Isla Iguana wildlife refuge, Panama
On our second day in Panama, we visited the beautiful, small Isla Iguana, a wildlife refuge since 1982. Once used for target practice by the US military, this island is now a sanctuary for species of sea turtles, sea birds, and of course, iguanas.
We had a delightful surprise as we walked the loop trail this morning. A breeding colony of magnificent frigatebirds! The trail took us to within arms length of their nests. Wow! To see all of the courtship displays at such a close distance, what a treat.
We ate lunch aboard and then went back to the island in the afternoon for an opportunity to snorkel in the waters surrounding this island. From June to November, Humpback whales choose these waters to mate and bear their young. As we entered the water, we were rewarded with the sight of colorful beautiful fish, moray eels and marine sea turtles.
Isla Iguana is a sanctuary for wildlife on a small piece of land off of the coast of the Peninsula of Azuero (Azuero, the same area, where I grew up). How would I ever have known that many years later I would be here having the pleasure of sharing this beautiful small piece of my country with others who are as concerned as I am about the necessity of conservation efforts in the planet?
One more experience on our voyage aboard the Sea Voyager. Next stop, the Pearl Islands.
On our second day in Panama, we visited the beautiful, small Isla Iguana, a wildlife refuge since 1982. Once used for target practice by the US military, this island is now a sanctuary for species of sea turtles, sea birds, and of course, iguanas.
We had a delightful surprise as we walked the loop trail this morning. A breeding colony of magnificent frigatebirds! The trail took us to within arms length of their nests. Wow! To see all of the courtship displays at such a close distance, what a treat.
We ate lunch aboard and then went back to the island in the afternoon for an opportunity to snorkel in the waters surrounding this island. From June to November, Humpback whales choose these waters to mate and bear their young. As we entered the water, we were rewarded with the sight of colorful beautiful fish, moray eels and marine sea turtles.
Isla Iguana is a sanctuary for wildlife on a small piece of land off of the coast of the Peninsula of Azuero (Azuero, the same area, where I grew up). How would I ever have known that many years later I would be here having the pleasure of sharing this beautiful small piece of my country with others who are as concerned as I am about the necessity of conservation efforts in the planet?
One more experience on our voyage aboard the Sea Voyager. Next stop, the Pearl Islands.
