Farallones Islands and Isla Iguana Wild Life Refuge, Gulf of Panama
The Sea Voyager had spent the night anchored among the Farallones Islands. As the sun began to give its rays, the islands began to show up. Otoque, Bona and Estiva are the names of the islands that form part of the Farallones islands. Eager to check out what the islands could offer, we had an early birding Zodiac cruise. The area, known to be part of the upwelling zone of the Gulf of Panama, will gather big colonies of seabirds. During this time of the year, the trade winds blow off the warm surface waters allowing the cold water to rise to the surface bringing a lot of nutrients, creating great feeding frenzies. The perfect place for seabirds to nest! Brown boobies, blue footed boobies, magnificent frigatebirds and brown pelicans will be the main resident of these islands.
Back on board, we started our sail towards our next stop of the day, Isla Iguana Wild Life Refuge located near the Azuero peninsula. This refuge created in 1981 has a nice Frigatebird colony plus an interesting restored coral reef. Once there, some took a hike towards the nesting site of the frigatebirds. We could closely see the sexual display of the male frigatebirds, inflating their red gullar pouch. During World War II, this island was used to test weapons, and we can still see the effects of such test. The corals were severely affected by this, but little by little, they are being restored, and those who went snorkeling could appreciate the patches of coral that are regenerating and covering the area that they formerly occupied.
What a day! Yet, we all concluded that it had been just another day in paradise!
The Sea Voyager had spent the night anchored among the Farallones Islands. As the sun began to give its rays, the islands began to show up. Otoque, Bona and Estiva are the names of the islands that form part of the Farallones islands. Eager to check out what the islands could offer, we had an early birding Zodiac cruise. The area, known to be part of the upwelling zone of the Gulf of Panama, will gather big colonies of seabirds. During this time of the year, the trade winds blow off the warm surface waters allowing the cold water to rise to the surface bringing a lot of nutrients, creating great feeding frenzies. The perfect place for seabirds to nest! Brown boobies, blue footed boobies, magnificent frigatebirds and brown pelicans will be the main resident of these islands.
Back on board, we started our sail towards our next stop of the day, Isla Iguana Wild Life Refuge located near the Azuero peninsula. This refuge created in 1981 has a nice Frigatebird colony plus an interesting restored coral reef. Once there, some took a hike towards the nesting site of the frigatebirds. We could closely see the sexual display of the male frigatebirds, inflating their red gullar pouch. During World War II, this island was used to test weapons, and we can still see the effects of such test. The corals were severely affected by this, but little by little, they are being restored, and those who went snorkeling could appreciate the patches of coral that are regenerating and covering the area that they formerly occupied.
What a day! Yet, we all concluded that it had been just another day in paradise!
