Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Refuge
Today was our first day exploring Belize, and it was magnificent. Arising before the sun, we set out for Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Refuge in the foothills of the Maya Mountains. The early birds arrived at the visitor’s center just before 7am, and were greeted by three plain chachalacas. The folks that opted to sleep in a bit arrived around 8am for their morning’s adventure. Over half of our company decided to float the river that runs through the reserve – on inner tubes! South Stann Creek was flowing full today, so the ride was swift and hoots and hollers were added to the usual rainforest sounds. The rest of us split into smaller groups – opting either to hike to a beautiful jungle waterfall, remain at the visitor’s center and watch for wildlife or stroll the Warri Loop trail, searching for birds and learning the names of many tropical plants. Bright tropical birds such as the squirrel cuckoo, white-collared manakin, golden-hooded tanager and black-cowled oriole were among the morning’s highlights.
After returning to the ship for lunch and a siesta, we had an amazing afternoon at Sapodilla Lagoon. Traveling by Zodiac up Cabbage Haul Creek, we spent the final hours of the day with numerous American crocodiles, wood storks and black-headed trogons. The lower reaches of the creek are bordered by mangroves, which then give way to pine savannah farther away from the sea. In addition to the abundant wildlife, we saw flowering orchids on the banks of the creek and epiphytic bromeliads on the branches of stunted mangroves. We returned to the Sea Lion under a glorious sunset on flat calm seas for showers and cocktails, recap and dinner.
Today was our first day exploring Belize, and it was magnificent. Arising before the sun, we set out for Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Refuge in the foothills of the Maya Mountains. The early birds arrived at the visitor’s center just before 7am, and were greeted by three plain chachalacas. The folks that opted to sleep in a bit arrived around 8am for their morning’s adventure. Over half of our company decided to float the river that runs through the reserve – on inner tubes! South Stann Creek was flowing full today, so the ride was swift and hoots and hollers were added to the usual rainforest sounds. The rest of us split into smaller groups – opting either to hike to a beautiful jungle waterfall, remain at the visitor’s center and watch for wildlife or stroll the Warri Loop trail, searching for birds and learning the names of many tropical plants. Bright tropical birds such as the squirrel cuckoo, white-collared manakin, golden-hooded tanager and black-cowled oriole were among the morning’s highlights.
After returning to the ship for lunch and a siesta, we had an amazing afternoon at Sapodilla Lagoon. Traveling by Zodiac up Cabbage Haul Creek, we spent the final hours of the day with numerous American crocodiles, wood storks and black-headed trogons. The lower reaches of the creek are bordered by mangroves, which then give way to pine savannah farther away from the sea. In addition to the abundant wildlife, we saw flowering orchids on the banks of the creek and epiphytic bromeliads on the branches of stunted mangroves. We returned to the Sea Lion under a glorious sunset on flat calm seas for showers and cocktails, recap and dinner.
