The morning found National Geographic Quest anchored in front of Barro Colorado Island, a former hill that is now an island, which was created by flooding a valley with the waters of the Chagras River. The island became the heart of the manmade lake and its primary objective is to supply the water needed for the Panama Canal operation. Barro Colorado turned into the most important neotropical research center.
Today we visited this marvelous facility. Some guests walked the trails while others cared more for Zodiac cruises as well as visiting the Discovery Center nearby. Snail kites, crested coquette, white hawks, and red-capped manikins were some of the birds spotted, as well as several species of mammals like mantled howler and white-headed capuchin monkeys and Central American agouti’s. Later in the day, and after enjoying a dancing exhibition, we began the final part of our transit towards Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks.
