Bay of Panama & Pacific Locks of the Panama Canal
The morning sun witnessed the Sea Voyager dropping anchor in one of the archipelagos within the large Bay of Panama. Many of these islands are not big enough to offer lush vegetation, or enough area for mammals to develop, or water for humans to live on; this results in perfect conditions for sea birds to nest. But birds do not migrate or nest in particular areas or times of the year just because there are less predators; it is because there is always a bounty of food.
The ocean waters of the Bay of Panama are influenced in a major way by the Trade Winds that blow from the northeast entering over the Caribbean side, but as the central area from Panama lacks the presence of high mountain ranges, these strong winds make it all the way into the pacific blowing the warm surface waters away, allowing the cold water from the ocean bottom to arise. This nutrient rich water is transformed by the phytoplankton into food for sardines and anchovies, which will begin this marine food web.
Due to this 24/7 open sushi buffet, any island within the Bay could be a great nesting site for sea birds. Yesterday we explored the Archipelago of Otoque and Bona, a complex of three volcanic islands, one of them hosts a fishing community and the other two are incredible bird rookeries. With our Zodiacs we were able to see the brown pelican up close and personal. They and the Peruvian pelicans are the only pelicans that plunge dive from the sky despite their heavy body. Besides pelicans, the islands are important nesting sites for the brown boobies. Unlike pelicans and frigates that make a base of twigs on bushes, boobies prefer to build their nest on the bare rock or ledges.
But maybe the most attractive sea bird we saw was the impressive magnificent frigatebird that reaches almost 6 feet wingspan. The males are quite conspicuous due to their red gular pouch which they will inflate during courtship displays. But what caught everyone’s attention were at least three frigatebird hatchlings still wearing their down coats… too cute!
As if this display of wildlife had not been enough, as we started navigating a mother and calf Bryde’s whale showed up at the bow. These whales are restricted to tropical and subtropical zones and will feed on krill, sardines, herrings, mackerel and anchovies. Slowly it swam away, and we turned the engines on and continued to our next destination, the crossing of the world-known Panama Canal.
The morning sun witnessed the Sea Voyager dropping anchor in one of the archipelagos within the large Bay of Panama. Many of these islands are not big enough to offer lush vegetation, or enough area for mammals to develop, or water for humans to live on; this results in perfect conditions for sea birds to nest. But birds do not migrate or nest in particular areas or times of the year just because there are less predators; it is because there is always a bounty of food.
The ocean waters of the Bay of Panama are influenced in a major way by the Trade Winds that blow from the northeast entering over the Caribbean side, but as the central area from Panama lacks the presence of high mountain ranges, these strong winds make it all the way into the pacific blowing the warm surface waters away, allowing the cold water from the ocean bottom to arise. This nutrient rich water is transformed by the phytoplankton into food for sardines and anchovies, which will begin this marine food web.
Due to this 24/7 open sushi buffet, any island within the Bay could be a great nesting site for sea birds. Yesterday we explored the Archipelago of Otoque and Bona, a complex of three volcanic islands, one of them hosts a fishing community and the other two are incredible bird rookeries. With our Zodiacs we were able to see the brown pelican up close and personal. They and the Peruvian pelicans are the only pelicans that plunge dive from the sky despite their heavy body. Besides pelicans, the islands are important nesting sites for the brown boobies. Unlike pelicans and frigates that make a base of twigs on bushes, boobies prefer to build their nest on the bare rock or ledges.
But maybe the most attractive sea bird we saw was the impressive magnificent frigatebird that reaches almost 6 feet wingspan. The males are quite conspicuous due to their red gular pouch which they will inflate during courtship displays. But what caught everyone’s attention were at least three frigatebird hatchlings still wearing their down coats… too cute!
As if this display of wildlife had not been enough, as we started navigating a mother and calf Bryde’s whale showed up at the bow. These whales are restricted to tropical and subtropical zones and will feed on krill, sardines, herrings, mackerel and anchovies. Slowly it swam away, and we turned the engines on and continued to our next destination, the crossing of the world-known Panama Canal.
