One of the awesome benefits of surf photography is the opportunity to travel. You get to go to unique corners of the world and experience and see things that are full of wonder. When the boys are resting between sessions, I like to do a little exploring. There may be no better place for this than Latin America. Let me give you an example…

One of my favorite surf locations is Bocas del Toro, Panama. Specifically, the island of Bastimentos is a wonderland of point breaks, reef breaks and sand bars. But its not only surfing: the jungle comes right down to the edge of the sand, just daring one to explore.

As you leave the hot, brightly lit sand and dip your head into the jungle, there is an immediate transformation. The sound of pounding surf is quickly snuffed out and new sounds emerge. You are immediately aware of the breeze running through the trees, the chorus of birds high above, the scuffle of something underfoot, and then…the unmistakable chirp of the little red dart frog.

The red frogs of Bocas are a unique subspecies of poisonous dart frog that live only on Bastimentos Island. They are about an inch long and come in different shades of red. They feed on ants in the jungle. When one walks into the jungle, their chirp is heard well before they are seen. You have to let your eyes adjust to the shadows, stay still, and then like magic, you start to see the little frogs on branches and the jungle floor. Some are bright red, some are orange, but all have spots and white feet. The color is so shocking that the little frogs seem out of place. But, the color is not camouflage, rather it is a warning to other critters that their skin is toxic and to stay away.

Mother Nature is full of surprises. Colors, patterns and shapes await those who slow down to explore. From the deep blues of the ocean to the greens and reds of the jungle, the world is full of wonder!