Bona and Otoque Islands and the Panama Canal
As we woke up, our journey through Costa Rica and Panama continued with visits to two small islands inhabited by a high density of birds. Bona and Otoque are important nesting sites for species of birds such as blue footed and brown boobies, brown pelicans and the magnificent frigate bird. It was spectacular to see the male frigate birds displaying their red gullar pouch that attracted not only the females but each one of us, impressed by the colors and activity of these creatures. Young ones of the four species were around to show the beauty of nature. We saw other species like yellow and black crowned night herons, a Peregrine Falcon and more. As if it was not enough on our way to the Canal, we saw a bryde’s whale, and the Sea Voyager slowed down and turned around so every one got to see it. These whales feed year-round and their breathing sequence is regular but averages 4 to 7 blows followed by a long dive of up to 8 minutes. This was definitely an amazing sighting, a great closing to an ideal morning for photography lovers. Then we kept on going towards the entrance of the Panama Canal.
In the afternoon, after enjoying a cocktail hour up on the sun deck, the sunset and the crossing under the bridge of the Americas prepared our crossing through the first set of locks of the Canal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. After another amazing day, everyone had a smile on their faces and went to rest so that tomorrow finds us prepared to discover more of the beauty of the isthmus of Costa Rica and Panama.
As we woke up, our journey through Costa Rica and Panama continued with visits to two small islands inhabited by a high density of birds. Bona and Otoque are important nesting sites for species of birds such as blue footed and brown boobies, brown pelicans and the magnificent frigate bird. It was spectacular to see the male frigate birds displaying their red gullar pouch that attracted not only the females but each one of us, impressed by the colors and activity of these creatures. Young ones of the four species were around to show the beauty of nature. We saw other species like yellow and black crowned night herons, a Peregrine Falcon and more. As if it was not enough on our way to the Canal, we saw a bryde’s whale, and the Sea Voyager slowed down and turned around so every one got to see it. These whales feed year-round and their breathing sequence is regular but averages 4 to 7 blows followed by a long dive of up to 8 minutes. This was definitely an amazing sighting, a great closing to an ideal morning for photography lovers. Then we kept on going towards the entrance of the Panama Canal.
In the afternoon, after enjoying a cocktail hour up on the sun deck, the sunset and the crossing under the bridge of the Americas prepared our crossing through the first set of locks of the Canal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. After another amazing day, everyone had a smile on their faces and went to rest so that tomorrow finds us prepared to discover more of the beauty of the isthmus of Costa Rica and Panama.
