Barro Colorado Island and the Panama Canal
Morning in the tropics is a splendid period of the day, however it is short. One must rise early to catch the coolness and serenity of the moment. Though, the short period between total darkness with sparkling stars above and the orange globe popping up above the horizon is not necessarily a quiet time. As we anchored off Barro Colorado Island in Gatun Lake, howler monkeys were heralding in a new day from many different directions over the island. To tropical ecologists and science, this island created by the flooding of Gatun Lake has been probably the most studied and important pieces of forests in the tropics. For over 50 years scientists from dozens of research institutions have spent time on the island trying to explain the various processes of the tropical natural history.
We were treated this morning with an introduction to these research activities from one of the scientists, Dr. Lee. With that short lead in we then went ashore to divide into a number of smaller groups for hikes on trails used by the scientists to get through the jungle to do their studies. In addition to the ship’s naturalist staff, we were also guided by local Smithsonian guides. A third option for the morning was a Zodiac cruise along the shores of the island. Because the island had been a mountain top before the lake formed the forest carpets the island shores right into the water. All of the groups were fortunate to see a variety of wildlife and certainly learn about some of the most current research findings. We were again reminded of the unpredictability of wildlife and the tropics as different groups observed a different variety of animals.
Back on the ship for refreshing drinks and lunch, we started moving through Gatun Lake in the early afternoon. A stiff north wind blew across the lake, but it kept the mid-day heat at bay and many people sat in the front of the ship to watch our progress. For the transit down to the Atlantic, we were placed in the forward position with a bulk carrier behind. It took about an hour to go through the three locks of Gatun and finally the last gates parted so we could float at the level of the Caribbean Sea. It was only a short transit through the Bay of Colon and then to the dock. On the opposite side of the dock was a “floating city” which confirmed our desire to have been on the Sea Voyager where we could experience Central America on a truly special expedition.
Morning in the tropics is a splendid period of the day, however it is short. One must rise early to catch the coolness and serenity of the moment. Though, the short period between total darkness with sparkling stars above and the orange globe popping up above the horizon is not necessarily a quiet time. As we anchored off Barro Colorado Island in Gatun Lake, howler monkeys were heralding in a new day from many different directions over the island. To tropical ecologists and science, this island created by the flooding of Gatun Lake has been probably the most studied and important pieces of forests in the tropics. For over 50 years scientists from dozens of research institutions have spent time on the island trying to explain the various processes of the tropical natural history.
We were treated this morning with an introduction to these research activities from one of the scientists, Dr. Lee. With that short lead in we then went ashore to divide into a number of smaller groups for hikes on trails used by the scientists to get through the jungle to do their studies. In addition to the ship’s naturalist staff, we were also guided by local Smithsonian guides. A third option for the morning was a Zodiac cruise along the shores of the island. Because the island had been a mountain top before the lake formed the forest carpets the island shores right into the water. All of the groups were fortunate to see a variety of wildlife and certainly learn about some of the most current research findings. We were again reminded of the unpredictability of wildlife and the tropics as different groups observed a different variety of animals.
Back on the ship for refreshing drinks and lunch, we started moving through Gatun Lake in the early afternoon. A stiff north wind blew across the lake, but it kept the mid-day heat at bay and many people sat in the front of the ship to watch our progress. For the transit down to the Atlantic, we were placed in the forward position with a bulk carrier behind. It took about an hour to go through the three locks of Gatun and finally the last gates parted so we could float at the level of the Caribbean Sea. It was only a short transit through the Bay of Colon and then to the dock. On the opposite side of the dock was a “floating city” which confirmed our desire to have been on the Sea Voyager where we could experience Central America on a truly special expedition.
