Gulf of Panama and Panama Canal, Panama
Today we awoke to lovely calm seas as we sailed across the Gulf of Panama, our destination some of the smaller islands in this large bay. We anchored after breakfast and had ample opportunities to explore a small cluster of islands by Zodiac or by kayak, or of course we could relax aboard the ship. The islands are located in an area of ocean upwelling and the resulting high levels of nutrients ensure a rich fishery, and this was clearly being exploited by the literally thousands and thousands of seabirds that make these islands home. We could watch the Magnificent frigatebirds soaring high above the Brown boobies and Blue-footed boobies that must run the gauntlet of marauding Frigatebirds every time the boobies return home with their catch. Some of the male Magnificent frigatebirds were displaying their inflated gular pouches, in hopes of attracting a passing female. We explored here until lunch, some even glimpsing a hunting Peregrine falcon, before we headed for the Panama Canal.
We arrived at the “Sea Buoy” at 3pm and waited for our Pilot to arrive, as we waited we could watch the ship traffic passing in and out of the Canal, with the dramatic skyline of Panama City in the distance. Late this afternoon we began our Canal transit, passing under the Bridge of the Americas at 5:30 as the sunset and we toasted another fantastic day with some “Panama Mala” cocktails. We then transited the two Miraflores locks and the Pedro Miguel Lock before anchoring for the night in Gatun Lake. Tomorrow we will be visiting the Smithsonian Institution Research Station on Barro Colorado Island, and spirits are high.
Today we awoke to lovely calm seas as we sailed across the Gulf of Panama, our destination some of the smaller islands in this large bay. We anchored after breakfast and had ample opportunities to explore a small cluster of islands by Zodiac or by kayak, or of course we could relax aboard the ship. The islands are located in an area of ocean upwelling and the resulting high levels of nutrients ensure a rich fishery, and this was clearly being exploited by the literally thousands and thousands of seabirds that make these islands home. We could watch the Magnificent frigatebirds soaring high above the Brown boobies and Blue-footed boobies that must run the gauntlet of marauding Frigatebirds every time the boobies return home with their catch. Some of the male Magnificent frigatebirds were displaying their inflated gular pouches, in hopes of attracting a passing female. We explored here until lunch, some even glimpsing a hunting Peregrine falcon, before we headed for the Panama Canal.
We arrived at the “Sea Buoy” at 3pm and waited for our Pilot to arrive, as we waited we could watch the ship traffic passing in and out of the Canal, with the dramatic skyline of Panama City in the distance. Late this afternoon we began our Canal transit, passing under the Bridge of the Americas at 5:30 as the sunset and we toasted another fantastic day with some “Panama Mala” cocktails. We then transited the two Miraflores locks and the Pedro Miguel Lock before anchoring for the night in Gatun Lake. Tomorrow we will be visiting the Smithsonian Institution Research Station on Barro Colorado Island, and spirits are high.
