Barro Colorado Island & The Panama Canal
Today was our last day in Central America and our last adventure of our week-long journey. After spending the night in Lake Gatun we woke up as the anchor chain rumble broke the silence of dawn. We had breakfast in the lounge and then we were welcomed to Barro Colorado by Dr. Egbert Leigh (author of A Magic Web: The Forest of Barro Colorado) and a group of specialists from the research station. On this last expedition the forest rewarded us with the sight of more wildlife: agoutis, black-green poison dart frogs, howler monkeys, white face capuchin and spider monkeys, bullet ants, keel billed toucans, and snail kites. But even more important than the sight of these creatures was the opportunity we had to see what the scientific community of the Smithsonian Biological Station is doing to preserve these and other endangered environments.
The Natural Monument of Barro Colorado Island (BCI) is located in the midst of Lake Gatun, at one time the largest artificial lake on the planet. The Biological Station has been managed by the Smithsonian Institution since 1923. Lying midway between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea (9¢ª 09’N, 79¢ª 51’W) at about 15.6 km² (6 square miles), BCI is the largest island in Gatun Lake. The lake formed between 1911 and 1914 by the damming of the Chagres river to form the Canal. Gatun Lake covers 425km² (164 square miles) at an elevation of about 26m (85 feet) above sea level.
After lunch, at about 3 pm, we started our transit through the Gatun Locks. We shared the chamber with a container-ship named Cristal Rose. The Sea Voyager naturalists kept their eyes open while at the sundeck, looking for Capybaras, Crocodiles and more wildlife. The day ended with a cool Caribbean breeze and the sun setting over the ocean. This is something that only happens in Panama due to its geographical location. Right after sunset we have our farewell dinner commenting on the last week and solidifying our memories for the trip back home.
Today was our last day in Central America and our last adventure of our week-long journey. After spending the night in Lake Gatun we woke up as the anchor chain rumble broke the silence of dawn. We had breakfast in the lounge and then we were welcomed to Barro Colorado by Dr. Egbert Leigh (author of A Magic Web: The Forest of Barro Colorado) and a group of specialists from the research station. On this last expedition the forest rewarded us with the sight of more wildlife: agoutis, black-green poison dart frogs, howler monkeys, white face capuchin and spider monkeys, bullet ants, keel billed toucans, and snail kites. But even more important than the sight of these creatures was the opportunity we had to see what the scientific community of the Smithsonian Biological Station is doing to preserve these and other endangered environments.
The Natural Monument of Barro Colorado Island (BCI) is located in the midst of Lake Gatun, at one time the largest artificial lake on the planet. The Biological Station has been managed by the Smithsonian Institution since 1923. Lying midway between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea (9¢ª 09’N, 79¢ª 51’W) at about 15.6 km² (6 square miles), BCI is the largest island in Gatun Lake. The lake formed between 1911 and 1914 by the damming of the Chagres river to form the Canal. Gatun Lake covers 425km² (164 square miles) at an elevation of about 26m (85 feet) above sea level.
After lunch, at about 3 pm, we started our transit through the Gatun Locks. We shared the chamber with a container-ship named Cristal Rose. The Sea Voyager naturalists kept their eyes open while at the sundeck, looking for Capybaras, Crocodiles and more wildlife. The day ended with a cool Caribbean breeze and the sun setting over the ocean. This is something that only happens in Panama due to its geographical location. Right after sunset we have our farewell dinner commenting on the last week and solidifying our memories for the trip back home.
