Face to Face: A Puma Captured by DSLR Camera Trap in the Talamanca Mountains

Last week, high in the misty cloud forests of Costa Rica’s Talamanca Mountains, a DSLR camera trap deployed by WCIP founder Benjamin Luke captured this unforgettable image — a wild puma emerging from the shadows, pausing just long enough to trigger the lens.

This is no ordinary wildlife photo. Built and installed in rugged terrain, DSLR camera traps are designed to blend technology with patience — waiting silently for days or even weeks for a perfect moment like this. The result: studio-quality images of elusive species behaving naturally in their habitat.

The puma, or Puma concolor, is a keystone species in this montane ecosystem. Solitary and highly secretive, they are rarely seen, let alone photographed at this proximity and clarity. This image reflects not just the strength and grace of the animal, but the dedication behind the fieldwork that makes it possible.

At The Wild Cat Imaging Project, each capture is more than a photograph — it’s evidence of presence, a window into the wild, and a reminder of what’s at stake.

We’ll keep building, hiking, and watching — because moments like this are worth every step.