Gulf of Panama, Pearl Islands
Last night we went to sleep pleased with our transit through the Panama Canal, we started in the Caribbean Sea and are now in the Pacific Ocean. We had crossed the Panamanian Isthmus, and from now on the rest of our trip will be along the Pacific side. We had gone across the continent, from one ocean to the other one!
After cruising for several hours, we arrived at the Pearl Island Archipelago: 90 islands and 130 islets. It is located at sixty-four kilometers southeast of Panama City.
It was the abundance of pearls that brought these islands to the Old World’s attention. Vasco Nunez de Balboa, a conquistador from Spain, led an expedition across the Isthmus of Panama in 1513. Upon reaching the Pacific Coast, he encountered natives wearing pearls. When asked about the source of these riches, the chief responded that the best pearls came from Tararequi in the Gulf of Panama, now called the “Archipielago de las Perlas”. Most Panamanian pearls were destined for Spain. Pearls became a symbol of wealth and power, and became an obsession among the elite. One of the most famous pearls from American water came from the Pearl Islands here in Panama: “La Peregrina” (often called “The Incomparable”). This pear-shaped white gem, weighing about ten grams, and was reputedly a wedding gift from Philip II of Spain to his second wife, Mary I of England. Over the centuries, it passed through a succession of royal hands, and in 1969 was sold at an auction to British actor Richard Burton, who gave it to his then wife Elizabeth Taylor, who still possesses it.
Early on the morning we began our Zodiac cruises around the Pacheca and Pachequita Islands. Frigate birds, brown boobies, brown pelicans and Neotropical cormorants were seen in large numbers. They are coming from all over Panama to reproduce here.
Seabirds may be long-lived, but generally they lay only one egg (which is not replaced if it is lost), many breed only once a year (in some cases once every two years). Consequently, they have a lower reproductive output than land birds, which although shorter-lived, lay larger clutches of eggs more frequently.
Among the highlights of the birding we had: a group of blue-footed boobies (very surprising!), Wandering tattler (one individual), American Oystercatcher (two individuals) and a Peregrine Falcon (one individual). After enjoying the dramatic coastline and the wildlife observation, we returned to the National Geographic Sea Lion for lunch. We began our cruise to Coiba Island-Panama, enjoying the marine live spotted as we cruise: Spotted dolphins and rays jumping out of the water. It has been a complete day of marine exploration in the Gulf of Panama!
