Bona and the Gulf of Panama
Our day began today in the Gulf of Panama, at anchor off the island of Bona. This small island, located in this area of ocean upwelling is home to numerous seabirds, and when we say “numerous” we mean numerous — nay, we mean gazillions of seabirds! In the skies all around the ship were brown boobies, blue-footed boobies, magnificent frigatebirds and brown pelicans.
So immediately after a relaxed breakfast, we began Zodiac cruises around these remarkable colonies of seabirds. The magnificent frigatebirds were busy indeed, some of the males inflating their red gular pouches (see photo) and desperately trying to attract the attention of any passing female! There were also other male frigatebirds busy carrying twigs back to the island to start construction of their nest so that they too could start displaying and attract their own females.
There were roosting brown pelicans everywhere, but the busiest birds were the boobies who were flying off to fish, while others came back from their fishing forays. All too soon the Zodiac cruises were over, but the fun was just beginning! Now we had the chance to swim off the stern in these inviting waters. Soon many of us were in the Pacific waters, swimming against the current that threatened to pull us away, but really just gave us a good workout.
We lifted anchor at lunch and began sailing through the Gulf of Panama, enjoying some fine sea conditions, the opportunity to relax, and a couple of short presentations in the Lounge. This evening we had a spectacular sunset and moon rise, as the ship was accompanied by jumping spotted dolphins and as darkness fell a solitary sea turtle right at the surface.
Our day began today in the Gulf of Panama, at anchor off the island of Bona. This small island, located in this area of ocean upwelling is home to numerous seabirds, and when we say “numerous” we mean numerous — nay, we mean gazillions of seabirds! In the skies all around the ship were brown boobies, blue-footed boobies, magnificent frigatebirds and brown pelicans.
So immediately after a relaxed breakfast, we began Zodiac cruises around these remarkable colonies of seabirds. The magnificent frigatebirds were busy indeed, some of the males inflating their red gular pouches (see photo) and desperately trying to attract the attention of any passing female! There were also other male frigatebirds busy carrying twigs back to the island to start construction of their nest so that they too could start displaying and attract their own females.
There were roosting brown pelicans everywhere, but the busiest birds were the boobies who were flying off to fish, while others came back from their fishing forays. All too soon the Zodiac cruises were over, but the fun was just beginning! Now we had the chance to swim off the stern in these inviting waters. Soon many of us were in the Pacific waters, swimming against the current that threatened to pull us away, but really just gave us a good workout.
We lifted anchor at lunch and began sailing through the Gulf of Panama, enjoying some fine sea conditions, the opportunity to relax, and a couple of short presentations in the Lounge. This evening we had a spectacular sunset and moon rise, as the ship was accompanied by jumping spotted dolphins and as darkness fell a solitary sea turtle right at the surface.
