National Geographic Sea Lion sailed through the Gulf of Panama to drop anchor in the Pearl Islands Archipelago.
Five centuries ago, Contadora was established as the place where pearls were collected and counted, giving the name to the main island. Other islets exposed to the abundance of nutrients in these waters are home to important colonies of fish eating birds.
An abundance of blue footed and some brown boobies by the cliffs were decorating our morning cruises in expedition landing crafts around Pacheca. Some species in the Sulidae family are known among biologists for their siblicide practices, laying two eggs as an insurance, in case one doesn’t make it. However if both hatch, once they are born, the oldest is going to kill its sibling since most boobies cannot raise two chicks at the same time.
Magnificent frigatebirds perched and soaring were present as well. The always attractive red gullar pouch during courtship was seen and their gracious sharp turns in flight chasing other birds to steal the food put up quite a show. This birds are extremely light in proportion to their 2 meter wingspan, weighing only 1400 to 1700 grams.
Brown pelicans, with their long bills and elastic pouches collect up to 10 liters of water when plunge-diving. The good-looking American oystercatchers, yellow crowned night herons and neotropical cormorants were other species spotted before National Geographic Sea Lion was repositioned.
Our morning ended visiting Bartolomé Island, without a doubt a little piece of paradise on the planet Earth. A rainbow of colors among the tilted rock formations that prove the origin of the archipelago. The blue, green and turquoise waters and the tones of brown and gray from the weathering of the stratos made us feel in heaven. Everyone enjoyed the first swim of the week discovering a place that was exclusive to our expedition.
As we started sailing west, a Bryde’s whale swam up to show-off near the vessel. It was just a foreshadowing of what was coming up in the afternoon- a group of about 20 false killer whales appeared and even went bow riding! They behave like smaller dolphins as they leap and sprint. Groups can be as large as 10 to 60 individuals and they feed on large fish or squid.
After the excitement, Gabriel shared the history and culture of the fascinating country of Panama with us in a lecture. It was a truly enjoyable way to be immersed into unknown facts of this nation that we and invite you to discover another side of Panama.
