Barro Colorado Island, Panama

Much of what we know about tropical ecology has come from the research conducted on Barro Colorado Island (BCI) and today we had the opportunity to visit this remarkable place.

This island was formed during the construction of the Panama Canal. Once part of the mainland, it is now isolated in Gatun Lake. Managed by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, it has been the site of scientific surveys for over 75 years.

On the island, we were among scientists conducting their studies. As we listened to the bellowing howler monkeys and learned about their social behavior, those very monkeys are being investigated so that maybe next year, we will be able to learn something new that is unknown today. We were very privileged to be guests at this special living laboratory.

The rainforest is almost overwhelming with complexity and my eyes were quickly saturated with the excess of trees and vines and mushrooms and insects. With so many stimuli, I thought, “What would it be like to enter the rainforest blindfolded?” So today, I decided to conduct my own experiment at BCI by periodically closing my eyes and letting my other senses investigate my surroundings. Immediately, my ears became my eyes. The loud hum of cicadas was like entering an auditorium with a roaring crowd. Amongst this insect chorus, the roars of howler monkeys echoed through the trees. These vocal primates had a lot to say to each other, but I unfortunately did not understand their language. Then, I was fooled when I thought I head a frog. The short bursts of croaking were actually coming from a Chestnut-mandibled Toucan! The distinguished call of a bird of prey, probably a snail kite, was familiar despite my being so far from home.

However, the biggest reward to my ears was a very unique quivering whistle. This call identified the presence of a great tinamou. This chicken-like bird is associated with mature forests and reminded me that BCI is protected as biological reserve and this sanctuary maintains a flourishing ecosystem.

When I did finally open my eyes, I was greeted by a beautiful, blooming passion flower. There is so much to see, hear and smell! I finish our hike with all my senses saturated by this extraordinary environment.