Barro Colorado Island
Our day had started with a very beautiful sunrise. Many of us gathered up at the sundeck to see those first rays of the sun, promising that we were going to have a day that we would remember for the rest of our lives. The Canal pilot had repositioned the Sea Voyager close to Barro Colorado Island. The sun light began to reveal to our eyes the biological reserve protected since 1923. Barro Colorado Island (BCI) was created not long after the area was isolated from the mainland by the creation of Gatun Lake. Today, as a result of the continuing protection and biological interest, BCI has become one of the most studied sites in the Neotropics. After the Convention on Nature Protection and Wildlife Preservation in the Western Hemisphere, it was declared a Nature Monument.
Hikes or Zodiac cruises were the options. Eager to see what BCI had to offer us, we had to make our choices. After the local guides of BCI gave us an introduction to the area, we went to enjoy its wonders. Learning about the different research that is being done around this Monument, we had just a glimpse of all of nature’s secrets, and those yet to be discovered and understood. American Crocodiles, Trogons, Spider monkeys, Howler Monkeys, Keel Billed Toucans, were some of the sightings. But learning about how, in the middle of the Canal, there is still a sanctuary of wildlife and biodiversity was what really caught our attention, especially in how all the research being done is helping us to understand a little bit more in order to keep on preserving our planet.
Back on board, we discussed all of these wonders. As we saw the pilot boat arrive with our new pilot, we knew that our trip was coming to an end. We were going to complete our transit trough the Canal early in the afternoon. The days passed quickly, but what we experienced in them will always stay in our minds!
Our day had started with a very beautiful sunrise. Many of us gathered up at the sundeck to see those first rays of the sun, promising that we were going to have a day that we would remember for the rest of our lives. The Canal pilot had repositioned the Sea Voyager close to Barro Colorado Island. The sun light began to reveal to our eyes the biological reserve protected since 1923. Barro Colorado Island (BCI) was created not long after the area was isolated from the mainland by the creation of Gatun Lake. Today, as a result of the continuing protection and biological interest, BCI has become one of the most studied sites in the Neotropics. After the Convention on Nature Protection and Wildlife Preservation in the Western Hemisphere, it was declared a Nature Monument.
Hikes or Zodiac cruises were the options. Eager to see what BCI had to offer us, we had to make our choices. After the local guides of BCI gave us an introduction to the area, we went to enjoy its wonders. Learning about the different research that is being done around this Monument, we had just a glimpse of all of nature’s secrets, and those yet to be discovered and understood. American Crocodiles, Trogons, Spider monkeys, Howler Monkeys, Keel Billed Toucans, were some of the sightings. But learning about how, in the middle of the Canal, there is still a sanctuary of wildlife and biodiversity was what really caught our attention, especially in how all the research being done is helping us to understand a little bit more in order to keep on preserving our planet.
Back on board, we discussed all of these wonders. As we saw the pilot boat arrive with our new pilot, we knew that our trip was coming to an end. We were going to complete our transit trough the Canal early in the afternoon. The days passed quickly, but what we experienced in them will always stay in our minds!
