals, which makes the humpback whale a popular species to study. See how this humpback whale surfaces and dives again at the 19-items slide-show on my flickr account. In August 2007 I returned once more to this area and was lucky to encounter a small group of five humpback whales who breeched close to the boat. The sound of expelling excess water from the blowholes is something I will not forget. Humpback whales breath for air at the surface of the water through two blowholes located near the top of the head. They spout about 5 to 8 times per minute after a deep dive and the stream of spray can rise up to 4 meter above the surface. When they refreshed their lungs with air they are ready to dive again to a depth of 500-700 feet and stay under water for at least 15 to 30 minutes. See how this small group of humpback whales surfaces and swims together for a while at the 8-items slide-show on my flickr account.

    Humpback Whale breaking the water surface with its back fin.

    This photo was taken in September 2006 around midday far out in the coastal waters of of the Marina Ballena National Park near Isla del Cano (at the Southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica), where this large adult male surfaced close to our boat. Adult males can grow up to 15 meters with an approximately weight of 36.500 kilograms and are known for producing complex “whale songs” which can last for 20 minutes and is repeated for hours at a time. It appears to have some kind of role in the mating rituals, but the exact purpose of the song is not clear yet.

    Earlier that morning I left with a small speed boat from Sierpe (a small village next to the river with the same name and large banana plantation) and headed for the Pacific coast following the curves that give this river its characteristic name. After an hour the boat reached the river delta and with some well planned maneuvers the captain managed to get the boat through the strong surf.

    Little speed boat going through the surf.

    Rio Sierpe river delta

    The objective of this trip was to spot a female humpback whales, who are known for coming to this bay during July and August to give birth to their young. Humpback Whales migrate up to 25.000 kilometers each year; from the polar waters, where they feed in the summer to the tropical waters to breed and give birth in the winter. During the winter humpback whales fast in live off their fat reserves.

    Unfortunately it was already to far into the season to see a mother with her calf and the only whale I spotted that day was a large male on its way to open sea (see the picture on the top).

    The following year in July I went out to visit the bay again. Directly after crossing the surf the characteristic shape of the tail fin could be seen at the horizon.

    Humpback Whale with its tail fin out of the water

    In the following hour I was able to make a series of pictures showing in different step of a humpback whale breaking the surface with his back fin (the hump) and than lifting his tail fins out of the water to dive again. The unique patterns on the tail flukes makes it possible to identify individuals, which makes the humpback whale a popular species to study.

    See how this humpback whale surfaces and dives again at the 19-items slide-show on my flickr account.



    In August 2007 I returned once more to this area and was lucky to encounter a small group of five humpback whales who breeched close to the boat. The sound of expelling excess water from the blowholes is something I will not forget.

    Humpback whales breath for air at the surface of the water through two blowholes located near the top of the head. They spout about 5 to 8 times per minute after a deep dive and the stream of spray can rise up to 4 meter above the surface. When they refreshed their lungs with air they are ready to dive again to a depth of 500-700 feet and stay under water for at least 15 to 30 minutes.

    See how this small group of humpback whales surfaces and swims together for a while at the 8-items slide-show on my flickr account.

    Source Flickr / raoulmanten
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    Mother and child sitting at the door of a traditional Bribri house. This photo was taken in September 2007 in the Talamanca Canton (at the Caribbean coastal area of Costa Rica close to Panama’s northern border). The Bribri social structure is organized in matrilineal clan system, which means that a child’s clan is determined by the clan his mother belongs to. This gives women a very strong and important place in the Bribri society since they are the only ones that can inherit land and prepare the sacred cacao drink that is essential for their rituals.

    Mother and child sitting at the door of a traditional Bribri house.

    This photo was taken in September 2007 in the Talamanca Canton (at the Caribbean coastal area of Costa Rica close to Panama’s northern border). The Bribri social structure is organized in matrilineal clan system, which means that a child’s clan is determined by the clan his mother belongs to. This gives women a very strong and important place in the Bribri society since they are the only ones that can inherit land and prepare the sacred cacao drink that is essential for their rituals.

    Source Flickr / raoulmanten
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    Two big American Crocodiles are engaged in a wild fight over their territory. This photo was taken in September 2006 on the bridge over the Tárcoles River (near Jaco at the northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica), where numerous large crocodiles lay together on the banks of the river, waiting for an opportunity to catch a prey. When the raining season ends and the water level of the river drops the big males start to challenge each other for mating rights and territory. Standing on the bridge over the river I had a perfect spot to capture a quick but fearsome fight between two large individuals. From above I could hear their teeth scratching on the armed plates and actual see blood and bite marks on their back and head.  See how this battle between the American crocodiles continues at the 16-items slide-show on my flickr account. Two month later (in November 2006) I drove over the same bridge and spotted one of crocodiles resting in the sun on an empty river bank with an orange butterfly sitting on his eye. The contrast of the scene with what happened two months before could not have been any bigger.

    Two big American Crocodiles are engaged in a wild fight over their territory.

    This photo was taken in September 2006 on the bridge over the Tárcoles River (near Jaco at the northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica), where numerous large crocodiles lay together on the banks of the river, waiting for an opportunity to catch a prey. When the raining season ends and the water level of the river drops the big males start to challenge each other for mating rights and territory.

    Standing on the bridge over the river I had a perfect spot to capture a quick but fearsome fight between two large individuals. From above I could hear their teeth scratching on the armed plates and actual see blood and bite marks on their back and head. 

    See how this battle between the American crocodiles continues at the 16-items slide-show on my flickr account.

    Two month later (in November 2006) I drove over the same bridge and spotted one of crocodiles resting in the sun on an empty river bank with an orange butterfly sitting on his eye. The contrast of the scene with what happened two months before could not have been any bigger.

    Large American crocodile resting in the sun with a butterfly sitting on his eys.

    Source Flickr / raoulmanten
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    Hot lava stones bursting out the Arenal Volcano crater at a nightly eruption. This photo was taken in September 2006 near La Fortuna (in the Arenal Volcano National Park on the Tilaran Mountain range northwest of the capital San José) where I watched this magnificent show for several hours from the balcony of my room. I had positioned my camera on a small table which made it possible to use a shutter speed of 12 seconds to capture the motion of the falling lava stones. You can see more images of this nightly spectacle in the 17-items slide-show on my flickr account.  The Arenal is a very active volcano, but during the day is it difficult to distinguish the glowing streams of hot lava stones trembling down the mountain slope, besides the fact that during the day time the volcano is covered in mist for most of the time. One year later in August 2007, I was lucky to capture the photo below, where you can clearly see a cloud of ashes coming out of the crater after a small eruption.

    Hot lava stones bursting out the Arenal Volcano crater at a nightly eruption.

    This photo was taken in September 2006 near La Fortuna (in the Arenal Volcano National Park on the Tilaran Mountain range northwest of the capital San José) where I watched this magnificent show for several hours from the balcony of my room. I had positioned my camera on a small table which made it possible to use a shutter speed of 12 seconds to capture the motion of the falling lava stones.

    You can see more images of this nightly spectacle in the 17-items slide-show on my flickr account. 

    The Arenal is a very active volcano, but during the day is it difficult to distinguish the glowing streams of hot lava stones trembling down the mountain slope, besides the fact that during the day time the volcano is covered in mist for most of the time.

    One year later in August 2007, I was lucky to capture the photo below, where you can clearly see a cloud of ashes coming out of the crater after a small eruption.

    Eruption cloud hanging above the Arenal Volcano crater.

    Source Flickr / raoulmanten
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    Indigenous woman of the Bribri tribe doing her administration after selling handmade souvenirs to the tourists. This photo was taken in September 2007 in the Talamanca Canton (at the Caribbean coastal area of Costa Rica close to Panama’s northern border). The Bribri social structure is organized in matrilineal clan system, which means that a child’s clan is determined by the clan his mother belongs to. This gives women a very strong and important place in the Bribri society since they are the only ones that can inherit land and prepare the sacred cacao drink that is essential for their rituals. The majority of the approximately 12.000 Bribri in the Talamanca Canton still live without electricity or running water. Giving the women no other choice than to wash the dirty dishes at the bank of the river.

    Indigenous woman of the Bribri tribe doing her administration after selling handmade souvenirs to the tourists.

    This photo was taken in September 2007 in the Talamanca Canton (at the Caribbean coastal area of Costa Rica close to Panama’s northern border). The Bribri social structure is organized in matrilineal clan system, which means that a child’s clan is determined by the clan his mother belongs to. This gives women a very strong and important place in the Bribri society since they are the only ones that can inherit land and prepare the sacred cacao drink that is essential for their rituals.

    The majority of the approximately 12.000 Bribri in the Talamanca Canton still live without electricity or running water. Giving the women no other choice than to wash the dirty dishes at the bank of the river.

    Indigenous woman of the Bribri tribe washing the dishes at the river side.

    Traditional house with open cooking fire

    Traditional Bribri house.

    Source Flickr / raoulmanten
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    Smoke and ashes coming out of the Arenal Volcano crater after a small eruption. This photo was taken in October 2006 near La Fortuna (in the Arenal Volcano National Park on the Tilaran Mountain range northwest of the capital San José). With an altitude of 1,633 meters this conical volcano is not the highest, but is considered Costa Rica’s most active.

    Smoke and ashes coming out of the Arenal Volcano crater after a small eruption.

    This photo was taken in October 2006 near La Fortuna (in the Arenal Volcano National Park on the Tilaran Mountain range northwest of the capital San José). With an altitude of 1,633 meters this conical volcano is not the highest, but is considered Costa Rica’s most active.

    Source Flickr / raoulmanten
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    Common Bottlenose Dolphin breaching next to the boat. This photo was taken in October 2007 at the dawn of day in the coastal waters of the Marina Ballena National Park near Uvita (at the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica), where this grey colored marine mammal lives in groups typically of 10 to 20 members, called pods.

    Common Bottlenose Dolphin breaching next to the boat.

    This photo was taken in October 2007 at the dawn of day in the coastal waters of the Marina Ballena National Park near Uvita (at the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica), where this grey colored marine mammal lives in groups typically of 10 to 20 members, called pods.

    Source Flickr / raoulmanten
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    Ripe palm oil fruits collected by a local farmer. This photo was taken in October 2006 outside Quepos (at the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica), where large areas of tropical rainforest have been burned and replaced with palm tree plantations for the mass production of palm oil.

    Ripe palm oil fruits collected by a local farmer.

    This photo was taken in October 2006 outside Quepos (at the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica), where large areas of tropical rainforest have been burned and replaced with palm tree plantations for the mass production of palm oil.

    “Costa Rica hosts more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity even though its landmass only takes up .03% of the planet’s surface.”

    Costa Rica fun fact nr. 7

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    White-faced Capuchin Monkey hanging by its tail on a tree trunk, while searching for food in the tropical forest. This photo was taken in October 2006 in Manuel Antonio National Park (at the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica), where this highly intelligent monkey lives in troops that can exceed 20 animals. This medium sized monkey can live up to 50 years and is known for using tools as weapons or for getting to food. The rubbing of plants over their fur in an apparent use of herbal medicine has also been recorded. When I walked through the park that day, one of the bigger monkey come down from the tree tops and jumped right up to the trunk next to me. He looked straight into my eyes and although I was standing very close, it did not seem to bother him at all. Quickly checking if it was safe and continued searching for fresh leaves and fruit like I was not even there. See more images of this Capuchin Monkey and have a look at the 6-items slide-show on my flickr account.

    White-faced Capuchin Monkey hanging by its tail on a tree trunk, while searching for food in the tropical forest.

    This photo was taken in October 2006 in Manuel Antonio National Park (at the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica), where this highly intelligent monkey lives in troops that can exceed 20 animals. This medium sized monkey can live up to 50 years and is known for using tools as weapons or for getting to food. The rubbing of plants over their fur in an apparent use of herbal medicine has also been recorded.

    When I walked through the park that day, one of the bigger monkey come down from the tree tops and jumped right up to the trunk next to me. He looked straight into my eyes and although I was standing very close, it did not seem to bother him at all. Quickly checking if it was safe and continued searching for fresh leaves and fruit like I was not even there.

    See more images of this Capuchin Monkey and have a look at the 6-items slide-show on my flickr account.

    Source Flickr / raoulmanten
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    Juvenile bare-throated Tiger Heron is searching for food from a low hanging branch. This photo was taken in October 2006 in Tortuguero National Park (at the Caribbean coastal area of northern Costa Rica close to Nicaragua’s border), where this wading bird waits motionless for suitable prey such as fish, frogs or crabs to come within reach of its long bill.

    Juvenile bare-throated Tiger Heron is searching for food from a low hanging branch.

    This photo was taken in October 2006 in Tortuguero National Park (at the Caribbean coastal area of northern Costa Rica close to Nicaragua’s border), where this wading bird waits motionless for suitable prey such as fish, frogs or crabs to come within reach of its long bill.

    Source Flickr / raoulmanten
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    Rough Green Snake biting a juvenile Bullfrog by its rear leg. This photo was taken in October 2006 in Manuel Antonio National Park (at the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica), where this very thin snake can grow up to 46 inches and uses its excellent camouflage in green vegetation to hunt for prey. This snake is not a constrictor nor does it use venom to kill its prey. It simply swallows it alive after weakening it by bleeding the body through its hollow teeth. See how this snake eats the entire bullfrog at the 9-items slide-show on my flickr account.

    Rough Green Snake biting a juvenile Bullfrog by its rear leg.

    This photo was taken in October 2006 in Manuel Antonio National Park (at the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica), where this very thin snake can grow up to 46 inches and uses its excellent camouflage in green vegetation to hunt for prey. This snake is not a constrictor nor does it use venom to kill its prey. It simply swallows it alive after weakening it by bleeding the body through its hollow teeth.

    See how this snake eats the entire bullfrog at the 9-items slide-show on my flickr account.

    Source Flickr / raoulmanten

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