Manatee River and Goff’s Caye, Belize
For those up early, the skies were dark with thick clouds but they only lasted minutes before clearing up to what became a spectacular day in Belize. The Manatee River beckoned, so kayaks were taken to the river bank for some guests while others explored the river in Zodiacs.
The manatees followed the script perfectly with many being sighted from both modes of transportation. These gentle giants are often secretive and shy, but they strutted (or more accurately flippered) their stuff today. Many species of birds were observed along the river as well. A large group of spotted eagle rays was also seen. This chronicler and several kayakers decided to investigate one of the bases of the food webs here – the specialized fauna of the mangrove roots. Oysters, barnacles, snails, and grapsid crabs were abundant providing food for other species such as our flying feathered “fiends” (which eat “my” fish and invertebrates).
Back on board the Sea Lion, Lisa Sette talked about the manatees and her research here on the river at Gale’s Point. A tasty lunch was followed by a “power nap” prior to the afternoon’s activities.
Most of the guests took Zodiac rides to tiny Goff’s Caye where they could relax under a palm tree with a book, extend their siesta on the beach, or enjoy snorkeling in the clear waters. The truly adventurous went SCUBA diving in the clear waters at the edge of the reef. We were fortunate to see several lobster “survivors” (the ones that didn’t make it onto the table for the Captain’s farewell dinner). There were beautiful angelfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish and damsels offering a wondrous palette of color that converted many of the most cynical birders to the lure of the undersea world. The most interesting sighting may well have been the hawksbill turtle that all the divers observed.
Back on board guests enjoyed a marvelous farewell dinner. Afterwards some watched video of trips to the Antarctic and the Galápagos while others retired to pack their bags for an “all-too-soon” departure in the morning.
For those up early, the skies were dark with thick clouds but they only lasted minutes before clearing up to what became a spectacular day in Belize. The Manatee River beckoned, so kayaks were taken to the river bank for some guests while others explored the river in Zodiacs.
The manatees followed the script perfectly with many being sighted from both modes of transportation. These gentle giants are often secretive and shy, but they strutted (or more accurately flippered) their stuff today. Many species of birds were observed along the river as well. A large group of spotted eagle rays was also seen. This chronicler and several kayakers decided to investigate one of the bases of the food webs here – the specialized fauna of the mangrove roots. Oysters, barnacles, snails, and grapsid crabs were abundant providing food for other species such as our flying feathered “fiends” (which eat “my” fish and invertebrates).
Back on board the Sea Lion, Lisa Sette talked about the manatees and her research here on the river at Gale’s Point. A tasty lunch was followed by a “power nap” prior to the afternoon’s activities.
Most of the guests took Zodiac rides to tiny Goff’s Caye where they could relax under a palm tree with a book, extend their siesta on the beach, or enjoy snorkeling in the clear waters. The truly adventurous went SCUBA diving in the clear waters at the edge of the reef. We were fortunate to see several lobster “survivors” (the ones that didn’t make it onto the table for the Captain’s farewell dinner). There were beautiful angelfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish and damsels offering a wondrous palette of color that converted many of the most cynical birders to the lure of the undersea world. The most interesting sighting may well have been the hawksbill turtle that all the divers observed.
Back on board guests enjoyed a marvelous farewell dinner. Afterwards some watched video of trips to the Antarctic and the Galápagos while others retired to pack their bags for an “all-too-soon” departure in the morning.
