Bay of Panama and the Panama Canal, Panama
This morning we woke up closer to one of the highlights of the trip: the Panama Canal. But as we waited for our cruising time, we visited a trio of fantastic bird-inhabited islands called Otoque, Bona, and Estiva which are located just outside of the entrance to the Canal within the Bay of Panama. We took Zodiac cruises around these islands and found an incredible number of seabirds. As simple as their life may seem, sea birds have to deal with certain difficulties we may not be aware of. Birds must keep their plumage in good condition if they are to survive and breed. Most seabirds change or moult their feathers each year or so before they become too ragged. Between moults, birds spend much time preening their feathers, straightening them out and keeping them oiled and waterproof. In virtually any seabird colony you visit, there will be some birds meticulously taking care of their plumage.
Seabirds must also try to keep cool under the hot sun. Some chicks are often to be found sitting in the meager shade of shrubs; boobies, pelicans, cormorants, and frigatebirds all use a form of panting, called "gular fluttering" to lose heat. The loose flaps of skin between the bill and neck are moved and the air currents generated evaporate moisture and cause evaporative cooling. Seabirds must also overcome the problem of salt accumulation. The Ancient Mariner was correct in saying "water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink," as sea water contains about 3 per cent salt and is about three times as salty as a bird's body fluids. Most terrestrial vertebrates eliminate salts via their kidneys, but when faced with sea water they would have to excrete two liters of urine for every liter of sea water drunk. As birds conserve water by not excreting water but a paste composed of uric acid, seabirds have a special problem. In seabirds, as well as several terrestrial species, there are special glands located above the eyes which can secrete a 5 per cent salt solution. In most species, it dribbles out of the internal or external nostrils or is forcibly ejected through the tubular nostrils. One often sees recently returned boobies shaking the drops from their bill. We saw today a large array of other seabird behavior such as frigatebirds courting displays, brown pelican nest building behavior, and brown boobies taking care of their chicks… What ever we saw today was worth the windy ride!
During the afternoon, we repositioned our ship towards the entrance to the Panama Canal and thus the rest of our adventure continues…
This morning we woke up closer to one of the highlights of the trip: the Panama Canal. But as we waited for our cruising time, we visited a trio of fantastic bird-inhabited islands called Otoque, Bona, and Estiva which are located just outside of the entrance to the Canal within the Bay of Panama. We took Zodiac cruises around these islands and found an incredible number of seabirds. As simple as their life may seem, sea birds have to deal with certain difficulties we may not be aware of. Birds must keep their plumage in good condition if they are to survive and breed. Most seabirds change or moult their feathers each year or so before they become too ragged. Between moults, birds spend much time preening their feathers, straightening them out and keeping them oiled and waterproof. In virtually any seabird colony you visit, there will be some birds meticulously taking care of their plumage.
Seabirds must also try to keep cool under the hot sun. Some chicks are often to be found sitting in the meager shade of shrubs; boobies, pelicans, cormorants, and frigatebirds all use a form of panting, called "gular fluttering" to lose heat. The loose flaps of skin between the bill and neck are moved and the air currents generated evaporate moisture and cause evaporative cooling. Seabirds must also overcome the problem of salt accumulation. The Ancient Mariner was correct in saying "water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink," as sea water contains about 3 per cent salt and is about three times as salty as a bird's body fluids. Most terrestrial vertebrates eliminate salts via their kidneys, but when faced with sea water they would have to excrete two liters of urine for every liter of sea water drunk. As birds conserve water by not excreting water but a paste composed of uric acid, seabirds have a special problem. In seabirds, as well as several terrestrial species, there are special glands located above the eyes which can secrete a 5 per cent salt solution. In most species, it dribbles out of the internal or external nostrils or is forcibly ejected through the tubular nostrils. One often sees recently returned boobies shaking the drops from their bill. We saw today a large array of other seabird behavior such as frigatebirds courting displays, brown pelican nest building behavior, and brown boobies taking care of their chicks… What ever we saw today was worth the windy ride!
During the afternoon, we repositioned our ship towards the entrance to the Panama Canal and thus the rest of our adventure continues…
