Canopy Lodge-Day 1 Continued

 

With so many strikingly beautiful birds coming to the feeders at the lodge, it was almost overwhelming.  This edition of Naturally Digital will focus on those birds and will more than likely be more photos than text.  A little more about the physical setting first, however.

     The Lodge is a birder's dream come true.  Roll out of your "open-air" quarters at the crack of dawn to the wake-up call of tanagers, motmots, chachalacas, and more.  We folks from America find it hard to find places of such tranquility.  The omnipresent "white noise" of overhead aircraft, traffic, crowd noise etc are all but absent here.  With the occasional exception of a delivery truck bringing up fresh produce to the lodge, all one hears here are the sounds of nature.  What a treat!

     As we enjoy the freshly prepared breakfast prepared with eggs and produce delivered earlier this morning from the nearby farms, it is hard not to eat too quickly so as to move over to the captains chairs lining the railing overlooking the feeders.  We help one another in our attempts to identify one new bird after another and locate each new species for the rest of our group.  With a maximum occupancy of 28 guests, there is plenty of room for everyone to enjoy the show.

Gray-headed chachalacas

     The most dominant bird of the feeder community is the gray-headed chachalaca.  While certainly not the most colourful of the visitors to the fruit-filled feeders, it is certainly the largest.  When a pair of chachalacas decides to dine at this table, the rest of the birds generally step back and wait their turn.  About the only other patrons with priority seating are the local squirrels - Red-tailed and Variegated.  So interesting to think of our feeders back home being raided and dominated by our Grey squirrels and see basically the same scenario playing back here in the cloud forests of Panama!

Variegated squirrel

     But now, introducing some of the more striking avian guests of the lodge.....

      One of the most common birds seen was the Flame-rumped tanager.  The bird is a study in contrasts with its jet black body accentuated with a brilliant yellow lower back and rump.  This is surely one of those birds which you see once and never forget its very appropriate name.  I have mentioned how tranquil this idyllic setting usually is, but as seen here, little spats over "whose banana is this anyway!" erupt.  Here, a female Flame-rump and a Clay-colored thrush voice their displeasure with one another.

Crimson-backed tanager

     Another handsomely plumaged bird which frequents the feast is the Crimson-backed tanager.  His dark body adorned with a beautiful deep red back, rump, and lower underparts is further accented by his silvery based bill.

     I've already mentioned the many varieties of hummingbirds which frequent the grounds.  One has to be on the top of your game to be able to distinguish one species from another.  The locals seem to find telling one species from another as simple as telling one of their staff members from another, however!  This beautiful Blue-chested hummer was frequently seen taking advantage of the flowers and the feeders provided at the Lodge.

Blue-chested hummingbird

Broad-billed motmot

          Last but certainly not least on today's showcase of gorgeous birds found at the Lodge will be the Broad-billed motmot.  This medium-sized motmot is generally found at the lower levels of the forest and since we will be spending much time at higher elevations during out journey, it is a great opportunity to find this bird here at the Lodge.  Tomorrow, we will begin exploring La Mesa and Las Minas - other birding venues away from the Lodge.  What a fantastic experience to be here birding the beautiful country of Panama!