Barro Colorado Island & Panama Canal
For those guests known as the early birds, the view out from the open decks of the Sea Voyage resembled all the expectations that one could have when we think of the tropics. Majestic trees as high as 150 ft, towering to the canopy as if they are trying to escape from an entangled lushness of vines, shrubs and climbers.
The first expedition of our week took us to an island that has been a biological reserve since 1923, when the Chagres River was dammed to form the Gatun Lake, the fluid heart of the Panama Canal. The island is known as Barro Colorado, referring to the dark reddish color of its soils, but the real attraction of this place relies on the fact that since 1946 it has been administrated by the Smithsonian Institute. The scientific community has been present constantly, therefore Barro Colorado is one of the most researched and explored forests within the Neotropics.
As we set a foot on the island, a colorful Slaty-tailed Trogon welcomed us, its bright red colored chest and orange beak caught the attention of our birdwatchers. But the deeper as we hiked in the forest, the more wonderful species we were encountering. Suddenly, a beige and black animal with a long tail left the forest floor to climbed a tree, it was a Tamandua Anteater, a beautiful specimen of the rain forest which dedicates its time doing short visits to the termites and ant nest within its territory.
Later on, the strong movements of the branches above our heads, warned us of the presence of a couple of Howler Monkeys eating leaves. Later these specimens made honor of their names, performing a territorial display with their loud howling sounds. After that, quite enamoured of our sightings, a medium sized rodent known as an agouti crossed among us in pursuit of desired nuts. These animals are important seed dispersers and food for major predators.
After almost three hours in the forest, we all gathered at lunch and started sharing our new discoveries: some groups got to see wild peccaries; others encountered three different species of primates: howler, white-faced and spider monkeys; the Zodiac riders shared the water with a crocodile and several beautiful birds were part of the accountings.
The afternoon gave us some time for a mandatory nap, and also an interesting lecture on the ecology of the tropical forest. We were fortunate enough to have the perfect weather to experience the second half of the Panama Canal from the sky deck, also the perfect location to admire the sun setting.
A little after dinner, we found ourselves in front of Pedro Miguel Locks ready to start our transit with already a full day of joy.
For those guests known as the early birds, the view out from the open decks of the Sea Voyage resembled all the expectations that one could have when we think of the tropics. Majestic trees as high as 150 ft, towering to the canopy as if they are trying to escape from an entangled lushness of vines, shrubs and climbers.
The first expedition of our week took us to an island that has been a biological reserve since 1923, when the Chagres River was dammed to form the Gatun Lake, the fluid heart of the Panama Canal. The island is known as Barro Colorado, referring to the dark reddish color of its soils, but the real attraction of this place relies on the fact that since 1946 it has been administrated by the Smithsonian Institute. The scientific community has been present constantly, therefore Barro Colorado is one of the most researched and explored forests within the Neotropics.
As we set a foot on the island, a colorful Slaty-tailed Trogon welcomed us, its bright red colored chest and orange beak caught the attention of our birdwatchers. But the deeper as we hiked in the forest, the more wonderful species we were encountering. Suddenly, a beige and black animal with a long tail left the forest floor to climbed a tree, it was a Tamandua Anteater, a beautiful specimen of the rain forest which dedicates its time doing short visits to the termites and ant nest within its territory.
Later on, the strong movements of the branches above our heads, warned us of the presence of a couple of Howler Monkeys eating leaves. Later these specimens made honor of their names, performing a territorial display with their loud howling sounds. After that, quite enamoured of our sightings, a medium sized rodent known as an agouti crossed among us in pursuit of desired nuts. These animals are important seed dispersers and food for major predators.
After almost three hours in the forest, we all gathered at lunch and started sharing our new discoveries: some groups got to see wild peccaries; others encountered three different species of primates: howler, white-faced and spider monkeys; the Zodiac riders shared the water with a crocodile and several beautiful birds were part of the accountings.
The afternoon gave us some time for a mandatory nap, and also an interesting lecture on the ecology of the tropical forest. We were fortunate enough to have the perfect weather to experience the second half of the Panama Canal from the sky deck, also the perfect location to admire the sun setting.
A little after dinner, we found ourselves in front of Pedro Miguel Locks ready to start our transit with already a full day of joy.
