Bona & Iguana Island
Once we left the Panama Canal and its impressive memories, we started cruising along the Bay of Panama. We headed towards a group of small islands known as one of the most important sanctuaries for several species of marine birds.
Geologically, these rocky formations are a group of continental islands that used to be part of the mainland. They emerged from the ocean due to the shifting of tectonic plates and volcanic activity. Today, magnificent frigatebirds, brown pelicans, brown boobies and blue-footed boobies are the most representative and abundant residents. The spectacular flight of the frigatebirds and their colorful pouches, during their courtship and territorial defense rituals, gave us the opportunity to see firsthand the constant effort for survival, and the continuing of a species through reproduction. The blue-footed boobies deserve a special chapter. These birds, common in other locations, are scarce on this island. However, a few of them showed up to enhance our expedition.
Later, we repositioned to another small piece of land next to Peninsula de Azuero, the largest peninsula in Panama. On the way, a pod of pantropical spotted dolphins came next to the ship. We watched their gracious movements while others got their cameras and captured the moment forever.
Once we arrived at Iguana Island we were amazed by the hundreds, or maybe thousands, of magnificent frigatebirds in flight surrounding the island. The pristine crystal clear waters and the small white sand beaches in front of coral reefs welcomed us. We walked along the trail to enjoy the recovering tropical dry forest, and discovered the secrets of past human activities at this isolated point; declared a National Wildlife Refuge by the Government of Panama.
To conclude an extraordinary day, the sunset left a tone of gold and vivid red lights around the clouds; a moment to meditate the importance of protecting the magical land of Central America.
Once we left the Panama Canal and its impressive memories, we started cruising along the Bay of Panama. We headed towards a group of small islands known as one of the most important sanctuaries for several species of marine birds.
Geologically, these rocky formations are a group of continental islands that used to be part of the mainland. They emerged from the ocean due to the shifting of tectonic plates and volcanic activity. Today, magnificent frigatebirds, brown pelicans, brown boobies and blue-footed boobies are the most representative and abundant residents. The spectacular flight of the frigatebirds and their colorful pouches, during their courtship and territorial defense rituals, gave us the opportunity to see firsthand the constant effort for survival, and the continuing of a species through reproduction. The blue-footed boobies deserve a special chapter. These birds, common in other locations, are scarce on this island. However, a few of them showed up to enhance our expedition.
Later, we repositioned to another small piece of land next to Peninsula de Azuero, the largest peninsula in Panama. On the way, a pod of pantropical spotted dolphins came next to the ship. We watched their gracious movements while others got their cameras and captured the moment forever.
Once we arrived at Iguana Island we were amazed by the hundreds, or maybe thousands, of magnificent frigatebirds in flight surrounding the island. The pristine crystal clear waters and the small white sand beaches in front of coral reefs welcomed us. We walked along the trail to enjoy the recovering tropical dry forest, and discovered the secrets of past human activities at this isolated point; declared a National Wildlife Refuge by the Government of Panama.
To conclude an extraordinary day, the sunset left a tone of gold and vivid red lights around the clouds; a moment to meditate the importance of protecting the magical land of Central America.
