Barro Colorado Island and the Panama Canal
Today was our introduction to the Neotropics, and what better place than the world-renowned Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI)? STRI and its predecessors have been conducting ecological studies on Barro Colorado Island for nearly a century. These are the longest continuously running projects in the tropics, new world or old.
A red sun rose over the navigational channel of the Panama Canal, accompanied by the fierce-sounding calls of howler monkeys. The morning light brought out the colors of forest trees in bloom – bright yellow, purple, bronze and more. A short squall cleared the tropical humidity.
By foot and by Zodiac we explored Barro Colorado Island, accompanied by Smithsonian researcher-guides and our own ship’s naturalists. In addition to receiving an introduction to STRI and the flora, fauna and the ecology of the region, there were an amazing number of exciting sightings. Birds included keel-billed toucans, chestnut-mandibled toucans, snail kites and crested guans. For mammals, our list has howler monkeys, white-faced capuchin monkeys, spider monkeys, agoutis, and an anteater, to name a few. American crocodiles, basilisk lizards and poison dart frogs were seen.
Back on board, lunch was followed by the fine program “A Man, A Plan, A Canal, Panama,” to add to our understanding and appreciation of the engineering marvel through which we were passing. We managed to fit in our safety drills as well, before entering the notorious Culebra Cut, the narrowest channel in the Canal, the Pedro Miguel lock, and finally, the two Miraflores locks which brought us back to sea level. We enjoyed our traditional Panamanian buffet dinner in the lounge and on the decks so we could watch our passage through the canal.
As the sun set, we passed under the Bridge of the Americas, which connects two segments of the Pan American highway, and we emerged into the Gulf of Panama.
Today was our introduction to the Neotropics, and what better place than the world-renowned Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI)? STRI and its predecessors have been conducting ecological studies on Barro Colorado Island for nearly a century. These are the longest continuously running projects in the tropics, new world or old.
A red sun rose over the navigational channel of the Panama Canal, accompanied by the fierce-sounding calls of howler monkeys. The morning light brought out the colors of forest trees in bloom – bright yellow, purple, bronze and more. A short squall cleared the tropical humidity.
By foot and by Zodiac we explored Barro Colorado Island, accompanied by Smithsonian researcher-guides and our own ship’s naturalists. In addition to receiving an introduction to STRI and the flora, fauna and the ecology of the region, there were an amazing number of exciting sightings. Birds included keel-billed toucans, chestnut-mandibled toucans, snail kites and crested guans. For mammals, our list has howler monkeys, white-faced capuchin monkeys, spider monkeys, agoutis, and an anteater, to name a few. American crocodiles, basilisk lizards and poison dart frogs were seen.
Back on board, lunch was followed by the fine program “A Man, A Plan, A Canal, Panama,” to add to our understanding and appreciation of the engineering marvel through which we were passing. We managed to fit in our safety drills as well, before entering the notorious Culebra Cut, the narrowest channel in the Canal, the Pedro Miguel lock, and finally, the two Miraflores locks which brought us back to sea level. We enjoyed our traditional Panamanian buffet dinner in the lounge and on the decks so we could watch our passage through the canal.
As the sun set, we passed under the Bridge of the Americas, which connects two segments of the Pan American highway, and we emerged into the Gulf of Panama.
