Isla Bona and Panama Canal
Tucked into the northwest corner of the Gulf of Panama are a scattering of islands, just a few miles from the isthmus. These islands sit near the edge of the continental shelf where cold, nutrient rich waters from the depths of the Pacific are exposed to the energy of the sun, resulting in a rich biological brew. Fish are abundant here, as are seabirds which harvest the fish.
This morning we used our fleet of Zodiacs to explore Isla Bona, a roosting and nesting site for an abundance of seabirds. Downy brown booby chicks stared down at us from their rock perches. Black vultures joined magnificent frigatebirds in impressive numbers, as they circled the warm air currents to gain elevation before radiating in all directions for their daily foraging. Other frigatebirds were perched in dense concentrations, including many males with their impressive red gular pouches inflated, in hopes of attracting mates. Brown pelicans were scattered into the mix, as were a few blue-footed boobies.
On the rocks were a variety of intertidal critters, including the always entertaining Sally Lightfoot crabs, locally known as “bailerinas.”
During our passage to the Panama Canal entrance, we viewed the impressive production “A Man, A Plan, A Canal, Panama.” A fine introduction to our impending canal transit! We also saw a preview of the video chronicle of our voyage.
While waiting our turn to enter the canal there was considerable activity as various boats brought officials to clear us into Panama, inspect Sea Voyager before our canal entry (standard procedure), and for other items of ship’s business.
At 1730 hours our Panama Canal pilot came aboard and shortly after we were underway. Sea Voyager was now identified as “23 X-ray Zulu,” meaning we were the twenty-third ship going from the Pacific to the Atlantic (X-ray) on this day and that were would share the locks with another ship (Zulu).
Much as it was done almost a century ago, we progressed thought the Miraflores and San Miguel locks and made our way into the night through the Culibra Cut, entering Lake Gatun and an eventual anchorage off of Barro Colorado Island.
Tucked into the northwest corner of the Gulf of Panama are a scattering of islands, just a few miles from the isthmus. These islands sit near the edge of the continental shelf where cold, nutrient rich waters from the depths of the Pacific are exposed to the energy of the sun, resulting in a rich biological brew. Fish are abundant here, as are seabirds which harvest the fish.
This morning we used our fleet of Zodiacs to explore Isla Bona, a roosting and nesting site for an abundance of seabirds. Downy brown booby chicks stared down at us from their rock perches. Black vultures joined magnificent frigatebirds in impressive numbers, as they circled the warm air currents to gain elevation before radiating in all directions for their daily foraging. Other frigatebirds were perched in dense concentrations, including many males with their impressive red gular pouches inflated, in hopes of attracting mates. Brown pelicans were scattered into the mix, as were a few blue-footed boobies.
On the rocks were a variety of intertidal critters, including the always entertaining Sally Lightfoot crabs, locally known as “bailerinas.”
During our passage to the Panama Canal entrance, we viewed the impressive production “A Man, A Plan, A Canal, Panama.” A fine introduction to our impending canal transit! We also saw a preview of the video chronicle of our voyage.
While waiting our turn to enter the canal there was considerable activity as various boats brought officials to clear us into Panama, inspect Sea Voyager before our canal entry (standard procedure), and for other items of ship’s business.
At 1730 hours our Panama Canal pilot came aboard and shortly after we were underway. Sea Voyager was now identified as “23 X-ray Zulu,” meaning we were the twenty-third ship going from the Pacific to the Atlantic (X-ray) on this day and that were would share the locks with another ship (Zulu).
Much as it was done almost a century ago, we progressed thought the Miraflores and San Miguel locks and made our way into the night through the Culibra Cut, entering Lake Gatun and an eventual anchorage off of Barro Colorado Island.
