We’re flying down to
Panama tomorrow. Our first trip was in
2006 and was absolutely wonderful.
Panama is in Central
America. It is bordered by Costa Rica to
the west and Colombia to the southeast.
When we were there in
2006 the country was gearing up for an election to expand the canal. At a cost of 5 billion dollars, expected
completion was 2014. The new locks
opened 2 years after the expected completion date and one billion dollars over
budget.
We watched several
ships move through the locks. This coming
trip we will not be in the area of the canal so we’re glad we were able to see
it previously.
Ship in the locks.
The national bird of
Panama is the Harpy Eagle. We were able
to see two Harpy's in a zoo but didn’t see any in the wild. This coming trip will put us in prime Harpy
habitat.
Harpy Eagle
Would you like to see
the largest rodent in the world?
Actually they’re pretty cute!
Capybara
We haven’t seen all
987 bird species of Panama but we have seen lots of beautiful, colorful birds.
Capped Heron
Crimson-backed Tanager
Blue-gray Tanager
Spectacled Owl
Keel-billed Toucan
Blue Morpho
Clearwing
Green Vine Snake eating a Palm Tanager
Passionflower
Hanging out with the hummingbirds.
3-toed Sloth
Our first week will be spent in the Darian. An area we haven't visited before. From there it's several days at Canopy Lodge. We spent some time at Canopy Lodge in 2006 and really enjoyed this beautiful place.
Our room in 2006.
I'm sure the time will go by way to fast and we will be home before we know it with lots and lots of pictures.
Hasta la vista.
Teri
