A Camera Buff’s Dreamland

Panama is a dreamland for camera buffs, professional or amateur, and the old advertising slogan, " don’t leave home without it" fits well. Whether you are on a (camera) shooting expedition in the interior to photograph or film wild life, or just strolling the streets of the capital city you will find something to catch the camera eye.

If you want easy access to wild life you can travel to the Gamboa resort, and photograph alligators, turtles, birds and other animals, while having your lunch at a restaurant overhanging the Chagres river. Even nearer at hand is the city’s Metropolitan Park, with walks of up to two hours or more, leading to spectacular views of the city. If you are looking for tropical birds go early. The park opens at 6.a.m.when many varieties of tropical birds are in full song, and the morning light is perfect for filming.

In the city just keep you camera eye open, and you will be clicking away every few yards, whether the target is a passing street vendor, roadside flowering plants, architectural gems or people. So be sure to keep your digital camera battery well charged.

The first two pictures shown here were taken at the water’s edge near the market place, where fishermen and water taxis to nearby Taboga Island share the watery parking lot and pelicans sated by their raids on discarded fish, taking an afternoon nap. The third picture shows a street vendor scraping ice for a raspado (cooling drink) during your walk.