Otoque & Bona Island, Bay of Panama, Panama
On our second day aboard the Sea Voyager, after a wonderful transit trough the Panama Canal, we found ourselves this morning in front of the islands of Otoque and Bona. These islands are known for colonies of boobies, pelicans and frigatebirds.
The islands are found on the Gulf of Panama, an area were we find a natural phenomenon called upwelling, which brings deep sea nutrients to the surface. The trade winds that blow from the north take away the surface warm waters and allow the cool waters, full of nutrients, to emerge from the ocean’s bottom. There are enough nutrients to start a biological reaction that supports these bird colonies. Frigatebirds, with their bright red gular sacs, and blue-footed boobies, with their blue bright feet, are among the starring species.
After a delicious lunch and a presentation about the history of Panama we repositioned to the little island of Iguana off of the Azuero Peninsula were we had our first introduction to the coral reef ecosystem.
As we arrived to this little piece of paradise we were received by tropical land crabs that were busy with their nesting season. Some of us went snorkeling and were rewarded by sights of parrot fish, Moorish idols, and even some surgeon fish. Others decided to take a short walk to a magnificent frigatebird colony where we an amazing amount of activity.
What a wonderful day in Panama. Tomorrow we continue our voyage aboard the Sea Voyager, I wonder what our journey has to bring.
On our second day aboard the Sea Voyager, after a wonderful transit trough the Panama Canal, we found ourselves this morning in front of the islands of Otoque and Bona. These islands are known for colonies of boobies, pelicans and frigatebirds.
The islands are found on the Gulf of Panama, an area were we find a natural phenomenon called upwelling, which brings deep sea nutrients to the surface. The trade winds that blow from the north take away the surface warm waters and allow the cool waters, full of nutrients, to emerge from the ocean’s bottom. There are enough nutrients to start a biological reaction that supports these bird colonies. Frigatebirds, with their bright red gular sacs, and blue-footed boobies, with their blue bright feet, are among the starring species.
After a delicious lunch and a presentation about the history of Panama we repositioned to the little island of Iguana off of the Azuero Peninsula were we had our first introduction to the coral reef ecosystem.
As we arrived to this little piece of paradise we were received by tropical land crabs that were busy with their nesting season. Some of us went snorkeling and were rewarded by sights of parrot fish, Moorish idols, and even some surgeon fish. Others decided to take a short walk to a magnificent frigatebird colony where we an amazing amount of activity.
What a wonderful day in Panama. Tomorrow we continue our voyage aboard the Sea Voyager, I wonder what our journey has to bring.
