Category: Animals and Birds

Panama Rainforest Discovery Center

Posted in Animals and Birds, Canals, Day Trips, Great Fun For The Kids, Hiking, Incredible Vistas, Panama, Travel, Visitor Centers, ZoosTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Yesterday I went on a group adventure to the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center which is located approximately 45 minutes outside Panama City near Gamboa. Built as an educational center, it allows people to experience jungle life with the numerous birds, insects and animals who survive and thrive within its boundaries.

Within minutes of our arrival we heard the howler monkeys (monos aulladores) voices echoing from the treetops. It is hard to believe that an animal of such a small stature can make such a big noise! Later on one of the many hiking trails, we spied them sleeping as a group in the trees.

Howler Monkeys

The Panama Rainforest Discovery Center is known as one of the premier bird watching locations in the world. In fact, in 1985 the Audubon Society held a bird count and an amazing 385 different species of were spotted…a new record for the greatest variety of birds seen within a 24 hour period. Birdwatchers advise getting to the center at opening time (6 am) to get the most out of your birdwatching experience.

One of the educational offerings is the hummingbird observation area at which you can see numerous different types of hummingbirds. Unfortunately, when we were there we only saw a few which I believe was a result of the size of our group and the time of day. Because my photos did not turn out very good so I am posting a picture that is found at the center which shows the types of hummingbirds that you can observe in the area.

The Discovery Center has numerous groomed hiking trails throughout its boarders and they range from easy to slightly more difficult. As you hike along you will hear bird songs which range from soft and sweet to slightly jarring. There is nothing like a good bird song to delight the ears! Click the picture below to hear one very happy bird.

Click to hear the birds

Another interesting feature of the park is the Observation Tower which takes you high above the jungle canopy. There are numerous steps to the top but it is a relatively easy climb and you are well rewarded by the incredible vistas. There is a slight sway to the tower but don’t worry it is a completely normal.

View from the top

There is also a small lake named Largo Calamita with benches to sit and enjoy local waterfowl such as jacanas and egrets. Park rangers say you might even spy a crocodile or two.

Lake Calamito
Termite Nest

If you are a tourist there is a rather hefty entrance fee to get into the park but between the possible encounters with monkeys, birds, sloths and anteaters I think it is worth it. In addition, to get to the Discovery Center you have to pass on the other side of the Panama Canal which gives you an up close view of the boats passing through. That alone is worth it in my opinion.

For now, I leave you with more photos of the day which I hope leaves you wanting to visit the incredible nation of Panama and its many forms of diversity.

A Painfully Noisy Day

Posted in Animals and Birds, Costa Rica, Festivals, Markets, Mountains, UncategorizedTagged , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Before you set off on a trip, you tend to believe that your time away will be nothing but glorious. Today was not that day.

It started with my computer that decided it did not want to wake up when I did. As a matter of fact, it hasn’t woken up all day. This is obviously a very bad sign, especially when you are living in the middle of rural Costa Rica and there’s nowhere that can fix it . Therefore, I’m attempting to write this blog by speaking into a microphone. We shall see how it goes, but I would expect a lot of typos that I’m probably too lazy to fix.

After I discovered the bad news about my computer, I decided to take a walk. It was a lovely morning … cloudy with mist hanging over the mountains and not yet hot. I had one cup of coffee in and enough caffeine to probably get me to the next village when I heard this.:

After that excitement, I drove to Nicoya where I was delighted to find a new store with all sorts of gluten-free items. Of course, it was expensive but great to find as I started home. A huge thunderstorm arrived. The thunderstorms are very loud because they echo across the valley. It’s kind of cool and I like them. However, I lost my GPS and therefore my way home. I ended up only God knows where in the back country, even further back than I currently am, trying to find my way out. Eventually, I made it home, unlocked the gate in the pouring rain, looked up, to see what all the racket was. It was these beautiful parrots. Take a listen and a look: (For some reason you have to press the triangles even though there is no movie… then it shows up)


Parrots

All is well until right after I finish filming this when I slipped on a wet rock and landed on my shoulder, you know the one with the torn rotator cuff. At first, I thought I broke my wrist, but I didn’t. Thank goodness, but I did screw up the shoulder again. I’d like to say the video of the parrots was worth it… We shall see about that!

Today is the festival so I will be going to the school at 4 PM to help celebrate. I was invited and I think it has something to do with beans. It is also Costa Rica’s Independence Day so I guess I will find out how beans tie into that But I’m excited and honored that I was asked to come. I’ll let you know how it goes.