Panama Canal

Day 6


February 26

We arrived at the entrance to the Panama Canal on the Caribbean side at Colon, Panama early in the morning of the 26th. As we headed out onto the deck of the ship, the skies opened up as is generally the case here in Panama, sending us all back to our cabins for out rain gear. As we exited back out onto the deck, the most remarkable site for me was not necessarily the canal locks sitting in front of us, but rather the 9 Magnificent frigatebirds flying overhead. Naturally, this is the take of a birder, and I don’t mean to downplay the impressive nature of the canal. But when you’re hoping to see some frigates during the course of your cruise and you are suddenly confronted with 9 of them flying in a close range……well, that’s what we live for.

We passed through the locks and onto Gatun Lake where we disembarked and headed out onto the lake for an eco-cruise of the large inland lake which connects the eastern and western locks of the canal. On the bus ride to the docks in Colon, we stopped for a photo-op of first a sloth and then a mantled howler monkey. We hadn’t seen either since last year’s trip to Costa Rica, so it was a pleasant bonus to get these two mammals. On the lake itself, the avian life was somewhat of a disappointment with a Snail kite being the only new bird to add to our list. Back at the area where we docked, however, we did get some nice new birds for the trip. Great kiskadees, Tropical kingbird, Yellow-throated euphonia, and our first Great-tailed grackles topped the list.

From here, we travelled by bus to Christoffel where the ship had docked to await our return. Tomorrow, it’s on to Costa Rica, a paradise we are anxious to revisit after our splendid trip there last year.