Pacheca Island, Las Perlas Archipelago, Gulf of Panama, Panama
After the Panama Canal transit we spent the night anchored off of Balboa in front of the modern city of Panama. The skyscrapers show the fast growth of the Panamanian economy. Banks, services and tourism have been shaped by this important waterway.
We started our navigation to Las Perlas around four in the morning to reach Pacheca Island. We took boat rides to see the seabirds up close. The magnificent frigatebirds are starting their breeding season and we could see a few inflated red gullar pouches. They soared effortlessly on the cliff side. They simply wait to steal the food other birds are trying to bring to their nests. The American oystercatchers showed their red bills and the bare throated tiger heron was trying to hide as we got closer.
A few dozens of brown pelicans took off in unison, and the brown and the blue-footed boobies flew in front of our boat.
We returned to the ship for lunch and an afternoon at sea. The Pantropical spotted dolphins playfully rode in the wake of the ship and gave us an opportunity to take pictures. The Audubon’s shearwaters were flying next to the ship and we came across a couple of mixed flocks of black terns, brown noodies and pink footed shearwaters.
Richard gave a great lecture on the Panamanian economy followed by recap and dinner. We closed a beautiful day in the Gulf of Panama, and we are excited about the new discoveries tomorrow will bring.
