Gulf of Panama, Panama
As the sun peaked over the horizon of clouds to the east, we approached a small group of islands in the northern part of the Gulf of Panama. After a hearty relaxed breakfast we started the morning’s activities. The Captain had anchored us relatively close to the island, which afforded us protection from a strong northerly trade wind. Calm seas around the ship and close to shore allowed a group of kayakers to paddle quietly as dozens of Brown Pelicans and Magnificent Frigatebirds soared overhead. For those not interested in a morning kayaking, there was an opportunity to cruise along the shores of these islands watching the amazing flights of the nesting seabirds. Brown Pelicans perched precariously on the top branches of what looked like dead trees. We learned however that the trees were just leafless and dormant as this was the way of coping with the lack of water during the dry season. Bare branches of the treetops provided perfect-nesting sites for the clumsy Brown Pelicans that brought random sticks picked up from the water or on the ground and piled them into a loose platform. Some of these platforms were occupied by incubating birds. Other pelicans perched along the shoreline drying out from a recent bath in the waters below.
After cruising along the shores of one of the islands we cut across the bay to a second island. This island rose steeply all around to a high peak. Even higher above the peak we could see hundreds of birds effortlessly soaring. Rounding a point of land we were protected from the wind and could see birds sitting in clumps on the treetops. These were the same birds soaring all over in the sky above the island. These were Magnificent Frigatebirds having a wingspan of about 6-7 ft and only weighing about three pounds making them one of the best fliers in the bird world. Birds sitting on the trees were in various stages of the breeding process. The males that were most interested in attracting females were quite obvious as they had a huge inflated bright red pouch sticking out of their necks. A few birds would even fly off before letting the air out of their neck balloons. On the ground at the exposed points of the island Brown Boobies nested. A few of these very sleek looking birds followed closely above the Zodiacs as we headed back to the ship. Our afternoon and evening would be an exciting time as we passed through the first half of the Panama Canal.
