The morning found National Geography Sea Lion anchored in front of Barro Colorado Island in the heart of Gatun Lake; a man-made lake that is the backbone of the Panama Canal. The lake is surrounded by an exuberant tropical rain forest, a truly rain-making ecosystem that allows, not only the capture of the humidity brought ashore, but also the habitat where many species of plants and animals find their farthest distribution either north or south.
Barro Colorado Island is in itself an important example of tropical forest restoration. Since 1923 the island has been the open laboratory of various generations of scientists. Managed by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute for 90 years, it is the oldest research facility in the tropics of the new world.
After a quick introduction by Dr. Egbert Leigh, our guests divided the morning outing in two groups. The first group went to the island to explore the trails used mainly by the scientists that work there, where they had the opportunity to learn a bit more about the research that is taking place and the secrets developed through years and years of meticulous investigation.
The second group decided to explore around the island by cruising aboard expedition landing craft, and even though the sky was a little overcast it didn’t diminish our excitement at all. Both the land and the boat outings were rewarded with perfect weather, the spotting of several mantled howler groups feeding on leaves, as well as agouties and various species of birds, like the slaty-tailed trogon and the red-capped manakin, performing their famous dance. Those in the expedition landing craft had the chance to see the snail kite searching for food as well as a bird-eating snake and American crocodiles.
Right after lunch and a little before the expected time, the pilot from the Canal came aboard, which made it possible to continue our voyage along the Canal towards the locks on the Pacific side. It was great to get to experience the crossing during daylight because it gave us the chance to see the operations that are taking place in order to widen the channel to allow larger ships and advance of the construction of the new set of locks in the Pacific side.
After enjoying a Central American feast we finished our day passing under the Bridge of the Americas and anchored in front of the skyline of Panama City.
