This beautiful cat is the Margay Cat of Costa Rica.
On my last trip to Costa Rica myself as well as part of my group were very fortunate to get to spend some quality time with this graceful creature.
Perfectly adapted for it’s life in the trees… yes the trees, this mostly arboreal cat has the unique ability to rotate it’s back feet 180 degrees! Enabling it to run straight down the trunk of a tree like a squirrel.
This Margay Cat was nice enough to come down out of the trees long enough to pose for us on this rock for a more formal portrait.
Photographing the Margay Cat of Costa Rica
Encounters like this with the Margay Cat of Costa Rica are never guaranteed, which makes them all the more special. These cats are incredibly elusive and spend most of their lives high up in the canopy, often going completely unseen.
That’s what makes photographing the Margay Cat of Costa Rica such a unique experience. You have to be patient, stay alert, and be ready when the opportunity presents itself. In this case, we were lucky — the cat gave us just enough time to work the scene, adjust our composition, and capture a few clean frames.
Moments like this are a good reminder that wildlife photography is often about being prepared for the unexpected. You can plan all you want, but sometimes the best images come from those brief, unplanned encounters when everything just comes together.
It was a special experience for all of us, and one I won’t soon forget.
Good Luck and Good Light!
Steve & Nicole
Image: Margay Cat of Costa Rica, Near Arenal, Costa Rica
Nikon D4S, 200-400mm 1/60th @ f5.6, ISO 640