tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10100769406744727372024-03-14T23:14:19.552+00:00Three Counties WildlifeLocal and worldwide wildlife adventures. Drone cameraman to TV's Nigel Marven. Dedicated Nikon user. Follow me on Twitter @chardbirder and Instagram: www.instagram.com/chardherper/. All images on this Blog are copyright of the Owner/contributors and cannot be used without written permission. All views expressed are my own. Translation to other languages available at the end of the page.rharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.comBlogger608125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010076940674472737.post-22702471209513970272023-04-09T00:07:00.005+01:002023-04-09T13:22:38.862+01:00El Salvador...untamed<div><i>I started writing this blog post last year but never got it finished. I finally decided it was time to to do so but haven’t altered the original text below, hence references to travelling towards the end of the Covid pandemic…</i></div><div><br /></div>Finally, after two long years without work due to the Covid pandemic, we recently found ourselves heading off on the first of two trips to start filming for a new project, '<i>El Salvador Untamed</i>'. It won't be on our screens for another *year or so but having not visited the country before I was excited at the prospect of seeing new places, meeting new people and enjoying new wildlife.<div><br /></div><div>Going anywhere further afield still isn't much fun though, a last minute cancellation to our British Airways flight to Madrid (due to lack of staff because of Covid) meant a hurried re-booking to a United flight via the States instead. For us the US is always a pain in the arse. Not only because there were ESTAs to purchase and lateral flow tests to arrange before leaving but because it is also one of the few countries where you have to offload and collect all of your bags and go through security again, (even though you cleared security in London just hours before). Transiting is difficult, tiring and requires an expensive carnet (a detailed list of all equipment including serial numbers, country of manufacture and retail purchase price). When you have ten cases of excess baggage full of equipment, that's no small thing and the main reason we always try and avoid routing through the US. We travelled via Newark on the way out and Washington on the return, with a total journey time of just over 14 hours from London to San Salvador.<div><br /></div><div><b>About El Salvador</b></div><div>El Salvador is the smallest of the Central American countries (about the size of Wales) and is bordered to the north by Guatemala and Honduras and the Pacific Ocean to the south. It's relatively small size makes it an easy place to explore by car (4x4 recommended to get to the really good bits) allowing access to a wide variety of habitats and micro climates.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibw-NEAk2_PPZKK8snw9U97emSLslldN9ZOKogCobKmfqVq7gXMyd45WrmgAdYi2G_xTqdfTMIDQQaR-E9xjgNTCASmBfYw27oYkZnVLGTxkXPLcbOgeVP2BwDgut1up5R7vq4n9rMt4lSpwHQYKC82hvqUXQM34N7p4x4tk6A7ArTHtA_5QY-X4_k/s1600/El-Salvador-map-features-locator.webp" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1332" data-original-width="1600" height="533" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibw-NEAk2_PPZKK8snw9U97emSLslldN9ZOKogCobKmfqVq7gXMyd45WrmgAdYi2G_xTqdfTMIDQQaR-E9xjgNTCASmBfYw27oYkZnVLGTxkXPLcbOgeVP2BwDgut1up5R7vq4n9rMt4lSpwHQYKC82hvqUXQM34N7p4x4tk6A7ArTHtA_5QY-X4_k/w640-h533/El-Salvador-map-features-locator.webp" width="640" /></a></div>
</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Safety...the reality</b></div>
El Salvador has a reputation (as do many Central American countries) of being dangerous. That's an image that it's trying very hard to clean up. The media relishes on reporting about the violence, drug cartels, murders and corruption - indeed a week before we left to start filming the country was plunged into a 'National State of Emergency' following a particularly harrowing weekend of drug related gang violence in which 62 people were murdered in a 24 hour period. The violence (and all the victims) were between cartel gangs. The average El Salvadorian will never be touched by these problems directly and it's a shame that the reputation of the country is tarnished by gangs like MS13. The government are now cracking down on gangs with over 2000 arrests and incarcerations in the past 6 months. <div><br /></div><div>Clearly there are problems but that said, we found nothing but beautiful scenery, magnificent wildlife and the friendliest people in Central America. I can honestly say I've made some great friends that I will keep in touch with, not least our brilliant guide and local contact Julio Acosta who runs El Salvador Birding. If you ever plan a visit, he is the guy to get in touch with. Not only is he a knowledgeable wildlife guide but he can tell you about the history of the country past and present and he's a barista. So if you're a coffee loving wildlife watcher, he's the guy to book with. He'll be attending the UK Birdfair this year (2023) for the first time if you want to meet him.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6A0svLm2--InVotJ5G8K3hekkZ3V8uZnP3vCp_9eIIoWsNu8UwkDjl8lKkMSbGRCfuzFKeXBE5va4QTuIkM-brKPg4zeZCvcTkSRd3qPcRYUCcRRE0gUjgU5hvgJR6w3T_9yOK9sAAcReOmFUw3aa_KMSOt-PQAgaixYC_EWIv9K_bMc9RN9aNWRw/s4032/20220416_112336.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6A0svLm2--InVotJ5G8K3hekkZ3V8uZnP3vCp_9eIIoWsNu8UwkDjl8lKkMSbGRCfuzFKeXBE5va4QTuIkM-brKPg4zeZCvcTkSRd3qPcRYUCcRRE0gUjgU5hvgJR6w3T_9yOK9sAAcReOmFUw3aa_KMSOt-PQAgaixYC_EWIv9K_bMc9RN9aNWRw/w640-h288/20220416_112336.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julio Acosta (El Salvador Birding) centre, with government representatives either side.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Filming is always a well organised event, it has to be. Months of research is needed to know when and where to visit and what species you will be able to see and film. This trip was no different. With the help of local scouts we were able to locate a nesting colony of Torogoz, El Salvador's National Bird, in advance of our arrival. These stunning birds form noisy nesting groups in bare, sandy, cliff faces where they excavate tunnels up to 2 m into the wall.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DnnpiTK4bbgbJuhMYD2OHHM6It-FDG7BHsntbBsEEEIlrS_r7pA0IayFbgQXOnTgqom4mD4T-sSb3ZIMK62r2OeOIum_AJJe4_WcsOP93HP7JRQKxL5XXAKTX446qDU4CWY0tslBIz0o3qQAxbzApXMuPPMFZhh8hVSPwzwlggK0OAxQTbMLZHkK/s4032/20220418_043706.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DnnpiTK4bbgbJuhMYD2OHHM6It-FDG7BHsntbBsEEEIlrS_r7pA0IayFbgQXOnTgqom4mD4T-sSb3ZIMK62r2OeOIum_AJJe4_WcsOP93HP7JRQKxL5XXAKTX446qDU4CWY0tslBIz0o3qQAxbzApXMuPPMFZhh8hVSPwzwlggK0OAxQTbMLZHkK/w640-h288/20220418_043706.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Torogoz country - seasonally dry forests are a unique landscape</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPA6cPJ6b9Pipp5aIBsB8wKQoJiWsk5xhd_rV8F4-hY4ZwfoQ7Znyt-hna-ZIemfDwl7-gFkrhO1aSyq4xAfwAmt_Fv6Rayi71BpdUGucbsE2omd6o6JOaxeZztNNxv7HGrSuouWOOtIScKKqFrYn-Qkb-AyaYPQIgqqcRz8NPf7kIng9tSEZnByrR/s3134/DSCN7687%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3134" data-original-width="2241" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPA6cPJ6b9Pipp5aIBsB8wKQoJiWsk5xhd_rV8F4-hY4ZwfoQ7Znyt-hna-ZIemfDwl7-gFkrhO1aSyq4xAfwAmt_Fv6Rayi71BpdUGucbsE2omd6o6JOaxeZztNNxv7HGrSuouWOOtIScKKqFrYn-Qkb-AyaYPQIgqqcRz8NPf7kIng9tSEZnByrR/w286-h400/DSCN7687%20copy.jpg" width="286" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Torogoz or Turquoise-browed Mot-mot</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Interlopers hang around the nesting colony to try and take advantage of the work carried out by the mot-mots - here a female Ringed Kingfisher waits her turn. If she can find an abandoned tunnel or oust a bird who’s just finished excavating, she can save herself a lot of work.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3GJNOiysbqC7GOsyy87MMZRqdAlO5qXCm3V1Mj2FgLPmQEiza77LCk9138NMAyaTwQqPFTz7FdnSJFYIbYIKZLgWtYyzpEkCjec1F6xIxxibeh6lxW0BDi0EQ8MIzPrdeB834lQVX8GCmhXcvDNHwuok6rRPfHqAc3a_wm_pM-srob8XNutAh3Jf/s2283/DSCN7653.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1444" data-original-width="2283" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3GJNOiysbqC7GOsyy87MMZRqdAlO5qXCm3V1Mj2FgLPmQEiza77LCk9138NMAyaTwQqPFTz7FdnSJFYIbYIKZLgWtYyzpEkCjec1F6xIxxibeh6lxW0BDi0EQ8MIzPrdeB834lQVX8GCmhXcvDNHwuok6rRPfHqAc3a_wm_pM-srob8XNutAh3Jf/w400-h253/DSCN7653.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ringed Kingfisher</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoqjIVY8mPHjTGDZXCQaHxzUzYl6xiRtvnfbc3uRyAnK7eJbOfuPgTL6_Ccy7ITl1fw_J6eIKUCi0iMQxYLa-qrXwX1IAQuDket-Rxye8ShL_crTjkn5vShQ5CbYstYqfD5haMVD0p7WSH91_O1DSHzdZICpo-65CPx8HR_m2NuShaHk65xxKd5Qg/s3331/DSCN7802.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3331" data-original-width="2298" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoqjIVY8mPHjTGDZXCQaHxzUzYl6xiRtvnfbc3uRyAnK7eJbOfuPgTL6_Ccy7ITl1fw_J6eIKUCi0iMQxYLa-qrXwX1IAQuDket-Rxye8ShL_crTjkn5vShQ5CbYstYqfD5haMVD0p7WSH91_O1DSHzdZICpo-65CPx8HR_m2NuShaHk65xxKd5Qg/w276-h400/DSCN7802.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Torogoz keeping a close eye on us.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-IWztPBpX08BdDIdxGDNW2hl7S5YORJ6NsN8sRSAoiak-9bWBdnJtHSFqZHw5hzSp04G8V0W74StqJaZiW1ACnEekv-WIdaccZcJ7i5mmI5Eu4IqzhRE8545F7Zr3vldl35Rqypw7KEEAyqLqzxm0mk5XOhAQsFNQiePsPrhqRYzE7sOWSq79mk_o/s3456/DSCN7736.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="2785" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-IWztPBpX08BdDIdxGDNW2hl7S5YORJ6NsN8sRSAoiak-9bWBdnJtHSFqZHw5hzSp04G8V0W74StqJaZiW1ACnEekv-WIdaccZcJ7i5mmI5Eu4IqzhRE8545F7Zr3vldl35Rqypw7KEEAyqLqzxm0mk5XOhAQsFNQiePsPrhqRYzE7sOWSq79mk_o/w323-h400/DSCN7736.JPG" width="323" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cattle Egret</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The dry forest also holds specialist plant life, including many varieties of cactus.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuxDdX4MeyiNYqLtxKgAvHPMd5sO2YC-oeP18cQfgRRsbtU_SBkOuKgjuebHCV5_33vOXNJXa_-O_TmAu6IOOurODL5AbxdgJLrcrq52pzHIVKCLDf9-kDOQM6xBBT544gF6IuzTsY769Qhcym6wmCQJxi8XetK-onr-uWzGHcflB5vMZI1M1dD2s/s4032/20220418_063646.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuxDdX4MeyiNYqLtxKgAvHPMd5sO2YC-oeP18cQfgRRsbtU_SBkOuKgjuebHCV5_33vOXNJXa_-O_TmAu6IOOurODL5AbxdgJLrcrq52pzHIVKCLDf9-kDOQM6xBBT544gF6IuzTsY769Qhcym6wmCQJxi8XetK-onr-uWzGHcflB5vMZI1M1dD2s/w400-h180/20220418_063646.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Back in the lowlands, riverside vegetation is home to Central American Spider Monkeys, Boat-billed Herons and many warblers, including the beautiful Mangrove Warbler, a race of Yellow Warbler. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXg88JI_wEFNBa5_pHQpZG-RNzFmm0odjBmWwVxO7eCQRgc-7scD5LHWqHnhRXt2I5bDi-YvOW1ZWxtwne1NKK39UGH3MhY8mZhyD3x1labe2-e8a5i4aNdACXUzPrYkcGa8wIeRvji_SaIUVR6bJ31U0xSuCexdcDP66HLRboV2A3rjx6zblw7dbC/s4032/20220416_175447.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXg88JI_wEFNBa5_pHQpZG-RNzFmm0odjBmWwVxO7eCQRgc-7scD5LHWqHnhRXt2I5bDi-YvOW1ZWxtwne1NKK39UGH3MhY8mZhyD3x1labe2-e8a5i4aNdACXUzPrYkcGa8wIeRvji_SaIUVR6bJ31U0xSuCexdcDP66HLRboV2A3rjx6zblw7dbC/w400-h180/20220416_175447.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riverside vegetation is rich in life.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K4FDz8QB_PQNRMkUUsNY2oXu1dvUVzoEZDUoKoc2uyYGSha7R_PGcOyfD5gH3XJo-WaU7_onm0EyDKI0dFC-Y1iDyl7dYGHTVqz4sWBXoRL_ZfSkq3-pC1ILQIdaQZiBDxevvwRYIAeZ4yDWT8S2BiYnNs1QkXrqsD3o79FHeD2-rvD2BWQALd5d/s3073/DSCN7477.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2080" data-original-width="3073" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K4FDz8QB_PQNRMkUUsNY2oXu1dvUVzoEZDUoKoc2uyYGSha7R_PGcOyfD5gH3XJo-WaU7_onm0EyDKI0dFC-Y1iDyl7dYGHTVqz4sWBXoRL_ZfSkq3-pC1ILQIdaQZiBDxevvwRYIAeZ4yDWT8S2BiYnNs1QkXrqsD3o79FHeD2-rvD2BWQALd5d/w400-h271/DSCN7477.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mangrove (Yellow) Warbler</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUAuRwA8Jt2R8VnUOHHflqqoVCZJznCv-0UnFgEmhoCul6z8mkzZ0z7j7QTn_PII1PZj79fmuyMnrb2wXVqCiNPJAd4bBLP_Vbn2G5hwE2zD_toupWDPuNovYAZ3RA0fGgTyN-wV-cPAupqn6vFyw7Dps1Gsq7dnul1lgQqcMEBd3Ph7NwgZh3jhG/s3068/DSCN7812.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="3068" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUAuRwA8Jt2R8VnUOHHflqqoVCZJznCv-0UnFgEmhoCul6z8mkzZ0z7j7QTn_PII1PZj79fmuyMnrb2wXVqCiNPJAd4bBLP_Vbn2G5hwE2zD_toupWDPuNovYAZ3RA0fGgTyN-wV-cPAupqn6vFyw7Dps1Gsq7dnul1lgQqcMEBd3Ph7NwgZh3jhG/w400-h294/DSCN7812.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-winged Dove</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Barra de Santiago in the southwest of the country, is an idealistic resort boasting long sandy beaches, mangrove-lined waterways and small plantations of mixed mango and coconut. This is where wealthy Salvadorans own expensive waterside, second homes and we spent a few days filming American crocodiles and endangered (in El Salvador) Yellow-crowned parrots. Naturally there were many other species to see too.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25WzrXTeVKsdxLWYBBa5qxe0zvIf7M-ELMWC0o7BLgLe4ubfR6gGwHxRH__uzMRHarLiJDPAREiiL-qG1QvCFaMghPW9lWx6d9oMDHyzt3F2fb67o-peXOh8A0M0LEPgeT16fz0FjzFEV5v6eF7CaQed6XfNXH90OWXqkSeCF2qRHoxZqtrlCWiT8/s4032/20220421_051212.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25WzrXTeVKsdxLWYBBa5qxe0zvIf7M-ELMWC0o7BLgLe4ubfR6gGwHxRH__uzMRHarLiJDPAREiiL-qG1QvCFaMghPW9lWx6d9oMDHyzt3F2fb67o-peXOh8A0M0LEPgeT16fz0FjzFEV5v6eF7CaQed6XfNXH90OWXqkSeCF2qRHoxZqtrlCWiT8/w400-h180/20220421_051212.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luxury beach side home facing the Pacific Ocean<br />Barra de Santiago</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivp_vRA8AUOTlEzTKgPJ53MHK_IdTGdoK9wOIzBOV60qGbVBNChZdsRdBuiZr5WmgBd1qbkUFbi7KNrTsZT7YXvD8v54CSrj0MaCuyPUT-ut0UQXiwEOcAi2-TFZqXyycQg1PNMRKsFdiAg5WUosqYaFawjXF5yhJhHfoXJnLb9AP-u7qiWnd9QVlm/s4032/20220421_065229.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivp_vRA8AUOTlEzTKgPJ53MHK_IdTGdoK9wOIzBOV60qGbVBNChZdsRdBuiZr5WmgBd1qbkUFbi7KNrTsZT7YXvD8v54CSrj0MaCuyPUT-ut0UQXiwEOcAi2-TFZqXyycQg1PNMRKsFdiAg5WUosqYaFawjXF5yhJhHfoXJnLb9AP-u7qiWnd9QVlm/w400-h180/20220421_065229.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A more rustic riverside property</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzeSQpcE11UM_kOaeyfkAf5bEvtUtF5mB7jb6bp2kq1ACroZ1ORNc7TUBi-E6PfGPr8dqtt5WyjUgjyPcK5K7saa_GMstoKFCfmOiYYsOEk25Gr7bjSW-3i9NdO6s1SsDkK_40iw22FKglA6IBFdMxLGfT6COIZt9whQ9Jdzj1NoWwNhiz_DEuQKa/s3186/20220421_081206.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3186" data-original-width="1816" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzeSQpcE11UM_kOaeyfkAf5bEvtUtF5mB7jb6bp2kq1ACroZ1ORNc7TUBi-E6PfGPr8dqtt5WyjUgjyPcK5K7saa_GMstoKFCfmOiYYsOEk25Gr7bjSW-3i9NdO6s1SsDkK_40iw22FKglA6IBFdMxLGfT6COIZt9whQ9Jdzj1NoWwNhiz_DEuQKa/w228-h400/20220421_081206.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast straight from the tree!<br />Sun warmed mangos were the best<br />I've ever tasted.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFdT1MpAMekaq6eD0JZfXPUlW1FzeJ2yGXHsyB77WS--YhxdNUxeUNigWdHN7lYOBu-tY-bs-ZdDvoTeBo4uxqPP8Ur7RXKXZaaM4OFay-sCUBf8hmgtmxTcNgJiVA_lIK4Lp3DQHCbMgR2hpklacJpgweoUewmzhEnsYL74Dbt7DMZK0c2sDm4ZH/s2725/AmericanRedstart.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1702" data-original-width="2725" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFdT1MpAMekaq6eD0JZfXPUlW1FzeJ2yGXHsyB77WS--YhxdNUxeUNigWdHN7lYOBu-tY-bs-ZdDvoTeBo4uxqPP8Ur7RXKXZaaM4OFay-sCUBf8hmgtmxTcNgJiVA_lIK4Lp3DQHCbMgR2hpklacJpgweoUewmzhEnsYL74Dbt7DMZK0c2sDm4ZH/w400-h250/AmericanRedstart.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Redstart, male<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfF_v63BD2cGyU2veNV7tgweznz09mP_VP_6sTq-ctopo9Zh-uLugfZg_P4dvsEYNKUj9fVguGPiHrMVjFL9DS9X9R3n1bIA1gr29HfoumNLIfyjjkNqJuUVkaYw-hUPa4AoHCvjMBPiKDKzRwBBBfwYFDhFt45r905_HSzAMYvAQVbUnzm8uZXLIu/s4032/20220423_111130.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfF_v63BD2cGyU2veNV7tgweznz09mP_VP_6sTq-ctopo9Zh-uLugfZg_P4dvsEYNKUj9fVguGPiHrMVjFL9DS9X9R3n1bIA1gr29HfoumNLIfyjjkNqJuUVkaYw-hUPa4AoHCvjMBPiKDKzRwBBBfwYFDhFt45r905_HSzAMYvAQVbUnzm8uZXLIu/w400-h180/20220423_111130.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miles of pristine empty beach - except for birds like Willet, <br />Franklins gulls, Wilson's Plover, Sanderling and Royal Tern</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5amYXEucoDYWXhj-o6I_4aUsn41CoMf-A9y6M4oQRu5iRfpNzEh-g9k-sgsM_YHbHU89l1Xac4lDxPp-XfvDabQYxkTpVwcu7DI8NX5K8vnT7QPr1kYioXHyuC9L0dkxKfBz4caO0Zo9FlvD1hHT6UX9C0SbOj-nuf69LPRn9u22F3pbYPUZUOEu0/s4608/Franklins.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5amYXEucoDYWXhj-o6I_4aUsn41CoMf-A9y6M4oQRu5iRfpNzEh-g9k-sgsM_YHbHU89l1Xac4lDxPp-XfvDabQYxkTpVwcu7DI8NX5K8vnT7QPr1kYioXHyuC9L0dkxKfBz4caO0Zo9FlvD1hHT6UX9C0SbOj-nuf69LPRn9u22F3pbYPUZUOEu0/w400-h300/Franklins.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huge flocks of Franklins Gulls <br />constantly streamed along the coast.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluC2VmcQKMuJdTAStMK7ZG_QCrk_tCJ2TLy4umvWzUdcB3uYyXFYkywlIHTVdl-616Qu-g3wlL2XFJwrbdOGxMU-vc4PfcxDOKhO_WzlccDSJoxiWlj8Miu4iEaI_dpbatNCiNd1AbYWCJHIH7-18l5f2Gl0CBZ-hKh9hDCNgavDNraA06fkoJ9Ka/s2538/DSCN8747%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1796" data-original-width="2538" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluC2VmcQKMuJdTAStMK7ZG_QCrk_tCJ2TLy4umvWzUdcB3uYyXFYkywlIHTVdl-616Qu-g3wlL2XFJwrbdOGxMU-vc4PfcxDOKhO_WzlccDSJoxiWlj8Miu4iEaI_dpbatNCiNd1AbYWCJHIH7-18l5f2Gl0CBZ-hKh9hDCNgavDNraA06fkoJ9Ka/w400-h283/DSCN8747%20(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sanderling</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_MDOy81ahwmDh9S3V0HGH6jqMshVD741NJNQIO4lU8CDrAYaEq-jGiF4Xd56q1v6hbZmBFOQG3z3Jqos1a9zWoL7mJuFrAKSnQTOvS0QXmS_htWgGhBH9OvqQy1bvo_pOpACmPjO715W4nJFRFmSjTyZNLsEKVUL9_Ko-uMXC7H-PTstW3EpL6CAS/s1815/DSCN8675.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1815" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_MDOy81ahwmDh9S3V0HGH6jqMshVD741NJNQIO4lU8CDrAYaEq-jGiF4Xd56q1v6hbZmBFOQG3z3Jqos1a9zWoL7mJuFrAKSnQTOvS0QXmS_htWgGhBH9OvqQy1bvo_pOpACmPjO715W4nJFRFmSjTyZNLsEKVUL9_Ko-uMXC7H-PTstW3EpL6CAS/w400-h254/DSCN8675.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Tern</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2B-jVcenJXVRIhyOAlUtLsfyYRDr8Y0K1yu8AvB-dAVgbY17P7DABZzkAA6T9jxPRS5eqpMbFTD-IDQrZtdml8Ev5--yJRcoWWn16KaeeRLDqPZZvEcBkydEC5nAWNJUusfZPyF9Dw8Vdp4b2MMR_K0v4Ur0RHkjXIUU0kZoxzm5Lclg4csu7DncV/s2600/DSCN8669.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2600" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2B-jVcenJXVRIhyOAlUtLsfyYRDr8Y0K1yu8AvB-dAVgbY17P7DABZzkAA6T9jxPRS5eqpMbFTD-IDQrZtdml8Ev5--yJRcoWWn16KaeeRLDqPZZvEcBkydEC5nAWNJUusfZPyF9Dw8Vdp4b2MMR_K0v4Ur0RHkjXIUU0kZoxzm5Lclg4csu7DncV/w400-h233/DSCN8669.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wilson's Plover</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Away from the beach we headed to the river and into the mangrove swamps.<br /><div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6M1b15bAq6H0KFQaKyyQwydh09ASkv79x1RNCKyuOziGe4wp5rETeLN6QolY0PPG9pFg_7SDA1FeSvaLMaqvgFgkXUzJ4zxOE8jTnwKh8e7VajCUzDMSKHCwz99Gp2G9xr8K4CeLIBK5mA32Stv24QMpuwl7kjcWYG99XHWuTznIskr4IiFJBk9y/s3977/DSCN7877.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2713" data-original-width="3977" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6M1b15bAq6H0KFQaKyyQwydh09ASkv79x1RNCKyuOziGe4wp5rETeLN6QolY0PPG9pFg_7SDA1FeSvaLMaqvgFgkXUzJ4zxOE8jTnwKh8e7VajCUzDMSKHCwz99Gp2G9xr8K4CeLIBK5mA32Stv24QMpuwl7kjcWYG99XHWuTznIskr4IiFJBk9y/w400-h272/DSCN7877.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden-fronted Woodpecker</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAB3VCWMjTcG4dC-0RQbcwS4LZLPuoFatWAnzJrvjkQYSJEofhNY9tZ_nJrxb0MlfAXtx7NZ-wMcAjoa66ROLH1xIpHyoTbZvuayCT_DidCqnx0-PtbgDvqNjSzAw3a2WiAj6v7XHgCU_i94eZZpV8JPGxOAxSnfrtVuT6W92w-az-_XDzwD4oSoxL/s2820/DSCN7925.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1853" data-original-width="2820" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAB3VCWMjTcG4dC-0RQbcwS4LZLPuoFatWAnzJrvjkQYSJEofhNY9tZ_nJrxb0MlfAXtx7NZ-wMcAjoa66ROLH1xIpHyoTbZvuayCT_DidCqnx0-PtbgDvqNjSzAw3a2WiAj6v7XHgCU_i94eZZpV8JPGxOAxSnfrtVuT6W92w-az-_XDzwD4oSoxL/w400-h263/DSCN7925.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden-fronted Woodpecker</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJIoG_5bMIn9zWUdI83cR3Kai7WT4q5BO7p6_0YDHIDB3fe_tZzVt9mihci-plVuaWJp8n8iDxFbUOk3xcW1zZLIXMmujDcjKBjH-WHv-8gUO0bKmNRRs63miQiI9rTGkWeQOPTmjH6iQs5M7rUdHsjfa7oDGYGMoEUbP0KuRO83cfu3lIDmk76D5/s2273/DSCN8102%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1423" data-original-width="2273" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJIoG_5bMIn9zWUdI83cR3Kai7WT4q5BO7p6_0YDHIDB3fe_tZzVt9mihci-plVuaWJp8n8iDxFbUOk3xcW1zZLIXMmujDcjKBjH-WHv-8gUO0bKmNRRs63miQiI9rTGkWeQOPTmjH6iQs5M7rUdHsjfa7oDGYGMoEUbP0KuRO83cfu3lIDmk76D5/w400-h250/DSCN8102%20copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hudsonian Whimbrel</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjao7wnjOpn9xAcXhLxyk6n3n6iCwExl4Hbw-05NzqFJFFGfVFVZYGf5by0R4NOGzfQHowjHqp9Z8YjDWmSlRQbIXmvDMAEUzVX4FGzKi4KEtV8S4ugQzzSicDfHFGWC2ySZ62XypxVdti_HnmmU2TB6uG1nJq2hEhvYkKJL2uA8pm9kdMCnMysZ1jJ/s2011/DSCN8132%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="2011" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjao7wnjOpn9xAcXhLxyk6n3n6iCwExl4Hbw-05NzqFJFFGfVFVZYGf5by0R4NOGzfQHowjHqp9Z8YjDWmSlRQbIXmvDMAEUzVX4FGzKi4KEtV8S4ugQzzSicDfHFGWC2ySZ62XypxVdti_HnmmU2TB6uG1nJq2hEhvYkKJL2uA8pm9kdMCnMysZ1jJ/w400-h229/DSCN8132%20copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiddler Crabs can be seen in their hundreds</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFU1y8PxiUrkQMoGZ83BiyT6w2HwdB5VbiMKgLDRrQex2B3JQtXw3Dy1dQX_tOlpBIciz9AoPKX9k-HoncOmDC_7INNoLUvEHWSa_X1GAe2rlaiG264cO4W3CsLn3RAdmm4sDJEmjBDXv1UlzkTTRG5UCqSdurwAuxK-RYc3goy2AZFOOdbdGQeey/s2365/DSCN8161%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1306" data-original-width="2365" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFU1y8PxiUrkQMoGZ83BiyT6w2HwdB5VbiMKgLDRrQex2B3JQtXw3Dy1dQX_tOlpBIciz9AoPKX9k-HoncOmDC_7INNoLUvEHWSa_X1GAe2rlaiG264cO4W3CsLn3RAdmm4sDJEmjBDXv1UlzkTTRG5UCqSdurwAuxK-RYc3goy2AZFOOdbdGQeey/w400-h221/DSCN8161%20copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiddler Crab</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNj6_BF47-ptDZMQUXjgvEW4rNGWmXghyAsgxTaZARIR2hdv2wI4lq-WpdbPcHtHMyZ_K9leIN9E3mE4kbQDdbIKui9g0VS1Laa8ygGrfugSXmE5yVJyx1XJ8EwRVSuInbsYUd31u4XbCSpjNBjrWgcLr8RsZIgaq3gLpjJmWXZQRKK04Neu5bJWq/s2235/DSCN8195.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1447" data-original-width="2235" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNj6_BF47-ptDZMQUXjgvEW4rNGWmXghyAsgxTaZARIR2hdv2wI4lq-WpdbPcHtHMyZ_K9leIN9E3mE4kbQDdbIKui9g0VS1Laa8ygGrfugSXmE5yVJyx1XJ8EwRVSuInbsYUd31u4XbCSpjNBjrWgcLr8RsZIgaq3gLpjJmWXZQRKK04Neu5bJWq/w400-h259/DSCN8195.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Ibis</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The mangroves make for some good birding including Boat-billed, Little Blue, Tri-coloured and Green herons, Green and American Pygmy kingfishers, American Redstart, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-crowned Parrot and, of course, American crocodiles!<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZn2azszX20jkbBHIx6-sc_sbfGyedBzb-UWjA6TwJ4_PdwZX7k_sqdLLvJKdi0dyoh10GuL0Cm5qtnlXhYT9Cn2EyztJz04hbs3pOFW2hjPiPnlyO8NDfuIYnq1eFWaDH9jdGDkIDF1jTzVUCC1sW4VTsEVh07kHRV-G8ZG6IHWWHLj9FaBM5thM2/s3841/DSCN8233.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2407" data-original-width="3841" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZn2azszX20jkbBHIx6-sc_sbfGyedBzb-UWjA6TwJ4_PdwZX7k_sqdLLvJKdi0dyoh10GuL0Cm5qtnlXhYT9Cn2EyztJz04hbs3pOFW2hjPiPnlyO8NDfuIYnq1eFWaDH9jdGDkIDF1jTzVUCC1sW4VTsEVh07kHRV-G8ZG6IHWWHLj9FaBM5thM2/w400-h251/DSCN8233.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Kingfisher</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbLiJjQQd2TQlx4nbc6nRu7mqWpPIgPzGvZcl3yXzQ8FxYPhewbqXPftthaKdl8E4s0O5s304Zxn-P36KNLmjmZ3MYxTaZVXmaZNpi-ga7r9eqk7wUPN_zl4JoKmmv_jd-83JTL8lv1URzs3JVFDGTqMF-HzAbDjrao23VOZaIbyfKmysDl60p2Dg/s3005/DSCN8345.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2105" data-original-width="3005" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbLiJjQQd2TQlx4nbc6nRu7mqWpPIgPzGvZcl3yXzQ8FxYPhewbqXPftthaKdl8E4s0O5s304Zxn-P36KNLmjmZ3MYxTaZVXmaZNpi-ga7r9eqk7wUPN_zl4JoKmmv_jd-83JTL8lv1URzs3JVFDGTqMF-HzAbDjrao23VOZaIbyfKmysDl60p2Dg/w400-h280/DSCN8345.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Pygmy Kingfisher</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVFeZiZtbsgKVMEEDUHAZV7lBUAdFj-cx-YcNcNJOpBxu9aqeJpp5jqJjqtVSPdZcWipEUO5If4aPH_Lhp6Oto49wrg_VqLhdBZoJGnxMcuieIVpLDBgdNve3ykqxGybz73twV5invqr4DCTCj8NrXMQhDrb3CbJGjPkoQzb9PLQmjOz5YJzf4cID/s3116/DSCN8577.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2085" data-original-width="3116" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVFeZiZtbsgKVMEEDUHAZV7lBUAdFj-cx-YcNcNJOpBxu9aqeJpp5jqJjqtVSPdZcWipEUO5If4aPH_Lhp6Oto49wrg_VqLhdBZoJGnxMcuieIVpLDBgdNve3ykqxGybz73twV5invqr4DCTCj8NrXMQhDrb3CbJGjPkoQzb9PLQmjOz5YJzf4cID/w400-h268/DSCN8577.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pair of Inca Doves - these are THE common<br />small dove here.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93a2byDKxEyo7RoM4JwPPWAu3Qj91EvSrHME3LxSjEKwBAg6xPoJADQ_xGIqR1ETy0kEABtUJGXu9u5RI7eUEafmTyBMELXiHBLQHZACJdp0oMuTsub1Dqn1zrrcb0R_CYlAj8tzcjx9jkHZE1-ZdGj4D7iGPzLFCwcRHZFM_KHc-Zog2FU3TINFl/s3555/DSCN8508%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2484" data-original-width="3555" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93a2byDKxEyo7RoM4JwPPWAu3Qj91EvSrHME3LxSjEKwBAg6xPoJADQ_xGIqR1ETy0kEABtUJGXu9u5RI7eUEafmTyBMELXiHBLQHZACJdp0oMuTsub1Dqn1zrrcb0R_CYlAj8tzcjx9jkHZE1-ZdGj4D7iGPzLFCwcRHZFM_KHc-Zog2FU3TINFl/w400-h280/DSCN8508%20(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Inca Dove</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-g2VpjU9yIpAahHvtGA2-tNt2gOB9CIXkPA2KET2Cx4HEgD7fkr8ahHm-bSIBS7R9Gzl30tuP0wUMbNq1NtnP_MYd8wDsvhDH1ygRHgW8UTgplbbDUId2c1T4ICmDNJwuHgktLD5WE03ofI-wfHz-Wl3VyrABFPBg9CER1MXeiTfWq8bhTCk6hk7/s3316/DSCN8568.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2441" data-original-width="3316" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-g2VpjU9yIpAahHvtGA2-tNt2gOB9CIXkPA2KET2Cx4HEgD7fkr8ahHm-bSIBS7R9Gzl30tuP0wUMbNq1NtnP_MYd8wDsvhDH1ygRHgW8UTgplbbDUId2c1T4ICmDNJwuHgktLD5WE03ofI-wfHz-Wl3VyrABFPBg9CER1MXeiTfWq8bhTCk6hk7/w400-h295/DSCN8568.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lineated Woodpecker taking advantage of an open coconut.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />There's an amazing conservation program in place to help save the Yellow-crowned Parrot. Nest boxes are being placed high up in their preferred nesting locations with a very high success rate. These magnificent but very shy birds are starting to increase in numbers again after many years of decline due to habitat loss and poaching.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Ch9lSxHo_T-nt-Xk2WLqhzxM4fpMFHQCvn_6_r0kpR4iivkCaIDf8r_S1abn4H0flQZkYULijY-4Nbwp9Qv0ax_oh6_MpVaBVwKB2rad0IW_EAFrgjED7K3eSHUasSQxqb_lnqyzt8_4YRdjyLjBkTTGS2BgPZ8sn-09HwWTXkjGZkXbHaVtcKfj/s4608/DSCN8622.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Ch9lSxHo_T-nt-Xk2WLqhzxM4fpMFHQCvn_6_r0kpR4iivkCaIDf8r_S1abn4H0flQZkYULijY-4Nbwp9Qv0ax_oh6_MpVaBVwKB2rad0IW_EAFrgjED7K3eSHUasSQxqb_lnqyzt8_4YRdjyLjBkTTGS2BgPZ8sn-09HwWTXkjGZkXbHaVtcKfj/w300-h400/DSCN8622.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-crowned Parrot</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZp7BMy-LcKvCN4YHt8HoIbVrDHadcrPlfAQMYp4TTsnfgVWm7LfRBoXn4ujo20SEAHVpwcdDmAwUjYsZ5sO6LLHLpqt3BtbZjoufU31i9PgvfFGMbAUFbmfYFEZmQo68LP4KNpQnAnSugF3MeymTwR0js-XrX_7xZUOIZScZ2FiYakSsoCck6aUUW/s2342/BSTI.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1610" data-original-width="2342" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZp7BMy-LcKvCN4YHt8HoIbVrDHadcrPlfAQMYp4TTsnfgVWm7LfRBoXn4ujo20SEAHVpwcdDmAwUjYsZ5sO6LLHLpqt3BtbZjoufU31i9PgvfFGMbAUFbmfYFEZmQo68LP4KNpQnAnSugF3MeymTwR0js-XrX_7xZUOIZScZ2FiYakSsoCck6aUUW/w400-h275/BSTI.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Spiny-tailed Iguana</td></tr></tbody></table><br />America Crocodiles have also suffered from over hunting and nest destruction and are now protected and actively conserved in El Salvador. Crazy to think these impressive reptiles, that have been around since the dinosaurs, can be nearly wiped out by humans - we are such a destructive species.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-L6rU-Kgh3qVL7bU5Qk9OKYKGR14IrIWjfkNIsQIcBrvORnI1i0-vK3gW2OBd3hILLeBEZNxh49vQTSavaLO0Ys8RXltqC_FITH3LdospMBPbO-myARBXG15_QSWveORX03apGXCX4OhCR-jgDVRaFi7sPVTbCBPwKKACNZ1sapNLpvb9grTIBGQK/s3886/DSCN8248.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2105" data-original-width="3886" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-L6rU-Kgh3qVL7bU5Qk9OKYKGR14IrIWjfkNIsQIcBrvORnI1i0-vK3gW2OBd3hILLeBEZNxh49vQTSavaLO0Ys8RXltqC_FITH3LdospMBPbO-myARBXG15_QSWveORX03apGXCX4OhCR-jgDVRaFi7sPVTbCBPwKKACNZ1sapNLpvb9grTIBGQK/w400-h216/DSCN8248.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Crocodile</td></tr></tbody></table><br />After enduring the 40 degree heat of the lowlands, we headed higher to cooler conditions and coffee plantations. These provide important foraging grounds for many migratory species of birds and are home to award winning coffee of the highest standard. Coffee from here can reach $80-100 a kilo!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZif5B6LgSCTJyJMWpnBOslPHdxWJuXX97ylv7ubwj0SSzhoTJNnHYgg7xwqBJPZbWfKHUfoOrPolCviz4w_J96KBibk2o87-RfvjKajOBQT52Ew7si1TGv6URHasqPDIsDaR2vaKXhIwQYEDGOCxVo6M8ZCYHpxUXcH3ylZDzdyl_zHcwzs1lFAfq/s4032/Coffee1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZif5B6LgSCTJyJMWpnBOslPHdxWJuXX97ylv7ubwj0SSzhoTJNnHYgg7xwqBJPZbWfKHUfoOrPolCviz4w_J96KBibk2o87-RfvjKajOBQT52Ew7si1TGv6URHasqPDIsDaR2vaKXhIwQYEDGOCxVo6M8ZCYHpxUXcH3ylZDzdyl_zHcwzs1lFAfq/w400-h180/Coffee1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An American owned Coffee finca near the town of Juayua</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZYqniPmjpJDTMCZyTO6qUjb_VdvFEClSDoZnirsQA8k0PlO6zYH3wOSCGWeGzDan3mcwPu35FG42F7K2Me_010BMzfxbj00tXiaNLC3LKTbh_6by0RLDfuWBNlAW5vCAY8AjhFNsvqSEPObc1qZ8soqnukWtiZV0WpBX-0X4Z7xx7z_KMuORA5fg/s4032/Coffee2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1816" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZYqniPmjpJDTMCZyTO6qUjb_VdvFEClSDoZnirsQA8k0PlO6zYH3wOSCGWeGzDan3mcwPu35FG42F7K2Me_010BMzfxbj00tXiaNLC3LKTbh_6by0RLDfuWBNlAW5vCAY8AjhFNsvqSEPObc1qZ8soqnukWtiZV0WpBX-0X4Z7xx7z_KMuORA5fg/w180-h400/Coffee2.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee beans at various stages of drying.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Piles of damp, discarded coffee husks are one of the best places to find the Mexican Burrowing Caecilian <i>Dermorphis mexicanus</i>. These strange 'snake-like' creatures are in fact amphibians and look more like giant earthworms. They do in fact feed primarily on earthworms and can grow quite large. Having only vestigial eyes, they detect prey using small tentacles (the whitish dots near the snout), which are sensitive to movement.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqXoMi_Riui2Y5aPJqMHlQsMNKrKIGc6n7bhu6k7uuHm1r6XJoqcJO4-G9ZHu-FfWSK1v11MboA71UhpRDIx3J-AKt4IlbfTZGK3jHdRGcxn2nVVVdTbDwzFLOiBMXvLXavlJCNlr6vi4KOsA8Nx5V-NYb83lLOzAj1LU4MeB4-6O858umkNJKw3G/s3101/Caecilian.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="3101" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqXoMi_Riui2Y5aPJqMHlQsMNKrKIGc6n7bhu6k7uuHm1r6XJoqcJO4-G9ZHu-FfWSK1v11MboA71UhpRDIx3J-AKt4IlbfTZGK3jHdRGcxn2nVVVdTbDwzFLOiBMXvLXavlJCNlr6vi4KOsA8Nx5V-NYb83lLOzAj1LU4MeB4-6O858umkNJKw3G/w400-h234/Caecilian.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mexican Burrowing Caecilian</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRNklZa5jtv2fFvQ8rAZJbOZm_pJN40IZHOfL0HaADZ4JJzYL8wZh2Cny4Ug6Hrl2XBGJBGyU5A1af1eVRyi3oZHw9hVAZ4oIQP2FUOM30iDIirtnji4mXpPIPbvKgRVBbBuh9O-M6lR0nOuOOQ3PPnpwyZi5e5yd5w7kRYKsftDugh_YHmrzY87T/s1515/wren.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1181" data-original-width="1515" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRNklZa5jtv2fFvQ8rAZJbOZm_pJN40IZHOfL0HaADZ4JJzYL8wZh2Cny4Ug6Hrl2XBGJBGyU5A1af1eVRyi3oZHw9hVAZ4oIQP2FUOM30iDIirtnji4mXpPIPbvKgRVBbBuh9O-M6lR0nOuOOQ3PPnpwyZi5e5yd5w7kRYKsftDugh_YHmrzY87T/w400-h311/wren.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rufous-naped Wren is a fairly common sighting.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWew6i-4KX5Os4b7cnvlYPqyTtR7hkFxgEmjv7J_lnDxeCT7kL_4eN9cwf7bZd9_hA0viAz2-2GOO7fCqxc6BsTNkf6dTr0QIlElTInC2xNKQqtMXJB8XQfxdYCZUgHjTrSzJsHSxSshXM--OXQV-xh5HKXBRJbRhe0WEIv3EYrihwoI9EF8Cv6ER/s2110/Yellow_warbler.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1422" data-original-width="2110" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWew6i-4KX5Os4b7cnvlYPqyTtR7hkFxgEmjv7J_lnDxeCT7kL_4eN9cwf7bZd9_hA0viAz2-2GOO7fCqxc6BsTNkf6dTr0QIlElTInC2xNKQqtMXJB8XQfxdYCZUgHjTrSzJsHSxSshXM--OXQV-xh5HKXBRJbRhe0WEIv3EYrihwoI9EF8Cv6ER/w400-h270/Yellow_warbler.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Warbler</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Our final destination on this trip were to the cloud forests bordering Honduras and Guatemala. It is MUCH cooler at altitude and gets close to freezing at night. This region is home to some of the rarest amphibians in the world though our focus was a high altitude reptile.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiP7akoc-B_bEbUNa-rIkDzSj-znOWV-eRNMbT05NHVBBse5Hse8i59x4zpNsv2ARPt283CO74tpqw5Lnum8zHaUul0fYxogJo_FNlxx_0DVpeDvysBJ0GchuGR6synkYLsbPaFDHhHgcoGQD9yfKl-DY21R-zyGHyglOtOjKUBwF4gKuWToszA6b2/s4032/20220418_132222.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiP7akoc-B_bEbUNa-rIkDzSj-znOWV-eRNMbT05NHVBBse5Hse8i59x4zpNsv2ARPt283CO74tpqw5Lnum8zHaUul0fYxogJo_FNlxx_0DVpeDvysBJ0GchuGR6synkYLsbPaFDHhHgcoGQD9yfKl-DY21R-zyGHyglOtOjKUBwF4gKuWToszA6b2/w400-h180/20220418_132222.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our home for two-nights, El Pital Eco Lodge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1lfGGCQGfMxRETVZogfH85zzx5Q6xhi4R8B0w3PkRXGSEVlkLed67XVawZfN5-25QMCZeZBNM_NCj10Zu_t10YN9Dyk3TaugkHCWzoPF1B-fmDNugFnLHG6WwHr0d0JT1X4ISbYVyvWSIAsUwhmQ9w9uiRxpl0ab04sapNqkRN14GNABdcqJ0dtG/s2042/20220418_132503%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2042" data-original-width="1815" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1lfGGCQGfMxRETVZogfH85zzx5Q6xhi4R8B0w3PkRXGSEVlkLed67XVawZfN5-25QMCZeZBNM_NCj10Zu_t10YN9Dyk3TaugkHCWzoPF1B-fmDNugFnLHG6WwHr0d0JT1X4ISbYVyvWSIAsUwhmQ9w9uiRxpl0ab04sapNqkRN14GNABdcqJ0dtG/w355-h400/20220418_132503%20(2).jpg" width="355" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A harmless little Fischer's Snail-Eating Snake<br /><i>Tropidodipsas fischeri</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>Our biologist guide, Will Merino, discovered this incredible fungus the day before we arrived. As you can probably guess, it stank of rotting flesh to attract flies and other small insects. It is believed this was the first record of this particular fungus in El Salvador.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRXi653NEP_3bKhYvydwyxck78-vvLM-CjLk3F9C6Ob4gUIMJ7qOpz1LCvpLRTXmiQgWJ6WGi0jybqzti2N1PW2OCnkQK8zPegckW3VyHV5sLDJSek83LpFrFU38KusF01FHlRyB1PbAKwE0jZoCb_ksoFverop7bc3lodNRyFZSXKVDBs1aJ7ApU/s4032/20220418_150858.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRXi653NEP_3bKhYvydwyxck78-vvLM-CjLk3F9C6Ob4gUIMJ7qOpz1LCvpLRTXmiQgWJ6WGi0jybqzti2N1PW2OCnkQK8zPegckW3VyHV5sLDJSek83LpFrFU38KusF01FHlRyB1PbAKwE0jZoCb_ksoFverop7bc3lodNRyFZSXKVDBs1aJ7ApU/w400-h180/20220418_150858.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKm9JFxLNyG8E4xsXu-kuMVtSgG8h5RHhegoGViAKvM0xOW8OZJhwlqVPkTyLp3Nh4T2PnbVuBtRw5rby5-rgEEBDUK2IPy5TgA-Ff3CEryOkzVoYP7lhAIboNxX43UrkA7HFRina_SmUqQeoApD16gcemaRaR5tGcxVoz3Rdpl8_Txz_BzW-6xhd_/s4032/20220418_162929.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKm9JFxLNyG8E4xsXu-kuMVtSgG8h5RHhegoGViAKvM0xOW8OZJhwlqVPkTyLp3Nh4T2PnbVuBtRw5rby5-rgEEBDUK2IPy5TgA-Ff3CEryOkzVoYP7lhAIboNxX43UrkA7HFRina_SmUqQeoApD16gcemaRaR5tGcxVoz3Rdpl8_Txz_BzW-6xhd_/w400-h180/20220418_162929.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view at sunset was captivating</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The snake we were after lives at higher altitudes and feeds on frogs, salamanders, lizards and small mammals. Godman's Montane Pit Viper is a specialist of this habitat and is found across the border into southern Guatemala, north to Mexico. Unlike vipers at lower altitudes. it only breeds every other year. It's venom is a potent hemotoxin and a bite would cause painful, local swelling and bruising and potentially some necrosis.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIznAQwDd-A5FfimXN0TNqNHDl8MvzoTiynL5bTBHavwdCCC9wdyZHPRDfkLQ11DC55oatIsrQvB5QgYYPwXSoJDfzD7NUy0y3domEOk2NP9KbVmsJNNkjCgjZn48irbwkv39yIdpgUWrfPQhYxbQqT8JuiE--BBYHBeFoygqhTHnHXgc81DdAXtP/s4032/20220419_090848.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1816" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIznAQwDd-A5FfimXN0TNqNHDl8MvzoTiynL5bTBHavwdCCC9wdyZHPRDfkLQ11DC55oatIsrQvB5QgYYPwXSoJDfzD7NUy0y3domEOk2NP9KbVmsJNNkjCgjZn48irbwkv39yIdpgUWrfPQhYxbQqT8JuiE--BBYHBeFoygqhTHnHXgc81DdAXtP/w180-h400/20220419_090848.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our target species - Godman's Montane Pit viper<br /><i>Cerrophidion godmani</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBuiWjCMEO8QuUeaYHilhGv8zWn4UlhEVtphOEo5AVGJc9_GviWTRANSGpMSvFP6WH6XYlpBoyunoPX9xjPNakipGu9GKbvmtEThV30_AQXZ5kjs6vZqEoLdVjA7BRjFSL2YNuREKZg-EfGk5w9-zxdVJ8xH3AwZ6Zv8oFh2yO86rJ-GieL43lbog/s4032/20220419_094858.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBuiWjCMEO8QuUeaYHilhGv8zWn4UlhEVtphOEo5AVGJc9_GviWTRANSGpMSvFP6WH6XYlpBoyunoPX9xjPNakipGu9GKbvmtEThV30_AQXZ5kjs6vZqEoLdVjA7BRjFSL2YNuREKZg-EfGk5w9-zxdVJ8xH3AwZ6Zv8oFh2yO86rJ-GieL43lbog/w400-h180/20220419_094858.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hills just a short distance away are in Honduras.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br />Hopefully I'll have more time to Blog again this year but with new films in the pipeline it's unlikely to be on a regular basis. However, I will have some exiting posts to come.</div><div><br /></div><div>EDIT: The finished film can <a href="https://www.magellantv.com/video/wild-el-salvador-in-the-shadow-of-the-volcanoes" target="_blank">now be seen on Magellan TV</a>.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div></div>rharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010076940674472737.post-26347735128398061622021-08-10T18:01:00.003+01:002021-08-14T19:53:39.103+01:00Barba Amarilla...<p>Known locally as the Barba Amarilla (yellow beard), Terciopelo or Fer-de-lance, <i>Bothrops asper</i> is a member of the lancehead family of pitvipers and is without doubt the most dangerous snake in Central and South America. It causes more human fatalities each year than any other species found in the region. Injecting an average 105 mg of venom with each bite, just 50 mg is considered a fatal dose for humans. The venom causes pain and swelling and has cytotoxic and hemotoxic qualities. If the bite doesn't kill it causes significant pain and tissue damage often resulting in the loss of limbs or severe disfigurement. </p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RrQ7BV4qpu1NOb9tLhdlUBZooT2-XwZH1SW1WnTt8l4_rKZuF0fEKzEi43y9C5FiaOLJq-MgT2jcKXMXVKOuLMWzsTTS4drNFQcPlf7e0_5Cwb_JI2fGIVfeooMtHlQdl8z4AQ0Vikw/s1500/Terciopelo3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="1500" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RrQ7BV4qpu1NOb9tLhdlUBZooT2-XwZH1SW1WnTt8l4_rKZuF0fEKzEi43y9C5FiaOLJq-MgT2jcKXMXVKOuLMWzsTTS4drNFQcPlf7e0_5Cwb_JI2fGIVfeooMtHlQdl8z4AQ0Vikw/w400-h291/Terciopelo3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6ft female<i> Bothrops asper</i> showing why it gets its <br />local name Barba amarilla</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>This snake is surprisingly common and is found throughout humid lowland forests up to approx 2000+ m from southern Mexico through Guatemala, Belize, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama to Colombia, Venezuela and western Ecuador in South America.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPAec2YbhyphenhyphenvyRoHMrUuW1y-gV1oR3t8qBH-429_3muvsGRIf0uoXi3LR8qhbJit0QZL7jaJBo5R5SNkHdOikWX-zb7IQAMXn4_0qyEs4z0afxsMiPdZWgq799wkkuLKtX3gLY_4E6GtM/s2048/20190907_192634.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPAec2YbhyphenhyphenvyRoHMrUuW1y-gV1oR3t8qBH-429_3muvsGRIf0uoXi3LR8qhbJit0QZL7jaJBo5R5SNkHdOikWX-zb7IQAMXn4_0qyEs4z0afxsMiPdZWgq799wkkuLKtX3gLY_4E6GtM/w300-h400/20190907_192634.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile <i>Bothrops asper</i>.<br />Only 12 inches long but just as deadly as the parent.<br />Tapirus Lodge, Costa Rica</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Being common certainly contributes to the number of encounters with people but it is also a highly irascible snake. It usually sits tight when disturbed and is often trodden on, it becomes easily aggravated and confrontational if interacted with. At Tapirus Lodge in Costa Rica, it was the most frequently encountered snake and we had several close encounters whilst walking to the restaurant in the evenings, including the juvenile above. The cameraman Mike Hutchinson, almost trod on this one in the dark between the restaurant and the accommodation.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mEWmwYbmluj9cZLFEhVOdv__1PMvmQRO_rUb1QyBpnzYI9CjeBBZXWiXnM0vRYO2Cv8idCTdEMqNRgvJDat8-P3dwNUp-ew9B_Ivodfa-pCCaOCKszgutxgqaPtjRa2sSGmTH5CRF28/s2048/20190613_205254.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mEWmwYbmluj9cZLFEhVOdv__1PMvmQRO_rUb1QyBpnzYI9CjeBBZXWiXnM0vRYO2Cv8idCTdEMqNRgvJDat8-P3dwNUp-ew9B_Ivodfa-pCCaOCKszgutxgqaPtjRa2sSGmTH5CRF28/w400-h300/20190613_205254.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bothrops asper</i>, male<br />Osa Biological Station, Costa Rica</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rZFNJ59xc-rSRE2dPS5Pep56rlPddypH_ZzIrvuslXcrPeIdzJwPAgO0W3Q7fhyphenhyphenTbWRKzK6krAtxJSyop0xzbkNLghS-IJ-7PUkXiRWwuDMw2et3XpfifC31MgGkG9w5tRYXfKphxFk/s2048/20190908_055245.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rZFNJ59xc-rSRE2dPS5Pep56rlPddypH_ZzIrvuslXcrPeIdzJwPAgO0W3Q7fhyphenhyphenTbWRKzK6krAtxJSyop0xzbkNLghS-IJ-7PUkXiRWwuDMw2et3XpfifC31MgGkG9w5tRYXfKphxFk/w300-h400/20190908_055245.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Bothrops asper, Tapirus Lodge, CR<br />This one was sitting next to the path<br />outside my accommodation!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayg-dmcwNh8r6z8VL1hVhQE63sjwbUVG-pIGWLXMHMU44JoxWcGU2rHXEnLQl5ciOW7dy9pk2ZDANjSvPTlkRpofJvi4PIa3TCewxv6RhWZOL55gMD6GCuF3fzunyPi_HcBv4svIHri0/s2048/20190908_060219.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayg-dmcwNh8r6z8VL1hVhQE63sjwbUVG-pIGWLXMHMU44JoxWcGU2rHXEnLQl5ciOW7dy9pk2ZDANjSvPTlkRpofJvi4PIa3TCewxv6RhWZOL55gMD6GCuF3fzunyPi_HcBv4svIHri0/w300-h400/20190908_060219.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same individual as above. This view clearly<br />shows the 'lancehead' formed by the<br />large venom glands behind the eyes.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Despite their terrifying reputation, bites can be mitigated if you are aware of their presence and take simple precautions - using a head torch/torch at night, wearing stout footwear and avoiding stepping blindly over logs and fallen trees across footpaths (their favourite ambush cover) will all help. Personally I can't wait to see these incredible reptiles again when travel allows.</p><p>****************************</p><p><b>WARNING - GRAPHIC IMAGE</b></p><p>For those in any doubt as to the seriousness of the effects of Terciopelo venom, the following image from Google clearly illustrate what happens to human flesh after a bite.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaX4fEny-jkf0hY_8ufwhsG4EWx7aLopLDgj4r_LPHnZxZ3trMmNGVw15MLqbZxXviI7mbl-nQYLOCPLe2IJan9BEfRcr2TpK-fXx_BSWs3SZCi00b9pLz_oJ0PC4XXzhth8O2y55BpbA/s800/asper.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="800" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaX4fEny-jkf0hY_8ufwhsG4EWx7aLopLDgj4r_LPHnZxZ3trMmNGVw15MLqbZxXviI7mbl-nQYLOCPLe2IJan9BEfRcr2TpK-fXx_BSWs3SZCi00b9pLz_oJ0PC4XXzhth8O2y55BpbA/s320/asper.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>rharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010076940674472737.post-76911047408161082942021-08-03T21:31:00.002+01:002021-08-03T21:34:35.321+01:00Guatemalan Beaded Lizard<p>The Guatemalan Beaded Lizard (<i>Heloderma horridum charlesbogerti</i>) is one of the rarest reptiles in the world. Found only in a limited area of seasonally dry forest habitat of the Motagua in southern Guatemala, it is estimated there are less than 500 individuals left in the wild. The 'beaded' refers to the armour-like scales covering their body. They are perfectly designed for living in such challenging conditions.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycfvhVu7ZpJz7KveKbPZ8rDEBLEbyzCsyahlMm6N1vH1I97IOQ-YCyawHNUoWMPdzzjt8pKyf-YyeOKWhhMfMczDtZFrIFsmQCTTrXzTYEwtCmg5dlaK-FudMBUoaEzA2zvRMwLrM6os/s2048/20190925_132758%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycfvhVu7ZpJz7KveKbPZ8rDEBLEbyzCsyahlMm6N1vH1I97IOQ-YCyawHNUoWMPdzzjt8pKyf-YyeOKWhhMfMczDtZFrIFsmQCTTrXzTYEwtCmg5dlaK-FudMBUoaEzA2zvRMwLrM6os/w300-h400/20190925_132758%25280%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only way to safely hold a Beaded Lizard <br />is from underneath.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>These phenomenal lizards are larger versions of their close relatives the better known Gila Monster, which has a wider distribution in the southwest United States down into New Mexico. Like the Gila Monster, the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard is venomous. Although relatively slow moving they can bite with surprising speed, flicking their head back and around with alarming dexterity. When handled they exude the saliva-like venom from their mouths, a thick clear liquid that smells surprisingly pleasant - like sugar and lemon! Although not life threatening the effects of a bite are very unpleasant. Daniel Ariano-Sánchez, a research biologist who has dedicated his career to studying the lizards, has taken a few bites in his time and describes feeling weak and nauseous with non-stop vomiting for about 24-48 hours.</p><p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRE7zWw1gYazPos6JjQqBGMiOjRsNpTTNIugIIivYq8hyttLJg6oe1oK_1J17NLW09se3HniIzqWc5P91k-owoNCNzNZXPqum_s_3FUFRLE8zOtRBEhD1pwtXJGFep1zsvc1c6DLcOB4/s2048/20190925_065102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRE7zWw1gYazPos6JjQqBGMiOjRsNpTTNIugIIivYq8hyttLJg6oe1oK_1J17NLW09se3HniIzqWc5P91k-owoNCNzNZXPqum_s_3FUFRLE8zOtRBEhD1pwtXJGFep1zsvc1c6DLcOB4/w300-h400/20190925_065102.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guatemalan Beaded Lizard</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>Their diet consists mostly of eggs, including the equally endangered Guatemalan Spiny-tailed Iguana <i>Ctenosaura palearis</i> (also endemic to the region). They are so closely linked that should the iguana population decline, the fate of the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard would follow.</p><p>La Aurora Zoo in Guatemala City (under the direction of <a href="https://threecountieswildlife.blogspot.com/2020/02/indigo-are-go.html" target="_blank">Indigo Expedition's</a> Rowland Griffin) is now working with NGO's and universities to assist with the captive breeding programme, which will eventually allow reintroductions to boost the population. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaNtGNmyVHy8NYF_ZJEGcoAcRsQ0_NvKg4pO6Gpx0HSkagvhRcxugeQKiOgfZG82-2kT7DVJqivoFovToswRDi-maG0V98anAbSG2Mev4TzVj-bftKOgjR8XZwEB24sk68DFil0JJc-c/s2048/20190925_065023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaNtGNmyVHy8NYF_ZJEGcoAcRsQ0_NvKg4pO6Gpx0HSkagvhRcxugeQKiOgfZG82-2kT7DVJqivoFovToswRDi-maG0V98anAbSG2Mev4TzVj-bftKOgjR8XZwEB24sk68DFil0JJc-c/w400-h300/20190925_065023.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Researchers fitting a radio transmitter.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>When we visited there were several conservation assistants who helped with the radio tagging in order to track their movements. However, like most projects of this nature, the Heloderma Reserve has been hit particularly hard by the Pandemic with no visitors in 2020 resulting in a reduction of staff to just a few core assistants. If you feel you could help with the preservation of this amazing animal that's really living on the edge, please consider donating at their <a href="https://gofund.me/55b8a019 " target="_blank">GoFundMe page</a>.</p>rharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010076940674472737.post-69124238961044551452020-12-02T19:50:00.000+00:002020-12-02T19:50:29.382+00:00New for the garden list...<p>Well, this had to be the surprise of the autumn for me. Just a few hundred metres from my house and staying for two weeks, one of the Isle-of-Wight release programme White-tailed Eagles was present until a few weeks ago. </p><p>Asked not to put the news out by the <b><a href="https://www.roydennis.org/category/sea-eagle/isle-of-wight-sea-eagles/" target="_blank">Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation</a></b> (who run the release scheme), we couldn't unfortunately share the news. Now that it has moved on though I can at least share a few photos. An amazing bird to see, they are the proverbial 'flying barn door' and watching it glide over Whitestaunton being harrassed by Ravens on a near daily basis, was a sight I never thought I would see and almost certainly never will again.</p><p>It's not G463's first foray into this part of the southwest peninsula, having started a tour of Dorset, Devon and Cornwall in October, at which time it passed close to Axminster. However it didn't stay anywhere for very long until it reached South Somerset on its return from Cornwall. Two weeks in one spot showed a marked change in its behaviour and was the main reason the foundation didn't want its location made public.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHea98xynyGj8vNcJSJRvYgKYR9yuxMo2hMYrTc41d7LQhR_fe6mswOl-faInW0L6AnWJ9GKmlSRHB5u_8vnzgD5JfN4fN2KbgLNe4MHisPP1z-kOpW6TCaKMhcGJqJ8p_5xs8Eshln8/s2111/aviary-image-1604166763545.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1583" data-original-width="2111" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHea98xynyGj8vNcJSJRvYgKYR9yuxMo2hMYrTc41d7LQhR_fe6mswOl-faInW0L6AnWJ9GKmlSRHB5u_8vnzgD5JfN4fN2KbgLNe4MHisPP1z-kOpW6TCaKMhcGJqJ8p_5xs8Eshln8/w400-h300/aviary-image-1604166763545.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-tailed Eagle G463 from the house!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWnK8NsdZdX1NSYE9qMEoxit7tQF7Q6OSssXQ5ZFW4937PIjysXPSNBwjoos1jakMpT26lQ9EMDdVMO2V70XXkFWgruchyphenhyphenz_dG3uTV25Pnq2MsJYyDySo1EfGkWJwJ-YMZc4QkhhJLOk/s4608/aviary-image-1604166737242.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWnK8NsdZdX1NSYE9qMEoxit7tQF7Q6OSssXQ5ZFW4937PIjysXPSNBwjoos1jakMpT26lQ9EMDdVMO2V70XXkFWgruchyphenhyphenz_dG3uTV25Pnq2MsJYyDySo1EfGkWJwJ-YMZc4QkhhJLOk/w400-h300/aviary-image-1604166737242.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With corvid convoy...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />As you would expect, it was continually harassed in flight by both gulls and covids but it didn't seem to care too much and when perched it would often sit quietly with corvids in the same tree.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzabe39WU4KYFnt6m-B1jgljaRpaxzQ5w4s-WF0FNArMcx71q3DMpVeHIS2EwxcWAI9yCTrkdD_thuENmX0IAxFlIPLD9rvEOsQJxk40NGxTgrdyXlsMW0XHMocYh3DlwAAIAY6uKoqr4/s3600/aviary-image-1604497192681.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="3600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzabe39WU4KYFnt6m-B1jgljaRpaxzQ5w4s-WF0FNArMcx71q3DMpVeHIS2EwxcWAI9yCTrkdD_thuENmX0IAxFlIPLD9rvEOsQJxk40NGxTgrdyXlsMW0XHMocYh3DlwAAIAY6uKoqr4/w400-h300/aviary-image-1604497192681.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sheep carcass proved popular with the eagle <br />and a flock of around 20 Ravens but the fun was<br />over as quickly as it had begun when the farmer <br />found and disposed of the carcass.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnP-89aiaic5GYL_jyyDkFlfnVSqDQzJkw79aiQ1tUlstg-AIKLTGRGTc5t_GL_guzmpENgGVIG6y610Cu-zO-k7eu6hA6nU5UFbbNZWIBYb87AOi9dHdtx0nfU-nFqcDVKmrJQdHFhxE/s4608/DSCN5895.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnP-89aiaic5GYL_jyyDkFlfnVSqDQzJkw79aiQ1tUlstg-AIKLTGRGTc5t_GL_guzmpENgGVIG6y610Cu-zO-k7eu6hA6nU5UFbbNZWIBYb87AOi9dHdtx0nfU-nFqcDVKmrJQdHFhxE/w400-h300/DSCN5895.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resting up in its favourite Ash Tree<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>The photo was taken around 60 m away with the P1000. It crossed the A30 backwards and forwards dozens of times and often perched within full view of the road but remained unnoticed. It was at times though, very difficult to locate. Despite moving around a relatively small area it was not an easy bird to monitor and report back on.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNN4LNvSQUG7prwtPTx3npoxexwgXGT8aj4CU4_W_qBSFTU2sB7yPSK4eR_30YF1gK8p5L3pNN3prM_cdXcd3gCpJXXOo6Uz8UiuWdsudJzaYfMxvndPqX8DkR880eecX-WdPvOu3YY6U/s3107/aviary-image-1604500004710.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3107" data-original-width="2549" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNN4LNvSQUG7prwtPTx3npoxexwgXGT8aj4CU4_W_qBSFTU2sB7yPSK4eR_30YF1gK8p5L3pNN3prM_cdXcd3gCpJXXOo6Uz8UiuWdsudJzaYfMxvndPqX8DkR880eecX-WdPvOu3YY6U/w329-h400/aviary-image-1604500004710.jpeg" width="329" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young male G463<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>Not a bird I ever thought would be added to the garden list. Glad it's on the move though, hopefully more people will connect with it as it heads home in the coming weeks.</p>rharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010076940674472737.post-10694577228218038682020-08-23T11:15:00.000+01:002020-08-23T11:15:00.467+01:00Moths...Whilst lockdown for Covid-19 is over in the UK, things still feel far from normal. Travel restrictions are making filming overseas difficult, although there's light at the end of the tunnel. Running the moth trap two or three times a week from home has been a lifesaver during this time.<div><br /></div><div>Persistence paid off last week when I found a Bedstraw Hawkmoth in the trap, a new species for me.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlMCvng-P4ACVVchmF38fTANYnd-QFpM06X1YoN_jqyOA-h-n0kJhfUPXkL9K0Jb_7D-nU8y7oIVqaEnQTIA_DxDyYD7l8-KLNqltiUmVYFUfzb4vRWXzuCUytLldD2R42U7HaENUTqc/s2048/BH.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1786" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlMCvng-P4ACVVchmF38fTANYnd-QFpM06X1YoN_jqyOA-h-n0kJhfUPXkL9K0Jb_7D-nU8y7oIVqaEnQTIA_DxDyYD7l8-KLNqltiUmVYFUfzb4vRWXzuCUytLldD2R42U7HaENUTqc/w349-h400/BH.jpg" width="349" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bedstraw Hawkmoth<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCNjJyLy3i1rYQIYnfVYNJCj08drRhjp3Wamsr_aG6k0nweavAmWAJSWrKPgUv1qz5YVBchgJgV06zOinAjAKunm0V8HgCvd8SP1wndignmwss4iXixq-2Itwu6nXMm1C6wk5LEEOwLo/s4032/20200814_192720.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCNjJyLy3i1rYQIYnfVYNJCj08drRhjp3Wamsr_aG6k0nweavAmWAJSWrKPgUv1qz5YVBchgJgV06zOinAjAKunm0V8HgCvd8SP1wndignmwss4iXixq-2Itwu6nXMm1C6wk5LEEOwLo/w400-h225/20200814_192720.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bedstraw Hawkmoth<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Other species from the last few weeks include:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6k3pk5MECJ_XWIhGq9lW4zPXmMBSQSx4ApXDtirqy_gBLPij_XSNKOiCkx2Qr3BXeOu_ouWEjhd5v3NSB7KdbPrP97x36ES7LcanVvNzZqkiL8AvkxAtdwRjRQSK5i4Fuenh5ARFh7w/s2248/20200815_150405.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2248" data-original-width="1457" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6k3pk5MECJ_XWIhGq9lW4zPXmMBSQSx4ApXDtirqy_gBLPij_XSNKOiCkx2Qr3BXeOu_ouWEjhd5v3NSB7KdbPrP97x36ES7LcanVvNzZqkiL8AvkxAtdwRjRQSK5i4Fuenh5ARFh7w/w259-h400/20200815_150405.jpg" width="259" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Limespeck Pug<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1KX9VH4opmybBOfwglCryjK4f4q7f8x1OaBOOas5nT0WL_2HKjq8Ni3YkJy_6XsFSM9xZAH5Em6J-3um3FPoHlCivPD3i2YPj9RXGPbcFuAOUCZacNG9JJ8ib9Ur0KuQaYxDE6PnfCw/s2048/20200811_072038.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1355" data-original-width="2048" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1KX9VH4opmybBOfwglCryjK4f4q7f8x1OaBOOas5nT0WL_2HKjq8Ni3YkJy_6XsFSM9xZAH5Em6J-3um3FPoHlCivPD3i2YPj9RXGPbcFuAOUCZacNG9JJ8ib9Ur0KuQaYxDE6PnfCw/w400-h264/20200811_072038.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barred Hooktip<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcKYSK7dIyjNp7-Y8qE4BKzEDZYS-iJglkUhuVfyiMt0IEmld-mAqHfTwR_MHjRCU0baYHVLBm4YNNfwaOQIwkTpC3gL35-mN3V1QZrFpMNzQ1D0npWIe0ArQuuYnxKpPDWm8DreCyOU/s2921/aviary-image-1596894017186.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1827" data-original-width="2921" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcKYSK7dIyjNp7-Y8qE4BKzEDZYS-iJglkUhuVfyiMt0IEmld-mAqHfTwR_MHjRCU0baYHVLBm4YNNfwaOQIwkTpC3gL35-mN3V1QZrFpMNzQ1D0npWIe0ArQuuYnxKpPDWm8DreCyOU/w400-h250/aviary-image-1596894017186.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mocha<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhHX59xsxAwqaZ6YTFs2zbWbYIDP7AXFhkZdiT5yLSYEfwzQIlYr7yGw52o1jpi5QwS_kmeHhCqxcakP7-DIETCboTRAAUg-R5YMPw8-WVGQovA8lm_Zr0l-wIyS_axFeWupUW6BtJhc/s2394/aviary-image-1596894537723.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2394" data-original-width="1796" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhHX59xsxAwqaZ6YTFs2zbWbYIDP7AXFhkZdiT5yLSYEfwzQIlYr7yGw52o1jpi5QwS_kmeHhCqxcakP7-DIETCboTRAAUg-R5YMPw8-WVGQovA8lm_Zr0l-wIyS_axFeWupUW6BtJhc/w300-h400/aviary-image-1596894537723.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marbled Green<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIkygoOJCHgVgemAm3jaV9SmZ-jCm3W9V9oYRIDFVmgUPGjs94jCGnb0ThAqnvj2CG6xJ4dPDxF_vLHmS_-UWYLE-zZpKiPO0gg3BUNYEZl6KJu26K6FTBgtVBUtmoWVFv_BX9G1G9Wo/s2488/aviary-image-1595922395269.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1659" data-original-width="2488" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIkygoOJCHgVgemAm3jaV9SmZ-jCm3W9V9oYRIDFVmgUPGjs94jCGnb0ThAqnvj2CG6xJ4dPDxF_vLHmS_-UWYLE-zZpKiPO0gg3BUNYEZl6KJu26K6FTBgtVBUtmoWVFv_BX9G1G9Wo/w400-h267/aviary-image-1595922395269.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Shell<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ke47lc3g8WIEG5ac5PA0zjEie76VwOPjG0Pr1yiRAwk2qZ20PdcnmaUem4mcEVzpoOEMV5rbihBnFM9P5GcQKbLhaZMi1cz5bsnq1vGkX3my1tn2FORPEU4i-pw3WtCnTlKiNjgZehY/s4032/20200718_072421.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ke47lc3g8WIEG5ac5PA0zjEie76VwOPjG0Pr1yiRAwk2qZ20PdcnmaUem4mcEVzpoOEMV5rbihBnFM9P5GcQKbLhaZMi1cz5bsnq1vGkX3my1tn2FORPEU4i-pw3WtCnTlKiNjgZehY/w400-h180/20200718_072421.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drinker<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYUtrQJsWgO4dIgTU7lpkmiRqz0kVeIzMjWzHnc-89mvBuxJG4eEPJq8wIA4h08uJmGYS6JqbanJaWOl2unrDki7E0CIFwEhXsmsLwpw_vxBXHH9trfaswbEi0iFzXIhlEekKjvd3pFs/s1620/aviary-image-1594888953578.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYUtrQJsWgO4dIgTU7lpkmiRqz0kVeIzMjWzHnc-89mvBuxJG4eEPJq8wIA4h08uJmGYS6JqbanJaWOl2unrDki7E0CIFwEhXsmsLwpw_vxBXHH9trfaswbEi0iFzXIhlEekKjvd3pFs/w267-h400/aviary-image-1594888953578.jpeg" width="267" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosy Footman</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7RGkj62cjS7B86ybapBeTNvOvexX8Qbn7JtIUOtJLB6bCAViopQxi5Hiaq8F4u_l-PLCitdA3TMT44QbWAk0cqAke4Js3DZ0-gXe5OC4lDq2dDLnZwK75KSdvAzoZOZIGJlWzUELkAI/s1747/aviary-image-1594909061090.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1747" data-original-width="1310" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7RGkj62cjS7B86ybapBeTNvOvexX8Qbn7JtIUOtJLB6bCAViopQxi5Hiaq8F4u_l-PLCitdA3TMT44QbWAk0cqAke4Js3DZ0-gXe5OC4lDq2dDLnZwK75KSdvAzoZOZIGJlWzUELkAI/w300-h400/aviary-image-1594909061090.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Yellow Wave<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Rau-yefpcp6DQxnSA5B19Uf68bsxQ6GOxc_90oHfrQHCpUY3-rk7V97wwO_bjAmCBGyzAmDIc4zQNWBrwXIPZSzBP2LUleiY3H2kcomnEfQENTVHWHNp12ktvvWmE6g_H38gIrwXeAI/s4032/20200809_081718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Rau-yefpcp6DQxnSA5B19Uf68bsxQ6GOxc_90oHfrQHCpUY3-rk7V97wwO_bjAmCBGyzAmDIc4zQNWBrwXIPZSzBP2LUleiY3H2kcomnEfQENTVHWHNp12ktvvWmE6g_H38gIrwXeAI/w225-h400/20200809_081718.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iron Prominant<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CENpaN8jj5hwYA9hDqELsRFW-MnhymivYgQMA5PiWsWE4TQBFMtonasHObK3q4nt4mGmlLh2xlxkzTCV85561afdxTwBR9QGqNmE1mKkLfvcK_v0HHlKIqFTM4f9SRc3PB-R4hFkgus/s4032/20200809_105431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CENpaN8jj5hwYA9hDqELsRFW-MnhymivYgQMA5PiWsWE4TQBFMtonasHObK3q4nt4mGmlLh2xlxkzTCV85561afdxTwBR9QGqNmE1mKkLfvcK_v0HHlKIqFTM4f9SRc3PB-R4hFkgus/w400-h225/20200809_105431.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copper Underwing<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TL8LdIl2VMaKt4tLVnWDBG1yH2oBlJdVCiuPKHz3FiAQm5-w48t8BnaHYl4SXdLT0iXpLRaFHpdweA05uyNNdPrli1KVtlhNL01Cx44WSZ0TFFndNt8v15IhzUYS28ZszaWHTG3moOs/s2411/aviary-image-1596894105758.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1607" data-original-width="2411" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TL8LdIl2VMaKt4tLVnWDBG1yH2oBlJdVCiuPKHz3FiAQm5-w48t8BnaHYl4SXdLT0iXpLRaFHpdweA05uyNNdPrli1KVtlhNL01Cx44WSZ0TFFndNt8v15IhzUYS28ZszaWHTG3moOs/w400-h266/aviary-image-1596894105758.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Twin-spot Carpet<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aH5SF53PUSnzXJfk_clt04XJEDa_5mcZnuQZdemCo_moXE6rLAvHBjWuNzuPaM0IrszRboa2KUehpmWzDcjhIRBeBREDM7wfRNFj3qIwO-63UqNhP3NzkTgqq4wi7Xk3LU6ACJC8fSI/s4032/20200730_105811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aH5SF53PUSnzXJfk_clt04XJEDa_5mcZnuQZdemCo_moXE6rLAvHBjWuNzuPaM0IrszRboa2KUehpmWzDcjhIRBeBREDM7wfRNFj3qIwO-63UqNhP3NzkTgqq4wi7Xk3LU6ACJC8fSI/w400-h225/20200730_105811.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pebble Prominent<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijckLXbhWOR9VNb5aGj8hqdBNZegbFqKC6eD4EvNEpKJyvP6mQAKoA1SVNv6nWxQvq05_OY9kKh6rprQxXksKxpauhQyO74Gkw1ukao_6gw7Yd34Lssg-KDME7I0a8NxX4zQ5WoXBgrwU/s4032/20200710_075027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijckLXbhWOR9VNb5aGj8hqdBNZegbFqKC6eD4EvNEpKJyvP6mQAKoA1SVNv6nWxQvq05_OY9kKh6rprQxXksKxpauhQyO74Gkw1ukao_6gw7Yd34Lssg-KDME7I0a8NxX4zQ5WoXBgrwU/w400-h180/20200710_075027.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buff Arches<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoUJS-pNEdBkj2g3NezOZmzBvJlvVckATWPHMS8OfK99Tzznpu8ZGeYJ1IOgnHk9loUENi5sappOGoEpCcG2suSF1YcwK94Iqm9xtKcdCouhN_0CgqinKfGRu2_9Rcm_QfxvmhM_G0NM/s4032/20200710_074255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoUJS-pNEdBkj2g3NezOZmzBvJlvVckATWPHMS8OfK99Tzznpu8ZGeYJ1IOgnHk9loUENi5sappOGoEpCcG2suSF1YcwK94Iqm9xtKcdCouhN_0CgqinKfGRu2_9Rcm_QfxvmhM_G0NM/w400-h180/20200710_074255.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drinker, female left and male right<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHVDyFjL7r3jspBeGCJeEBitpZC16aE0smOp-evaT2ly9R5HaccfZrvNL7ffpQfHzQ-13sBsLjBQdxL0XLjSNoTly_-MAvLQ1dJZUd42ZbEsJJdd91HlKOKKzhayR3R2o9mt3e4iy2pw/s1812/aviary-image-1594371879593.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1389" data-original-width="1812" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHVDyFjL7r3jspBeGCJeEBitpZC16aE0smOp-evaT2ly9R5HaccfZrvNL7ffpQfHzQ-13sBsLjBQdxL0XLjSNoTly_-MAvLQ1dJZUd42ZbEsJJdd91HlKOKKzhayR3R2o9mt3e4iy2pw/w400-h306/aviary-image-1594371879593.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elephant Hawkmoth<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWckt4cSeUC06zcnSsfh2NWXItaEgLy_v7N01B7PrMFY6tlPdiuEyIlu1yk3VooNHv7Hh_uj6q2P3hwKxU3nOsnR4PKuVpOKd5FVaQJ0PJKgIDQHRfkEr6IZ902Gf7eMofIZJxSIqZa-w/s4032/20200701_121703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWckt4cSeUC06zcnSsfh2NWXItaEgLy_v7N01B7PrMFY6tlPdiuEyIlu1yk3VooNHv7Hh_uj6q2P3hwKxU3nOsnR4PKuVpOKd5FVaQJ0PJKgIDQHRfkEr6IZ902Gf7eMofIZJxSIqZa-w/w400-h180/20200701_121703.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lilac Beauty<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZcZTia0uTbJ_rhUFKeqWqthlOCvACZxXhjuP6bW-EqkZCuvK3xh388AMLu9WzgdiKfRCVKH-Ngriy7Db-FknFCYr2XwqZBypLOGgCXbe7Ekio-XbAYI8Ioa2TwG9a5ih6w7yok6TTH8/s2237/aviary-image-1593587712140.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1678" data-original-width="2237" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZcZTia0uTbJ_rhUFKeqWqthlOCvACZxXhjuP6bW-EqkZCuvK3xh388AMLu9WzgdiKfRCVKH-Ngriy7Db-FknFCYr2XwqZBypLOGgCXbe7Ekio-XbAYI8Ioa2TwG9a5ih6w7yok6TTH8/w400-h300/aviary-image-1593587712140.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Emerald<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>rharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010076940674472737.post-32809642745671010812020-06-17T09:43:00.000+01:002020-06-17T09:43:05.118+01:00Bee Orchids...2020 has been exceptional for many reasons, Covid-19 has disrupted lives around the planet, in the UK we have experienced the warmest, driest May on record and (now that we can travel locally) I've seen more Bee Orchids, <i>Ophrys apifera</i>, than ever before.<div><br /></div><div>The conditions this spring seem to have been ideal for many orchid species - ironic considering we haven't been able to travel to see them for the first time ever! However, now that lockdown has eased slightly, my son and I have returned to doing his preferred walk in Seaton and it was on one of these walks a couple of weeks ago that I noticed a large colony of Bee Orchids in pristine condition. The Ophrys family are probably my favourite of the British orchids, they are very distinct, attractive plants and the Bee is certainly one of the most exotic looking.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NHHVWiWPcHMry-HIfX7faA_70o6PEzwWEzQwbXQEOENWxtWe8LArU-_v2T5H94Q8PzeEyAPXa3FOVdw9RRXteilwKJNSHRJxSAlu9jFRfKyPGGwjKsynWMfKPA2V9QhkE4jhMtrtvVY/s4032/20200615_142104.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NHHVWiWPcHMry-HIfX7faA_70o6PEzwWEzQwbXQEOENWxtWe8LArU-_v2T5H94Q8PzeEyAPXa3FOVdw9RRXteilwKJNSHRJxSAlu9jFRfKyPGGwjKsynWMfKPA2V9QhkE4jhMtrtvVY/w288-h640/20200615_142104.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of around 30 flower spikes</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I went back again to make a short video with <a href="www.nigelmarven.com" target="_blank">Nigel</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r1nWEmtjCf0" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQokpjRWDhcrtyX4GammcoUuXghDSudIpyKaunp28G22Fr3aqTxp8mz108lE9hZ5FY5L_-E3xTfwm0cljpVg4KoDZ1XyLAMt_6RSAcJjcarATuERdzwqReLa1M9ZGJr60-b8otS2KHxIw/s4032/20200614_124113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQokpjRWDhcrtyX4GammcoUuXghDSudIpyKaunp28G22Fr3aqTxp8mz108lE9hZ5FY5L_-E3xTfwm0cljpVg4KoDZ1XyLAMt_6RSAcJjcarATuERdzwqReLa1M9ZGJr60-b8otS2KHxIw/w360-h640/20200614_124113.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea<br />also adding a splash of colour.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZp2wffY0W5sTwfPInVaIwh_Z7cduF5aFFpfYlPPBXGuJeujpbLiRedc5_IlJYxYHv7jtfL_a8wRZO2_FA0cByX70qTlz_3iUsto9jy2wGY0gZC5tiAbv9OayDmTcKkE2Rq679rTUgq4g/s4032/20200614_132712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZp2wffY0W5sTwfPInVaIwh_Z7cduF5aFFpfYlPPBXGuJeujpbLiRedc5_IlJYxYHv7jtfL_a8wRZO2_FA0cByX70qTlz_3iUsto9jy2wGY0gZC5tiAbv9OayDmTcKkE2Rq679rTUgq4g/w360-h640/20200614_132712.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stinking Iris - I usually find them when they're<br />past their best so nice to see it in flower.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>rharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010076940674472737.post-6819707169170095082020-06-07T22:35:00.011+01:002020-06-12T13:30:19.239+01:00Starlings...Starlings are a great group of birds. Generally either loved (for their cheeky character, quirky manners and colourful plumage or ignored (pests, noisy, too common), I'm certainly in the former group. An adult European Starling in breeding plumage is one of our most attractive birds IMO.<div><br /></div><div>In recent days we've seen an influx of scarce Rosy Starlings from Eastern Europe and Asia, they've been popping up in flocks of regular starlings up and down the country. Yesterday a pair were found in Seaton, Devon about 12 miles away from here. When I heard the news I turned and looked out of the window to see a small group of half-a-dozen starlings foraging in the field behind our house. My heart jumped as a pale bird moved randomly among them - bloody hell! Could it be a Rosy Starling here too? I frantically ran for my camera and bins and after a few tense seconds realised that it was in fact a leucistic European Starling! An individual that was completely snow white (but with a dark iris, so not albino). My short-lived disappointment (at it not being a Rosy) was soon replaced with awe as this stunning little bird weaved in and out of the tussocks and crept ever closer. Later in the day it appeared on the wires outside the house and I was able to get decent images of it.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWHsHhT3_-ca8QIsYDL4peKyRkVKzdgoLiEL3WFBsR_OsBa65KM9FR2RtjUc9P1ThPse7gwnE_E4Xn6Zh1zMUAbCxSqnr-eYj0RCO-zInGReYymHj4foshiUS6jjDpHclPAifjgIjUlI/s1200/ws.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWHsHhT3_-ca8QIsYDL4peKyRkVKzdgoLiEL3WFBsR_OsBa65KM9FR2RtjUc9P1ThPse7gwnE_E4Xn6Zh1zMUAbCxSqnr-eYj0RCO-zInGReYymHj4foshiUS6jjDpHclPAifjgIjUlI/w400-h300/ws.jpg" title="Leucistic European Starling, Whitestaunton" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Fast forward to Sunday (today). After hearing the news that the Rosy Starlings were 'showing well' at Seaton again this morning, I had to go and see them. They are stunning birds and being so close to home, it would have been amiss not to pay a visit. Nigel couldn't resist going for this one either and joined me there.</div><div><br /></div><div>On arrival a few birders were wandering around, scanning the rooftops and it was apparent the birds were not showing. An older couple told me they had been there 45 minutes and not seen it. As I said 'that's a shame' I glanced up at a chimney pot and said, there it is! </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz17xg7hKHlA4VwNB0OrKh8UCx4kZOaymOdGuKK7ku5wy-kzqx_gMI8cFfaDqWQhAnTfft25EGRngV2ZR8hwMy9XC4OQ9owEYc_LGJ1QAivr2KKz1pwdkleqfxh41eN4EQKmfkOEMmuR4/s1255/Rose_crest.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="1255" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz17xg7hKHlA4VwNB0OrKh8UCx4kZOaymOdGuKK7ku5wy-kzqx_gMI8cFfaDqWQhAnTfft25EGRngV2ZR8hwMy9XC4OQ9owEYc_LGJ1QAivr2KKz1pwdkleqfxh41eN4EQKmfkOEMmuR4/w400-h345/Rose_crest.jpg" title="Rosy Starling...punk hair!" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosy Starling...punk hair!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkg6i4zwYzQQbpvmW-vRCiv19n8T5bElaMhJ6tA0KgJAM7sDE2RY7fsPpHIxyqk49VnVX2fbD8GwPEoY_Z4sFE2sdp0Myq2Baho2rXResPY72AppKsb5n9S7Iqt-Sk7ZOhWWQFUHwuS4/s1000/Rosy1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="1000" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkg6i4zwYzQQbpvmW-vRCiv19n8T5bElaMhJ6tA0KgJAM7sDE2RY7fsPpHIxyqk49VnVX2fbD8GwPEoY_Z4sFE2sdp0Myq2Baho2rXResPY72AppKsb5n9S7Iqt-Sk7ZOhWWQFUHwuS4/w400-h315/Rosy1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosy Starling, male singing its heart out!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGimpxZBsJA9RXfDQ36xpybiSOTPOLp92OAc0tTEZAuLxoxe5b9vbbb3C8tCxTz97vC0I9BRX6_wn3Mf9GiVnl0v4WaU-ziqTCQjJNqm2k3GzCAxNWiqRbmKCzkkRV4KUsMGLLpeADgDw/s1000/Rosy2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGimpxZBsJA9RXfDQ36xpybiSOTPOLp92OAc0tTEZAuLxoxe5b9vbbb3C8tCxTz97vC0I9BRX6_wn3Mf9GiVnl0v4WaU-ziqTCQjJNqm2k3GzCAxNWiqRbmKCzkkRV4KUsMGLLpeADgDw/w400-h320/Rosy2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAb5mcAGe0yydjeQBE2fLq9HOBFidy6E-43dHIR-PWIH65w48IS5YGHTT9JHLhE4EOsjRw2W85trlCl9GF4U6dPe1gdojgoowqZnDurRf4b0s1P4nDXRqMw4v9hwnZKT93M3mOnaVTg4/s1000/Rosy3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="1000" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAb5mcAGe0yydjeQBE2fLq9HOBFidy6E-43dHIR-PWIH65w48IS5YGHTT9JHLhE4EOsjRw2W85trlCl9GF4U6dPe1gdojgoowqZnDurRf4b0s1P4nDXRqMw4v9hwnZKT93M3mOnaVTg4/w400-h323/Rosy3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This could grace my chimney any day.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The female never materialised but the male made up for it in showiness, what a fantastic bird and my best views for sure.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WmWRZFNutBI" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> A stroll along the under cliff afterwards produced in excess of 20 spikes of Bee Orchid, the perfect way to round-off a great morning.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIzRbUSHF99nx46h20tteplPC7_7DrZuGFmnTOFFAIgsAWnhUIsLzTV-OwfcItw0CwkvG77Sq0Ma-5Y1DoRlLQZCk8aqa2yntFXOxFuWnOwkBAiF0DUgMZ_0vyrLDZY9BloyfTkXlH2I/s679/bo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="590" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIzRbUSHF99nx46h20tteplPC7_7DrZuGFmnTOFFAIgsAWnhUIsLzTV-OwfcItw0CwkvG77Sq0Ma-5Y1DoRlLQZCk8aqa2yntFXOxFuWnOwkBAiF0DUgMZ_0vyrLDZY9BloyfTkXlH2I/w348-h400/bo.jpg" width="348" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bee Orchid - a personal favourite.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4FOrTzp4x-yBxKe5kv90V9VnQQ_PG9e2S2HYVVrC3LaAByA5iqDajHJ2ztJ8wXuEzvx-8u4-BySye9IXgL5RHqg2I0CW52GL1KivhU4wDAPVs4VJzTSzsBmJPT5ANpyEink8O4Hqsrc/s1878/bo2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1878" data-original-width="1839" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4FOrTzp4x-yBxKe5kv90V9VnQQ_PG9e2S2HYVVrC3LaAByA5iqDajHJ2ztJ8wXuEzvx-8u4-BySye9IXgL5RHqg2I0CW52GL1KivhU4wDAPVs4VJzTSzsBmJPT5ANpyEink8O4Hqsrc/w391-h400/bo2.jpg" width="391" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Fingers crossed that lockdown will cease (or at least be relaxed) soon so that we can travel further and get more active.</div>rharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010076940674472737.post-20091961150275684382020-04-16T06:37:00.001+01:002020-04-16T06:37:14.076+01:00Coming to a screen near you soon....The programmes we filmed last year in Central America are coming to our screens in the next couple of months - perfect viewing whilst on lockdown! Already available on National Geographic Wild, the two-part presenterless version 'Wild Central America' aired in the UK on Sunday 8th March and can be seen again on NatGeoWild (Sky CH 166) on 27th April at 9am and 10 am<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVIdOjyrdbKFjbD2MpCJFBZK80uPmnIEoS2uWdRMmbz3-vaw0U6LjLiBL-aBTCMrl6QjJYfgRatKuZWccqdbpClOB9zkHdmi-QzyhNCn_LU1cIyjkT9osD8v99Owcfzs3DEESJR_Zv64/s1600/20191210_171127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVIdOjyrdbKFjbD2MpCJFBZK80uPmnIEoS2uWdRMmbz3-vaw0U6LjLiBL-aBTCMrl6QjJYfgRatKuZWccqdbpClOB9zkHdmi-QzyhNCn_LU1cIyjkT9osD8v99Owcfzs3DEESJR_Zv64/s400/20191210_171127.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nigel and cameraman Mike Hutchinson </td></tr>
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The hosted versions (Wild Costa Rica, Wild Guatemala, Wild Panama and Wild Honduras) are due to be shown over the coming weeks and months and will feature on other channels (Eden, Animal Planet). A short teaser for 'Wild Costa Rica with Nigel Marven' can be see on Nigel's Twitter feed <a href="https://twitter.com/Nigelmarven/status/1250497219444248577">https://twitter.com/Nigelmarven/status/1250497219444248577</a><br />
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Stay safe!rharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010076940674472737.post-51801593532284911782020-02-28T11:26:00.002+00:002020-02-28T11:33:20.666+00:00Panama City...Our trip to Panama was coming to an end and we planned to spend the last few days filming in and around Panama City itself. Panama City is a striking place, it has a stunning skyline that overlooks the Pacific Ocean and a Metropolitan Park just 2 km from the city core that is home to many wild animals.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPQk6qMMWgtWnyR7FT2UtzsHjBqdqQQOz1PrGWjZL5fuHa6IqOBmir_waJKLVznGwgegs4a7gOSjYBFt1zhq-hTAoTPQVWGWfuJwOG7EFW700Owrh9tacH8B0ANV8hyH5Iggr8evwRNo/s1600/PC1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1200" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPQk6qMMWgtWnyR7FT2UtzsHjBqdqQQOz1PrGWjZL5fuHa6IqOBmir_waJKLVznGwgegs4a7gOSjYBFt1zhq-hTAoTPQVWGWfuJwOG7EFW700Owrh9tacH8B0ANV8hyH5Iggr8evwRNo/s400/PC1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panama City from a drone perspective</td></tr>
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The park was our first port of call. It's home to 284 species of trees, 254 species of birds, 45 mammal, 36 reptile and 14 amphibian species. A one hour steady climb uphill along a good path brought us to a view point with fantastic views of the city. Joining us were a nice male Summer Tanager, Lineated Woodpecker, a Double-toothed Kite (sitting at head height just feet away) and a family of Geoffroy's Tamarin.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filming the view for the show</td></tr>
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Our main reason for coming here was to see a very special bird though. Rosy Thrush-Tanager is nearly always difficult to see and Metropolitan Park is one of the best places to catch up with them if you're lucky. We were fortunate to see a pair but the male was much more elusive.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosy Thrush-Tanager, female</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfkKezSElmb6PhJkhKzk-wezZCf_4jegfjBvv3cqa5W2FVUYSX_uxGRE6YdhdVIxWz2nAF9A9XSk9j1LBmBhWDOL5noaOcCIcBnNQNaPLrvmdhgWq6ZqQuPBmeOPyH0nSI6niESE5-j0/s1600/RTT3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1029" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfkKezSElmb6PhJkhKzk-wezZCf_4jegfjBvv3cqa5W2FVUYSX_uxGRE6YdhdVIxWz2nAF9A9XSk9j1LBmBhWDOL5noaOcCIcBnNQNaPLrvmdhgWq6ZqQuPBmeOPyH0nSI6niESE5-j0/s400/RTT3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Rosy Thrush Tanager, female</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Rosy Thrush-Tanager, female</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiC9wYECz4vPG9ybpO-9Nq4ax2ES6zh8NYCBW9QVrHHevre9hu_6iRKAfnKt7nP9iGWSi-L8wV9pvF4_hM432Q-Cq311JPhD9FdHG6KdVrWx8ivMWFK_fJ_g_EYBTDiRH6AWREwJoxcqs/s1600/RTT5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="1600" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiC9wYECz4vPG9ybpO-9Nq4ax2ES6zh8NYCBW9QVrHHevre9hu_6iRKAfnKt7nP9iGWSi-L8wV9pvF4_hM432Q-Cq311JPhD9FdHG6KdVrWx8ivMWFK_fJ_g_EYBTDiRH6AWREwJoxcqs/s400/RTT5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Rosy Thrush-Tanager, female</span></td></tr>
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He sat further back and only gave brief but stunning views.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0v4PZhyjWcMhewuS_L0lbo-_djCzZuKMZ7_g7lq6xJyIjVnZ5JXnM5klmIAmG-D54q8z8XAy5YsOrDkcyAp7LJAicDrgqYLngJkylmmXYNEu0dr5x0z55XbRcHjqEcNXQZScRASz2s44/s1600/RTT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="1558" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0v4PZhyjWcMhewuS_L0lbo-_djCzZuKMZ7_g7lq6xJyIjVnZ5JXnM5klmIAmG-D54q8z8XAy5YsOrDkcyAp7LJAicDrgqYLngJkylmmXYNEu0dr5x0z55XbRcHjqEcNXQZScRASz2s44/s400/RTT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosy Thrush-Tanager, male</td></tr>
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Rosy Thrush-Tanager is in its own monotypic genus with no particularly close relatives. Surprisingly perhaps its nearest species on a molecular level, are the Calcariidea (buntings including the more familiar Lapland Bunting and Snow Bunting). The pair also share the song, when one finishes its phrase the other takes over and it's really challenging to tell where one ends and the other begins. For me they are one of the highlights of the trip.</div>
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Back in the city there are dozens of kettling Turkey Vultures using the thermals from the skyscrapers to their advantage. A 10 minute drive later and we are overlooking Panama Bay, one of the most important migrating wader spots in Central America. Thousands of birds can be seen here at certain times of the year and as the tide comes in we get good views of Marbled Godwit, Willet, Greater Yellowlegs, Semi-palmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Sandwich (Cabot's) Tern and a beautiful Tri-coloured Heron.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvR9vyMaPr-Bti3n1UQbt1IvsjqM0blCLAv-agM5RNG55GI7vV0Dc-qgC1b0ZXNMlHXYiI17vwVRCoag7qy-PtMB1_IpgtdsSy44-u3Jiwjuba3z10ZAc8x0xku9pk0PzVNAi8ai0kZM/s1600/DSCN4384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvR9vyMaPr-Bti3n1UQbt1IvsjqM0blCLAv-agM5RNG55GI7vV0Dc-qgC1b0ZXNMlHXYiI17vwVRCoag7qy-PtMB1_IpgtdsSy44-u3Jiwjuba3z10ZAc8x0xku9pk0PzVNAi8ai0kZM/s400/DSCN4384.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nature on your doorstep if you live in the city.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekZwNw5zZKfCWzBUWF0UaPSo2TGQ2MgmIQcNK-0OejIwhgubJyVhN22tnAss76VV8E5OFlquNWFgzmiLOeWz6KYwNxc62JHvCueTijuM_RcVSXl9Zhb7wXlgrzEhpj32Z7qehPfEBga0/s1600/LG3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekZwNw5zZKfCWzBUWF0UaPSo2TGQ2MgmIQcNK-0OejIwhgubJyVhN22tnAss76VV8E5OFlquNWFgzmiLOeWz6KYwNxc62JHvCueTijuM_RcVSXl9Zhb7wXlgrzEhpj32Z7qehPfEBga0/s400/LG3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laughing Gull, Panama Bay...is that a suitcase?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marbled Godwits</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0vSD6duVoGspZwHvEohtWJGtbbVR29JsmJnKeQZL3vzetPtwoG1IC_R6g_iuvbK6I03eikKQV4Qx9d68eVqf1s8ibSrQUUA0WjmyiZfah6Lk_QbWSDwZSR8XFB3fljcoTPXfxvb8Nvk/s1600/HW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1049" data-original-width="1500" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0vSD6duVoGspZwHvEohtWJGtbbVR29JsmJnKeQZL3vzetPtwoG1IC_R6g_iuvbK6I03eikKQV4Qx9d68eVqf1s8ibSrQUUA0WjmyiZfah6Lk_QbWSDwZSR8XFB3fljcoTPXfxvb8Nvk/s400/HW.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hudsonian Whimbrel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Semi-P, Short-billed Dowitchers and Marbled Godwits</td></tr>
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This was the one and only place we saw horrendous rubbish problems, more to do with the tides washing into this bay rather than people specifically dumping here. They appear to be fighting a loosing battle but could certainly do with more help cleaning it up as it's very much out of control...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugEHT3wLfHgYuv1vIoyfPcbA7HFqLEmFuddktOW35kq-QZkr1miB-zXfhm3imUkcerW9XyOnlt0U2ElgKBaG_F33kjltLpQt-diNb9xYeP_q8exiTbyvqgqnD1kYJUV32Hu9iubMZTN0/s1600/mike2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugEHT3wLfHgYuv1vIoyfPcbA7HFqLEmFuddktOW35kq-QZkr1miB-zXfhm3imUkcerW9XyOnlt0U2ElgKBaG_F33kjltLpQt-diNb9xYeP_q8exiTbyvqgqnD1kYJUV32Hu9iubMZTN0/s400/mike2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike filming from the litter strewn beach</td></tr>
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That was it! Filming over we spent the last few hours relaxing and packing at the hotel before heading to the airport for an evening flight back to London via Madrid. </div>
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I've been incredibly lucky this last year and gained invaluable filming experience. </div>
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<b>Wild Costa Rica</b>, <b>Wild Guatemala</b> and <b>Wild Panama </b>will be out on a variety of channels later this year. Hopefully I'll be filming again soon.</div>
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rharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.com5Panama City, Panama8.9823792 -79.5198695999999938.4806372 -80.1653166 9.4841212 -78.874422599999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010076940674472737.post-59999114837545335562020-02-23T18:48:00.003+00:002020-02-24T18:19:34.290+00:00INDIGO are Go!During the filming trip to Guatemala with Nigel last September, I was lucky enough to meet some incredibly talented, knowledgeable and thoroughly nice naturalists. Rowland Griffin was one such person and he and his equally charming UK business partner Adela Mei, run <b><a href="https://explorewithindigo.com/" target="_blank">Indigo Expeditions</a></b>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9UVlwAsJYpvzFeVDonJKuc49TWmB95lFu2VIB9L7trcmIZGj-cccRsohHsui3S7fD92Rf4cXvvd1MtP2tJZ-irlxHc1tNaDLOD5_AwJQyF3EXQxIGBfw9j-LBi9pFXljfmco1fFQHW8/s1600/Rowland-y-Adela-at-La-Danta-El-Mirador-2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9UVlwAsJYpvzFeVDonJKuc49TWmB95lFu2VIB9L7trcmIZGj-cccRsohHsui3S7fD92Rf4cXvvd1MtP2tJZ-irlxHc1tNaDLOD5_AwJQyF3EXQxIGBfw9j-LBi9pFXljfmco1fFQHW8/s400/Rowland-y-Adela-at-La-Danta-El-Mirador-2015.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adela and Rowland on top of<br />
La Danta at El Mirador</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHXbQdtIX8swi6VgaKTA1lE72Nfuhr7DNec3piSlL26w08lebZrp1ut0LLEqJxeGo-WKl2LKFjo5jtBrBVS_LjEXiH85yH9LpnRFm4KVLDLoNsCiMoHy84xP3__G-Dw9Ke5SiBj0_vmo/s1600/IMG_0270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHXbQdtIX8swi6VgaKTA1lE72Nfuhr7DNec3piSlL26w08lebZrp1ut0LLEqJxeGo-WKl2LKFjo5jtBrBVS_LjEXiH85yH9LpnRFm4KVLDLoNsCiMoHy84xP3__G-Dw9Ke5SiBj0_vmo/s400/IMG_0270.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adela Mei - Co-founder of Indigo Expeditions</td></tr>
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Both Rowland and Adela are passionate about wildlife and wildlife conservation - particularly reptiles and amphibians. Rowland is an expert herpetologist who spends much of his time working in the field in Guatemala while Adela fronts the UK office running their social media and trip logistics. They operate regular volunteer conservation based <a href="https://explorewithindigo.com/expeditions/" target="_blank">expeditions</a> and <a href="https://explorewithindigo.com/nature-tours/" target="_blank">nature tours</a>, which anyone can participate in. All are based in Guatemala, a country they have both taken to their hearts.</div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>Indigo's Projects</b></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">Indigo's primary interest is the conservation of biodiversity, particularly the reptile & amphibian groups of Guatemala. The scope of their work currently includes two main projects:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><b>The Lost Frogs of Alta Verapaz</b></span><span lang="EN-US"> - Working with Community Cloud Forest Conservation, Indigo Expeditions promotes the conservation of amphibian biodiversity in the highlands of Guatemala, a hotspot of amphibian endemism. The flagship species <i>Plectrohyla teuchestes</i> is endemic to the Xucaneb mountains of Alta Verapaz. Listed as Critically Endangered, its survival is threatened by habitat loss and disease. #indigofrogs<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="ES-TRAD">Estació</span><span lang="DE">n Biol</span><span lang="ES-TRAD">ógica el Banco</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> - Working with Asociaci</span><span lang="ES-TRAD">ó</span><span lang="EN-US">n Fundaselva de Guatemala, Indigo Expeditions has initiated an exciting sea turtle conservation project on the Pacific Coast. Collaborating with the community of El Banco at the tortugario or turtle sanctuary, research includes monitoring populations of olive ridley sea turtles, as well as green sea turtles and leatherback sea turtles in this area of the Pacific coast of Guatemala. </span><span lang="PT">#elbanco</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Speaking to Rowland a few days ago he had some great news about their turtle project:<br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><i>"In 2020 there have been approximately 6000 Olive Ridley turtles released by Tortugario el Banco, which is a record year!"</i></span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKt5EDKoquxpPUsJv6ZDT4sYT5rDW-innKDWH30kWWdibfr1KFD1dhV2oFujFF2U3Miumsag0JSLnGE_Qq5zuve9DS4AwpZu2FqBzae9-u8Tg0OTBCWsE5uZFiJZGRFMGVJQy0SHw4ek0/s1600/DSC_0220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKt5EDKoquxpPUsJv6ZDT4sYT5rDW-innKDWH30kWWdibfr1KFD1dhV2oFujFF2U3Miumsag0JSLnGE_Qq5zuve9DS4AwpZu2FqBzae9-u8Tg0OTBCWsE5uZFiJZGRFMGVJQy0SHw4ek0/s400/DSC_0220.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"We provide training with a focus on ethical<br />
and respectful survey and monitoring protocols".</td></tr>
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<b>So how did Indigo get started?</b><br />
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<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #741b47;">"I started working in Guatemala in 2013 under the name Project Chicchan, then as Adela became more and more involved we decided to rebrand to Indigo Expeditions in 2015. For me Guatemala is such an incredibly diverse country. Not just in terms of wildlife but also landscapes and culture. Because of its small size you can go from desert to cloud forest in just a few hours, it's breathtaking! But most of all it's the hearts of the people, their friendliness and warmth, even to complete strangers. Oh, and they have the best avocados in the world!"</span></i></blockquote>
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<i><span style="color: #741b47;">Rowland Griffin </span></i></blockquote>
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Reptiles and amphibians may be Rowland's passion but he's also a good all-round wildlife guy and is more than happy to point out birds and mammals seen on his expeditions too. When asked about his favourite reptile, I can tell it's a struggle for him to name just one...<br />
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<i><span style="color: #741b47;">"I never tire of finding reptiles and amphibians in the wild and picking my favourites would be very tricky. I once said that my favourite snake was the one I had just found. But I really love encountering yellow-blotched palm pitvipers (often called Rax K'aj, which translates as green lightening). They are such calm and wonderful beings to sit with and watch, I find that exhilarating you know. Being able to sit within a few meters of a wild animal and just watch it go about it's business without disturbing it."</span></i></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWUzA35CbLqMqzKHBP4GuwLiPGTsjL0fNn-OWVAdZnVYMaxfSDOmlxGK8D02L1HaYkhCfiJcmlzadjfoEB6Y3z3IXuP8Ec5wPGr486NoGzrsa0u6HcbFG9hMXZuLGJ7gNKwWkXLr-V00/s1600/Rowland-800-600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWUzA35CbLqMqzKHBP4GuwLiPGTsjL0fNn-OWVAdZnVYMaxfSDOmlxGK8D02L1HaYkhCfiJcmlzadjfoEB6Y3z3IXuP8Ec5wPGr486NoGzrsa0u6HcbFG9hMXZuLGJ7gNKwWkXLr-V00/s400/Rowland-800-600.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rowland with a 'Rax K'aj'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoWQa67nLWGC2LQBcksKD3TWcA1U0SDzmcuW7ArSWLbPvjExzQYbI59i0dzzIbF3rvrOqUE0BlSfwGSWR7kizC1FfcbHV6Ycl8cjqBYI_-HxNemw3yw_YgbQjOBKGPM3a-iKqSeRUnmQ/s1600/Rowland_Andres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1001" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoWQa67nLWGC2LQBcksKD3TWcA1U0SDzmcuW7ArSWLbPvjExzQYbI59i0dzzIbF3rvrOqUE0BlSfwGSWR7kizC1FfcbHV6Ycl8cjqBYI_-HxNemw3yw_YgbQjOBKGPM3a-iKqSeRUnmQ/s400/Rowland_Andres.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rowland (left) with Guatemalan herper<br />
Andres Novales holding a Green Iguana</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoauN8ck8LukQX7L1WfnsHMJoLGUtLGSOHxwGY16hyphenhyphenILHNIhpdisYu4gbDyPKlrCq-t2ZfPlH07rB76J8QlMJO3_XBnLINFkP8UpsXnY-JPtASUHQlkL7s1J8OlOiY5nusvfHJ2CFOMZw/s1600/2020+On+location+with+Nigel+credit+Andres+Novales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoauN8ck8LukQX7L1WfnsHMJoLGUtLGSOHxwGY16hyphenhyphenILHNIhpdisYu4gbDyPKlrCq-t2ZfPlH07rB76J8QlMJO3_XBnLINFkP8UpsXnY-JPtASUHQlkL7s1J8OlOiY5nusvfHJ2CFOMZw/s400/2020+On+location+with+Nigel+credit+Andres+Novales.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left to right:<br />
Andres Novales, Rowland Griffin and Nigel Marven</td></tr>
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Keep your eye's peeled for the release of <b>Wild Guatemala with Nigel Marven</b> this year, where you can see Rowland in action.<br />
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I can't recommend Indigo enough. Whether it's for your first trip to Guatemala or a repeat visit you should really check out their range of volunteer conservation activities and trips - you will get no better introduction (or warmer welcome) to this wonderful country.<br />
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You can follow Indigo on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/exploreindigo" target="_blank">@exploreindigo</a>) and both Facebook and Instagram (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/explorewithindigo/" target="_blank">@explorewithindigo</a>) or contact Adela to book your next adventurous holiday to Guatemala on info@explorewithindigo.com.rharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010076940674472737.post-20707923846622581242020-02-19T12:36:00.003+00:002020-02-24T18:23:15.107+00:00The Panama Canal...The Canopy Tower would be our base to explore the Panama Canal and surrounding area, a richly diverse region on the edge of Soberania National Park. The Canal itself is an amazing construction and we were privileged to have special access to the canal-side at Miraflores Locks, an area not open to the public.<br />
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Unfortunately this was the one place I wasn't allowed to film with the drone. The risk from terrorism to this vital artery connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, is so real that nobody is allowed to fly in the Canal Zone. Perfectly understandable as the canal is the 'World's Greatest Shortcut', saving an 6,500 km journey around Cape Horn. It's also extremely important to the Panamanian economy bringing in millions of dollars each year in transit fees.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkv312vb1BGK5AUtO1UJGaSpad2mW93pjLNEgxH4uvzcEEmp3oHuJEOvr2d5-Dly5uYWhdRJ08bCc0apCWbuM_4PeE67a3wD5cFwzX26LTklIvs-thdqd_0dt11dRN-LMEi2FfjOg6NE/s1600/20191211_081504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkv312vb1BGK5AUtO1UJGaSpad2mW93pjLNEgxH4uvzcEEmp3oHuJEOvr2d5-Dly5uYWhdRJ08bCc0apCWbuM_4PeE67a3wD5cFwzX26LTklIvs-thdqd_0dt11dRN-LMEi2FfjOg6NE/s400/20191211_081504.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The locks at Miraflores</td></tr>
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Miraflores Locks are just one of six locks on the Canal and they are constantly busy, usually with a queue of ships waiting their turn to transit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlM7d_D__1XgFaZA2NRNXHIs-6NOsEiWDK8ZGqFjDG2S5A_Iq3tiXcGYyNqi8uZNI5H8yjVUZIwP235Y9Y6oyy8abyUaYUcqSGL3qbQlJAtnhfzBSs3M3jWOqwPBHUOnD0nZNFWyFDAJY/s1600/20191211_081530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlM7d_D__1XgFaZA2NRNXHIs-6NOsEiWDK8ZGqFjDG2S5A_Iq3tiXcGYyNqi8uZNI5H8yjVUZIwP235Y9Y6oyy8abyUaYUcqSGL3qbQlJAtnhfzBSs3M3jWOqwPBHUOnD0nZNFWyFDAJY/s400/20191211_081530.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Our visit had been timed to coincide with a large<br />
cruise ship transit...and there it is!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbS13gQwyIataYgE_FhWAQOioolHMyG9vzt_dRkONu8n0qQ3BeOm3Ipze1eHu5UpwGN3pkO4QhrM7JrB-Pupx_fOZZ3Y2Idu8ucFwNgJ0W69TxP42CUYNpSsKJ5G5U1k0GSvm1GZ2leM/s1600/20191211_085513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbS13gQwyIataYgE_FhWAQOioolHMyG9vzt_dRkONu8n0qQ3BeOm3Ipze1eHu5UpwGN3pkO4QhrM7JrB-Pupx_fOZZ3Y2Idu8ucFwNgJ0W69TxP42CUYNpSsKJ5G5U1k0GSvm1GZ2leM/s400/20191211_085513.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Tight fit!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHISYD9sSFZHuRyH_hGLLzZ8ycKB8ioRsugLSO9GkKAUlrmHqCp5AeHjLBoXmFckotu74HuHEQGHmc-zgBgTJvENGUo4DTFMImYlT87mJk2SvJ0GuhYt03Z9fJAIQUQA67-nnK4sHNNY/s1600/DSCN4491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHISYD9sSFZHuRyH_hGLLzZ8ycKB8ioRsugLSO9GkKAUlrmHqCp5AeHjLBoXmFckotu74HuHEQGHmc-zgBgTJvENGUo4DTFMImYlT87mJk2SvJ0GuhYt03Z9fJAIQUQA67-nnK4sHNNY/s400/DSCN4491.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Mike capturing all the action</td></tr>
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There's very little room for error when going through the lock. This ship had about 3 ft of space on either side to spare! The small rack-and-pinion locomotive engines on either side of the ship known as mules, help guide the massive boat through the lock to the canal beyond.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhlTuX1spziQmrHmkFelsu63F7vE2dTOtkoE7lws10VtZHHqO95lRnvHigCgC_ypvtW3g97qQcHS4CZEhsXRv0pwwV6VXazV7wxOEmA2MjUhLQbWd1FTpn5L7RgGIFYqAShGwwO25aLk/s1600/mule2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhlTuX1spziQmrHmkFelsu63F7vE2dTOtkoE7lws10VtZHHqO95lRnvHigCgC_ypvtW3g97qQcHS4CZEhsXRv0pwwV6VXazV7wxOEmA2MjUhLQbWd1FTpn5L7RgGIFYqAShGwwO25aLk/s400/mule2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A 'mule' towing the cruise ship through the lock.</td></tr>
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The Canal is also home to plenty of animals. Because the Panama Canal is so important to the economy, it's watershed is a protected area, which is great for the many species that reply on it.</div>
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Overhead Royal Terns, Magnificent Frigatebirds and Laughing Gulls catch my attention while closer to the water there are magnificent reptiles too.<br />
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American Crocodiles are relatively common along the length of the canal and are the most widespread species of croc in the Americas ranging from southern Florida and Mexico south as far as Venezuela and Peru. They are big too, growing up to nearly 14 ft they can be very dangerous animals.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8z4awm6_1LwQoFXdEUwvKAhYRELPnwYIEgNT2uKABuM-sL-dUaPDhk8zwJhKS_bPPHWBOUf566j_6GEg4k_trOt4_vOmbzSA1-T_Pvd0QGksBczzPUA3qTkuiAtywc7W4r3BfByO1blo/s1600/Am+Croc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8z4awm6_1LwQoFXdEUwvKAhYRELPnwYIEgNT2uKABuM-sL-dUaPDhk8zwJhKS_bPPHWBOUf566j_6GEg4k_trOt4_vOmbzSA1-T_Pvd0QGksBczzPUA3qTkuiAtywc7W4r3BfByO1blo/s400/Am+Croc.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A large Central American Croc, <i>Crocodylas acutus</i> rests<br />
on the side of the Canal</td></tr>
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Gray-breasted Martins are by far the most common species of <i>Progne</i> in Panama (and much of Central and South America). They are hefty birds, not unlike Purple Martin...just not as pretty.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPAtPnQ3vlRdDvWnLK17XnWj1SE3OJIhDWGBh2YR5YB885uF1sSomWbAW3EdF_nlI8nvuxmJBdLYq3kVrIOz1VHGhLAkhv4gbmKFn-Uyens3poYp57FSoOSb1EbjL2yBGrOjyBjmgjc0/s1600/GCM2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1600" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPAtPnQ3vlRdDvWnLK17XnWj1SE3OJIhDWGBh2YR5YB885uF1sSomWbAW3EdF_nlI8nvuxmJBdLYq3kVrIOz1VHGhLAkhv4gbmKFn-Uyens3poYp57FSoOSb1EbjL2yBGrOjyBjmgjc0/s400/GCM2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Gray-breasted Martins - the 'default' hirundine in Panama.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21nz_rW6YRtzPvzi7hVB5Kr-jFhev9RYIYXvdtLG_btmXEznOz7k1c5O5THVFEcJLAtHWVBwJZOdgB97QJnKw5UFhCJ2EpLaFGGs7cPIOZgXgZioBNTXAYB-vIXZXgyqib5b50-xkTdw/s1600/LG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="939" data-original-width="1500" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21nz_rW6YRtzPvzi7hVB5Kr-jFhev9RYIYXvdtLG_btmXEznOz7k1c5O5THVFEcJLAtHWVBwJZOdgB97QJnKw5UFhCJ2EpLaFGGs7cPIOZgXgZioBNTXAYB-vIXZXgyqib5b50-xkTdw/s400/LG.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Laughing Gull, second winter - adults have all white-tipped primaries</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRe6h_FOzlNMm_rb6gGo2b2fdACjBG1sgP3x-1vMK4C7t65j5Sy0W9TGe-ZNPjCCiOgkxdvmbkiQ6YkpcTpyC1Zm1WDpczWGNwaPaAD0cR-iLVouA1NRUKgIYkk1BgGH65Lv4t6QygrYg/s1600/MF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="965" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRe6h_FOzlNMm_rb6gGo2b2fdACjBG1sgP3x-1vMK4C7t65j5Sy0W9TGe-ZNPjCCiOgkxdvmbkiQ6YkpcTpyC1Zm1WDpczWGNwaPaAD0cR-iLVouA1NRUKgIYkk1BgGH65Lv4t6QygrYg/s400/MF.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Magnificent Frigatebird, immature female.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Two-fingered Sloth is larger than its three-fingered cousin and although they vary a little bit in colour, they are normally this lovely chocolate brown, including their eyes. Because they spend their life hanging in the trees their fur grows in the opposite direction to other mammals - from the belly down, so that rain sheds easily off their coat.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq01ngtL2QXycE4xvxHVhEmNKT3Hu-H2AF_4vn_pk7Y5Bk87SyhV7Q6Wgqe77WrIjwC7ntiKW5D3P89SPhaBgBgyDIYugtkSPlSho_MUGHSkunTHgf2n7zT3LRafLC04TQx-w0aWtP6Bg/s1600/TFS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq01ngtL2QXycE4xvxHVhEmNKT3Hu-H2AF_4vn_pk7Y5Bk87SyhV7Q6Wgqe77WrIjwC7ntiKW5D3P89SPhaBgBgyDIYugtkSPlSho_MUGHSkunTHgf2n7zT3LRafLC04TQx-w0aWtP6Bg/s400/TFS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hoffman's Two-fingered Sloth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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On the way back to the dock we passed this enormous floating crane called 'Titan'. It is famous in it's own right (it has a page in Wikipedia), having been built in Germany during the Second World War to manoeuvre U-boats. From Germany it travelled to Long Beach Naval Shipyard in California before coming to serve on the Panama Canal in 1996.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYEe-t8rwkSwduUHZvE2WaxxzISOy2qeVVVYMk1mGlk6pJzEQOU2yImIGuA_nwk3m3F0WZiqNzLB1mkpf8VBZDJ0bfaRR2r54zItSrKuOu5pedlYiE1BvB7RcpvqYYyj8QnNpeJHgSFA/s1600/20191209_165112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="1600" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYEe-t8rwkSwduUHZvE2WaxxzISOy2qeVVVYMk1mGlk6pJzEQOU2yImIGuA_nwk3m3F0WZiqNzLB1mkpf8VBZDJ0bfaRR2r54zItSrKuOu5pedlYiE1BvB7RcpvqYYyj8QnNpeJHgSFA/s400/20191209_165112.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Titan aka 'Herman the German'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We got back to the Tower at sunset, grabbed a quick bite to eat and set out again. That night we were filming with a group of bat researchers from the Smithsonian Institute and we were in for a treat. First up was this amazing Trichops cirrhosus or Fring-lipped Bat. They have appeared a few times on documentaries as they specialise in catching frogs! Theses amazing bats pick out their prey by their call - they can even discriminate between poisonous and non-poisonous species. Remarkably this is only the second one ever caught here by the team, one of 70 species found within the canal basin.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_9Z6pmLYZXwaPcnYB-A_sxQdloZAPbEpo-rj0Um_E1f_wyVkTrb1MCGguN-MmKPXMmxxZNoEQv5XPtvb46MzC0oNngDNSdkKKJ-Qq_uk1Hvc3nhp9vV-VYotMVIQvynEzRrdhLFJ26A/s1600/20191207_195659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_9Z6pmLYZXwaPcnYB-A_sxQdloZAPbEpo-rj0Um_E1f_wyVkTrb1MCGguN-MmKPXMmxxZNoEQv5XPtvb46MzC0oNngDNSdkKKJ-Qq_uk1Hvc3nhp9vV-VYotMVIQvynEzRrdhLFJ26A/s400/20191207_195659.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Trachops cirrhosus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next, a Common Moustached Bat, <i>Pteronotus parnellii</i> ... These are insectivorous eating mostly beetles.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF7N6fY3RMlvn6bk73lLcHbVzd9bXF8IWsYi8YgbOAq5VnUVjwaSnoshDpZZ3M65cwHMFHDdpjjLJTvSPcmGcP2Oi2Q1hCdAfVw7B4_mnr7UqAp9bqkdikE1GccZZRs4vc3q3zga1VcZs/s1600/20191207_202948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF7N6fY3RMlvn6bk73lLcHbVzd9bXF8IWsYi8YgbOAq5VnUVjwaSnoshDpZZ3M65cwHMFHDdpjjLJTvSPcmGcP2Oi2Q1hCdAfVw7B4_mnr7UqAp9bqkdikE1GccZZRs4vc3q3zga1VcZs/s400/20191207_202948.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Common Moustached Bat, <i>Pteronotus parnellii</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Not to be left out a Jamaican Fruit Bat, <i>Artebius jamaicensis</i> is released by Amanda, one of the researchers, and immediately returns to settle on her head! They are found throughout the neotropics and into South America and have a fondness for figs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXl3c4RSGelq4KDPsqBdMJ5oI1Rn8BMAAiY8f3ZSP7FxQF8JsghPVzypc6uAmHvekPLb_6xXf7PjkofbuIfNyHK8DLd4KGv80YWRivxNlVAZCgh44DzJisEIB_SE1ghvdHB61NEL9CN1Q/s1600/20191207_211359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXl3c4RSGelq4KDPsqBdMJ5oI1Rn8BMAAiY8f3ZSP7FxQF8JsghPVzypc6uAmHvekPLb_6xXf7PjkofbuIfNyHK8DLd4KGv80YWRivxNlVAZCgh44DzJisEIB_SE1ghvdHB61NEL9CN1Q/s400/20191207_211359.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Jamaican Fruit Bat, <i>Artebius jamaicensis</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The following day we would be leaving the Canopy Tower to film wildlife in and around Panama City. </div>
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rharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010076940674472737.post-66640619653159781922020-02-15T08:54:00.000+00:002020-02-26T09:08:23.061+00:00Panama - return to Canopy Tower...We were getting towards the end of our filming trip in Panama and returned once more to the Canopy Tower for a few more days before heading into Panama City itself. There were still some great birds to be seen, my favourite being this shy Crimson-crested Woodpecker.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYo3cqh9ugSQE5FUuUqtg0-4DLSm-64sAkgd4iv_5zSETor5957kWic_9dkmMrlcshw4fGTdIPkouB7PwjpLGoTsgwaqZ2-AJimTFa31iX8cHiz-avgcpo8h_ALzNKjQR2o6JHthwic6c/s1600/CCW1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1219" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYo3cqh9ugSQE5FUuUqtg0-4DLSm-64sAkgd4iv_5zSETor5957kWic_9dkmMrlcshw4fGTdIPkouB7PwjpLGoTsgwaqZ2-AJimTFa31iX8cHiz-avgcpo8h_ALzNKjQR2o6JHthwic6c/s400/CCW1.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crimson-crested Woodpecker</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZVslyPwaCi0qBOOvvGEwdrfnt_csr1bMeda9ttRuBTYGEqHwhVUghiOV-DgRO6KEjbb_6c3bufeY-7XQpWrGU_DPKDsm0vcG1JkGmcEXYFmboVaiJfUmc7zQOVqV1H1ATr8gh0jSZYk/s1600/CCW3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1057" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZVslyPwaCi0qBOOvvGEwdrfnt_csr1bMeda9ttRuBTYGEqHwhVUghiOV-DgRO6KEjbb_6c3bufeY-7XQpWrGU_DPKDsm0vcG1JkGmcEXYFmboVaiJfUmc7zQOVqV1H1ATr8gh0jSZYk/s400/CCW3.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A large, rather stunning woodpecker</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLS1lKPD-GxgjKRSSXJ9bmbwdl-gXtckjtd3Qsu52AyczkrweSL59itTpyzk5SaT92w83vhfUYGWEikXiDFO54qMlLV6hcpJ_URH3TmO-ILOWDrA3UP9zAyIvIK7U4T5pWZjj7ibAyMPU/s1600/CCW4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1433" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLS1lKPD-GxgjKRSSXJ9bmbwdl-gXtckjtd3Qsu52AyczkrweSL59itTpyzk5SaT92w83vhfUYGWEikXiDFO54qMlLV6hcpJ_URH3TmO-ILOWDrA3UP9zAyIvIK7U4T5pWZjj7ibAyMPU/s400/CCW4.jpg" width="357" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crimson-crested Woodpecker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They are very weary birds and this one never came very close. They are found from Panama south to Paraguay - sadly their numbers are declining.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ut47HnQTn2O937jax1J3oYcgq2b7wvDrDq0fvaoobDonKl5go6bZk4MhH12BdMaXnJIqTxh0rZBFGg_EhJFQfC-56WOTUhs7NShAZuVP1AxlopN4Xlq0_feCER6xZjU_28DlHt54N2U/s1600/BC1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1027" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ut47HnQTn2O937jax1J3oYcgq2b7wvDrDq0fvaoobDonKl5go6bZk4MhH12BdMaXnJIqTxh0rZBFGg_EhJFQfC-56WOTUhs7NShAZuVP1AxlopN4Xlq0_feCER6xZjU_28DlHt54N2U/s400/BC1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Cotinga - a magnificent bird!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBCZy_JhIzgI3QtQ9p2ZSwJyWutUa4-QhNiqhhDE54EVJSfqkuVcnLtrGBRMvFcAd_aydctexrGUxPMCcKeQYz5u3Qd_znAMCxcw5uWHqpyaEwW7mcvIzp0rjAhLRf8Yd2GAktV2s6Ng/s1600/BC3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBCZy_JhIzgI3QtQ9p2ZSwJyWutUa4-QhNiqhhDE54EVJSfqkuVcnLtrGBRMvFcAd_aydctexrGUxPMCcKeQYz5u3Qd_znAMCxcw5uWHqpyaEwW7mcvIzp0rjAhLRf8Yd2GAktV2s6Ng/s400/BC3.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Cotinga</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQ6PRAXlycQtP6nHSG-sigW56QKswRIw30_VQynMfBZoaxD2hGPt4wJ7w89BYS0a4OCfLACi7mfCKvrV8mAA5oStMN-AbeUbBfUVQTZt-bJ55Hp52sVIXppR85BlqNkLDHWqk6pqwjS0/s1600/BD2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="1600" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQ6PRAXlycQtP6nHSG-sigW56QKswRIw30_VQynMfBZoaxD2hGPt4wJ7w89BYS0a4OCfLACi7mfCKvrV8mAA5oStMN-AbeUbBfUVQTZt-bJ55Hp52sVIXppR85BlqNkLDHWqk6pqwjS0/s400/BD2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Dachnis, female</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9h-xIGNIzXfyCAmnI_8qRlAttSGOgoETCLBhbtUCI_FaWvZwD8Q_VfO-dQ0b-OjLKVxJcW-VSXxgTKTdwXMyrylHGUpdbYQ7SrNpCd40wg2-SUNNq2djuESL1EN4xa11ziBMHcOU6qxw/s1600/PCF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9h-xIGNIzXfyCAmnI_8qRlAttSGOgoETCLBhbtUCI_FaWvZwD8Q_VfO-dQ0b-OjLKVxJcW-VSXxgTKTdwXMyrylHGUpdbYQ7SrNpCd40wg2-SUNNq2djuESL1EN4xa11ziBMHcOU6qxw/s400/PCF.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple-crowned Fairy.<br />
They have a very distinctive bill, even from a distance.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwIvAM5Mavwr6O6vm6cHUKbpmAASrjedPXGdMZf-1n9JoQwuGZ21EQGcroydnSPcY8_dUgELuZoakRcHqCdRO4AKylS4kOJvDc9NBl4mh8ormbn30F2IQ4zIwm__N0dQ6rH9Ov1U0P-Q/s1600/PCT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwIvAM5Mavwr6O6vm6cHUKbpmAASrjedPXGdMZf-1n9JoQwuGZ21EQGcroydnSPcY8_dUgELuZoakRcHqCdRO4AKylS4kOJvDc9NBl4mh8ormbn30F2IQ4zIwm__N0dQ6rH9Ov1U0P-Q/s400/PCT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plain-colored Tanager</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bukIMzIhUftU55GYo_9c0UqHyECAn98BToaVNuMrOwvHQvG6hK5IjkGFvIw17vgkRpYG5PuNaf0FV7LF3MjhxdCieKqroyqShC8cHMHnYaa-_DDX1-WXpdV2-0NmDHkSokXbc6LNhIw/s1600/PT2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bukIMzIhUftU55GYo_9c0UqHyECAn98BToaVNuMrOwvHQvG6hK5IjkGFvIw17vgkRpYG5PuNaf0FV7LF3MjhxdCieKqroyqShC8cHMHnYaa-_DDX1-WXpdV2-0NmDHkSokXbc6LNhIw/s400/PT2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palm Tanager</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFvONzleWhCfRjHKzlFgD9BWQjCtiZ5L3oWWKlmfQbD8PNG3yophSncqx6UBT74Rak2Qq9y9c5dkcvMXjhV6drCCZk8yFAKC16TATR-6rnd_YaOI9nhHgLqayHnCznjRnTI8sWhwMxYA/s1600/PT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1517" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFvONzleWhCfRjHKzlFgD9BWQjCtiZ5L3oWWKlmfQbD8PNG3yophSncqx6UBT74Rak2Qq9y9c5dkcvMXjhV6drCCZk8yFAKC16TATR-6rnd_YaOI9nhHgLqayHnCznjRnTI8sWhwMxYA/s400/PT.jpg" width="378" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palm Tanager</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1q4r-2mdFpqxCGhGUP8D5Q0Dt2HbzxoXaZ7x5Z8Emtgo86uu2tRyRtPumqmMCeRnDpNDq-m60XuMwwoh8st481hSWTYJj5spZ71h-2YHmxtFkOg9t_oGqjkuT11FyuvkLHJBbOHsjjI/s1600/TW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1003" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1q4r-2mdFpqxCGhGUP8D5Q0Dt2HbzxoXaZ7x5Z8Emtgo86uu2tRyRtPumqmMCeRnDpNDq-m60XuMwwoh8st481hSWTYJj5spZ71h-2YHmxtFkOg9t_oGqjkuT11FyuvkLHJBbOHsjjI/s400/TW.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tennessee Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The moth light was worth staying up for too. The sheer number and variety of species was simply staggering. Some species looked similar to families found here in the UK while others are like nothing I've ever seen before. This is just a small selection of the species on the sheet...a nice way to end our stay here.<br />
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rharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010076940674472737.post-73522605778816479742020-02-11T10:25:00.001+00:002020-02-26T09:11:41.521+00:00Drone Work...I thought it was about time I shared some of the drone filming I've been doing over the last year, so I've put together a short show-reel compressing some of the highlights into a minute long film!<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4OB2slUwr5g" width="560"></iframe>
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Wild Costa Rica, Wild Guatemala and Wild Panama will be released later this year.<br />
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I'm available for hire (aerial filming or photographs) so do get in touch if I can assist with your project.<br />
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Rogerrharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010076940674472737.post-59120925182152433362020-02-09T16:06:00.001+00:002020-03-12T07:46:41.638+00:00Panama...Canopy LodgeThe Canopy Lodge is a high-end eco-lodge situated a few hours west of the Canopy Tower. Our aim here was to film some of the localised amphibians, reptiles and birds that are found in this old volcanic region. The Lodge sits in beautiful gardens and is home to a great selection of birds.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtddUetADNacJ2WJMDalwzUUI4BzK3ZYIraciYyrTHVixpB7wGP0gJsa_Lid95DRCwIGEuiP5Hhk1R-y2VrR7MYsMMgGVjVgYGBdOyoFRDaLSuYyWbZtioFisk_1CUzeLPcTq2CDzAoFM/s1600/FBT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1301" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtddUetADNacJ2WJMDalwzUUI4BzK3ZYIraciYyrTHVixpB7wGP0gJsa_Lid95DRCwIGEuiP5Hhk1R-y2VrR7MYsMMgGVjVgYGBdOyoFRDaLSuYyWbZtioFisk_1CUzeLPcTq2CDzAoFM/s400/FBT.jpg" width="325" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crimson-backed Tanager, male</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZg5Gt9r4DGIYAtvJoR5a5JukIQh6yKQ4d4hLqnJJ6jA2nN4XzZytnW27dfqBLlPRv3GncV5833i7TvlaIMpUp2AnDQz_Sqx4Nik5GRCNOZmH8O-xwD7eHG5eJ_o18iXyf6lA_k5MPNso/s1600/FBT2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1202" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZg5Gt9r4DGIYAtvJoR5a5JukIQh6yKQ4d4hLqnJJ6jA2nN4XzZytnW27dfqBLlPRv3GncV5833i7TvlaIMpUp2AnDQz_Sqx4Nik5GRCNOZmH8O-xwD7eHG5eJ_o18iXyf6lA_k5MPNso/s400/FBT2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crimson-backed Tanager, female</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEykc5WYw-yo2vQSv8FKhJBLoPfaLIuunSgLCDA5mM5aLttZ4qZziXKYX80f0vwH54DmxZ4QbjJVczF465FHoWZKsa7Hh-JvZ7aO0wff1ZTc2_wZwOXOS1I8Y23lKE6lKoEE4sT-Udpp0/s1600/FVE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="1600" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEykc5WYw-yo2vQSv8FKhJBLoPfaLIuunSgLCDA5mM5aLttZ4qZziXKYX80f0vwH54DmxZ4QbjJVczF465FHoWZKsa7Hh-JvZ7aO0wff1ZTc2_wZwOXOS1I8Y23lKE6lKoEE4sT-Udpp0/s400/FVE.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fulvous-vented Euphonia</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLUdEsA5TSZ2o765E7EhLgbG52KmQxP7Wk19MZe_D-6s8qJ1CblR3YQrGqcg0VqEkuti4PmJdrBn-TzA3d4rodXtV7r6H9cSdSW_EwtcYISucavoqPvRG9ZSXHPkVz4Ed3ejvgVufmPE/s1600/GCF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1031" data-original-width="1600" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLUdEsA5TSZ2o765E7EhLgbG52KmQxP7Wk19MZe_D-6s8qJ1CblR3YQrGqcg0VqEkuti4PmJdrBn-TzA3d4rodXtV7r6H9cSdSW_EwtcYISucavoqPvRG9ZSXHPkVz4Ed3ejvgVufmPE/s400/GCF.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey-capped Flycatcher</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZDxBKg5VwkRZbxoDYuWFjy5qrr2-6kukgnC6siAAcHD4aJ4bCT1zKD-YpWAvRx_D461wad1UERWovBEM66gv_btPjevDWlT5JGaf2h97r181IRMVV-KxGyPFk19hGYvSTmGMKb_YVL8/s1600/GH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZDxBKg5VwkRZbxoDYuWFjy5qrr2-6kukgnC6siAAcHD4aJ4bCT1zKD-YpWAvRx_D461wad1UERWovBEM66gv_btPjevDWlT5JGaf2h97r181IRMVV-KxGyPFk19hGYvSTmGMKb_YVL8/s400/GH.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Honeycreeper, male</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ahcjsMO8lymMd6_qgIg5LppbcmjAq26gQdqdtwkD6UTJz4vYnnMIvSUz1ss-FM_nhO14RGF2VG_t3J-S5zZaw6lWhf0XAld3EFIUnLFqinydK7a0yeQ-_KCwZovrjggoLCvR8QBmgXQ/s1600/RCW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="953" data-original-width="1500" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ahcjsMO8lymMd6_qgIg5LppbcmjAq26gQdqdtwkD6UTJz4vYnnMIvSUz1ss-FM_nhO14RGF2VG_t3J-S5zZaw6lWhf0XAld3EFIUnLFqinydK7a0yeQ-_KCwZovrjggoLCvR8QBmgXQ/s400/RCW2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rufous-capped Warbler after a quick bath</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDYRtgN3vBc8rMQiWk1QddlxjVLcTilXuHRnSJD0t5-lBEKdVLvIKVNc152mRRovJGqTRbg-3QHLV3OvDGXAlt9oMoJUAUsjTvaL4svzQrW1aqUaga5YDw9nGufhtHKYibd_GV5DBEUM/s1600/RWW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="965" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDYRtgN3vBc8rMQiWk1QddlxjVLcTilXuHRnSJD0t5-lBEKdVLvIKVNc152mRRovJGqTRbg-3QHLV3OvDGXAlt9oMoJUAUsjTvaL4svzQrW1aqUaga5YDw9nGufhtHKYibd_GV5DBEUM/s400/RWW2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rufous-and-white Wren</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XSJwOsWpeZ5W0LgI9aeZ0NC23Y0PsbdP2x1UiANipM02ccYdlYSwQQ220dA9QB7tsxC4aY3AfnQKBN7xVb56Mzj7nyrUrBg3_PL_DfMTmI42uifTUgfMy97OQUDdd9rug0-_sG3-2LU/s1600/ST4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1299" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XSJwOsWpeZ5W0LgI9aeZ0NC23Y0PsbdP2x1UiANipM02ccYdlYSwQQ220dA9QB7tsxC4aY3AfnQKBN7xVb56Mzj7nyrUrBg3_PL_DfMTmI42uifTUgfMy97OQUDdd9rug0-_sG3-2LU/s400/ST4.jpg" width="323" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Tanager</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFf-c38LEY0pbEM4UvjWlGkRiuaFl9P_eo1SC_0BvHccEoqElkHKChxc0frZU6I4fMkmlXuXR-LQsV6QyGL4kJSN7tAqdpoME3lYPeNXv97-RsAmxv8jEm7LrdWua0RAa2wytoiRtvs4/s1600/ST5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="1500" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFf-c38LEY0pbEM4UvjWlGkRiuaFl9P_eo1SC_0BvHccEoqElkHKChxc0frZU6I4fMkmlXuXR-LQsV6QyGL4kJSN7tAqdpoME3lYPeNXv97-RsAmxv8jEm7LrdWua0RAa2wytoiRtvs4/s400/ST5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Tanager</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAIpvSu_kpLCNtFOl50whEYSbb0G8bcaH-qEF3Hj5ABI3_HVFaruKKnl_2Rd5pbwXjuw8VoebvnhG8hPOE5XrcNm75mYxll5TRKNeOWgNqiEUanYI2KUYp9ZAneUiupmRn7rIhwhytMg/s1600/ST6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1212" data-original-width="1500" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAIpvSu_kpLCNtFOl50whEYSbb0G8bcaH-qEF3Hj5ABI3_HVFaruKKnl_2Rd5pbwXjuw8VoebvnhG8hPOE5XrcNm75mYxll5TRKNeOWgNqiEUanYI2KUYp9ZAneUiupmRn7rIhwhytMg/s400/ST6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Tanager...they were very common</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5A-HtuMAV755a6um7CuTMQYFdc_F1q3R7hayvmzSlhj-YQ5XRlWStgJpCIFRdty83gV1BepwxYry4rs8X2_yyu-PijCDZFs3bORG-SDcs9_L5sedRznjC0_tpOp8JQsD3AUvEkyacJxk/s1600/CSW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1500" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5A-HtuMAV755a6um7CuTMQYFdc_F1q3R7hayvmzSlhj-YQ5XRlWStgJpCIFRdty83gV1BepwxYry4rs8X2_yyu-PijCDZFs3bORG-SDcs9_L5sedRznjC0_tpOp8JQsD3AUvEkyacJxk/s400/CSW2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chestnut-sided Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHL5SGGmDjqUwA9jgXWYw6_tjEV2doIoW2ji2P5BXu7VQxqTIg38ZyDCJhlKSznztemyUkNuIv7XrVdQKlu1SeX-UGKkxVlUBxLOQJYAxWmtXwrMQst9ztaVpfCHfGrIlN12tWthpyoc/s1600/DFT2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1500" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHL5SGGmDjqUwA9jgXWYw6_tjEV2doIoW2ji2P5BXu7VQxqTIg38ZyDCJhlKSznztemyUkNuIv7XrVdQKlu1SeX-UGKkxVlUBxLOQJYAxWmtXwrMQst9ztaVpfCHfGrIlN12tWthpyoc/s400/DFT2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dusky-faced Tanager</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1H0YvM3HqNzCRKkXB_Z1rjjJTCdA3YYSx4fkEEjOKby2I7LKqEpGzG3D3GYXviadZcqQKbCgoDXEWR1W8UowWPZD82XP2ZuYC-j-OE0ji4liRQHwqndN9szSBnfUxvz-AVnFldTAUuI/s1600/DFT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1500" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1H0YvM3HqNzCRKkXB_Z1rjjJTCdA3YYSx4fkEEjOKby2I7LKqEpGzG3D3GYXviadZcqQKbCgoDXEWR1W8UowWPZD82XP2ZuYC-j-OE0ji4liRQHwqndN9szSBnfUxvz-AVnFldTAUuI/s400/DFT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dusky-faced Tanager</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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That night we filmed in the grounds of the lodge with local herpetologist Mario Urriola. We found some great creatures around their pond, which was just ringing out with the sounds of frogs.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxuprlykNs65uDLs4HcbCVHEfWy4swcVwECSFohmGohl8nbezucJJ4a86ksSMRSXQECiZevKW9g1SxtKWFyapy0syvFWeL4eIiJGSl6wA8e-ihuOC5HCGPpRI5D0VOiUHNFGKU1KgoQ4/s1600/FWC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1483" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxuprlykNs65uDLs4HcbCVHEfWy4swcVwECSFohmGohl8nbezucJJ4a86ksSMRSXQECiZevKW9g1SxtKWFyapy0syvFWeL4eIiJGSl6wA8e-ihuOC5HCGPpRI5D0VOiUHNFGKU1KgoQ4/s400/FWC.jpg" width="370" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tiny freshwater crab.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2g4v6KGldfoHrDg2jOAqbCqgLzCyhEAS4fPbReBjG4O98nbiy9ltJnKB-LqVx85jBF1s4UZh5w8NWNvIXB5L80aMFB0zzjkd8ooeyblFzD1wSUJRoLazaDFN4JOo870FMp9J1vNzQULU/s1600/CATB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2g4v6KGldfoHrDg2jOAqbCqgLzCyhEAS4fPbReBjG4O98nbiy9ltJnKB-LqVx85jBF1s4UZh5w8NWNvIXB5L80aMFB0zzjkd8ooeyblFzD1wSUJRoLazaDFN4JOo870FMp9J1vNzQULU/s400/CATB.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mario, Nigel and a rather nice Central American Tree boa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkxgyp-rjeYv-AlP6B_2bauM5R0vdnRYI9FKbexTGZQwsh6cF8c2vrUrGPo2KfXiWw0SA7EOJxL2dOrhKUHhpWjStskDntWmaYxMJAgVLBq3K3MAfk-1oqdiy2lDIDTef0BSUBzOg32k/s1600/PNTF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1185" data-original-width="1600" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkxgyp-rjeYv-AlP6B_2bauM5R0vdnRYI9FKbexTGZQwsh6cF8c2vrUrGPo2KfXiWw0SA7EOJxL2dOrhKUHhpWjStskDntWmaYxMJAgVLBq3K3MAfk-1oqdiy2lDIDTef0BSUBzOg32k/s400/PNTF.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snub-nosed or Panamanian Cross-banded Tree Frog<br />
<i>Smilisca sila</i>, female</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb32plFIp5f6aHEXG0W2Dc0xSjUutz4co2OvuOJMgIWgzK-KXxWEYRy1QhsNBFiIvycHPtZATo26cOc2_j9D9sGNJ0gv9e1JO2UuwXHOXARgctN3CKS8X-BvLcg2whOS-McwT1HVFzAx8/s1600/RTT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1194" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb32plFIp5f6aHEXG0W2Dc0xSjUutz4co2OvuOJMgIWgzK-KXxWEYRy1QhsNBFiIvycHPtZATo26cOc2_j9D9sGNJ0gv9e1JO2UuwXHOXARgctN3CKS8X-BvLcg2whOS-McwT1HVFzAx8/s400/RTT.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-webbed Tree Frog, <i>Hypsiboas rufitelus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Neither of these species are particularly uncommon but the next day went to meet a very special frog. Now considered extinct in the wild, we get to meet the critically endangered Panamanian Golden Frog (<i>Atelopus zeteki</i>) at a centre set up to study and save them.<br />
<br />
These amazing frogs (actually classified as 'true toads') were once common along Panama's rivers and streams but were decimated by Chytrid Fungus and presumed extinct in the wild since 2007. Like many tropical frogs and toads they are capable of secreting a water soluble neurotoxin as a defense against predators. Edgardo Griffith and his partner have devoted their working life to studying and captive breeding the species in the hope that they can one day release a chytrid resistant gene pool of the frogs back into the wild.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMYqpX9y5qiibK3LfxNEKHY9RR8Jup7USkpD_NLhwX49tUUgZH_smOuL_brbBVhjQ4hpyHNHv3Tm6QnCoQyXXIUu0Dp96SK9b4fJg686WtaQvTBK373leOLIMGFRdaIcXCYKb2yYpPt0/s1600/GF1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1600" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMYqpX9y5qiibK3LfxNEKHY9RR8Jup7USkpD_NLhwX49tUUgZH_smOuL_brbBVhjQ4hpyHNHv3Tm6QnCoQyXXIUu0Dp96SK9b4fJg686WtaQvTBK373leOLIMGFRdaIcXCYKb2yYpPt0/s400/GF1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An extremely rare Golden Frog <i>Atelopus zeteki</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCuglEScYwxVdS4xRMWBVLHNSKCEPoBOaw4KLRYILLp1DiltJId-ZvgtgoI8g2GhyphenhyphenJ2GeRkkXHjEWgXnGy_kzwL2uk1pGNyQnZYIJDdZIMkYhLNtFm5ytPNx70_d-DfDueh765GOBqvc/s1600/GF2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1267" data-original-width="1600" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCuglEScYwxVdS4xRMWBVLHNSKCEPoBOaw4KLRYILLp1DiltJId-ZvgtgoI8g2GhyphenhyphenJ2GeRkkXHjEWgXnGy_kzwL2uk1pGNyQnZYIJDdZIMkYhLNtFm5ytPNx70_d-DfDueh765GOBqvc/s400/GF2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panamanian Golden Frog</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next day we headed back to the Canopy Tower.rharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010076940674472737.post-83916771757035452702020-01-31T20:22:00.003+00:002020-02-23T18:41:28.179+00:00Panama...Canopy TowerWe were half way through our trip and heading west, back along the Pan-American Highway. Back towards Panama City and on to the <a href="https://www.canopytower.com/" target="_blank">Canopy Family</a>'s next property, the <a href="https://www.canopytower.com/canopy-tower/" target="_blank">Canopy Tower</a> where Carlos is Head Guide. We made a couple of stops en route to get some drone shots of the van travelling along the highway and once more at Avicar aka 'The Hummingbird Cafe'.<br />
<br />
After five hours, we finally arrive. The Tower is an old disused US military radar tower overlooking the Panama Canal. Built in the 1960's it was turned into a unique eco-lodge in 1997 and is situated in the stunning Soberania National Park.<br />
<br />
The colour scheme (turquoise blue, maroon, yellow) is special too. The designer who came up with the colour scheme based it on the colours found on one of the local residents, the Keel-billed Toucan!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMDRnQ8vxcbxV1TQOnyk8ABTScBFu8lmOwnUEzmty2XVke7ZUBH35KW7dMvTUe56MJtAUr5GZzKr7uoSMEEr2l0me6xmZbNhQ6J9VXlhY2oftPL3U_uRaGZK4dBhTtI0uMREj6EBlZWE/s1600/DJI_0068.DNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMDRnQ8vxcbxV1TQOnyk8ABTScBFu8lmOwnUEzmty2XVke7ZUBH35KW7dMvTUe56MJtAUr5GZzKr7uoSMEEr2l0me6xmZbNhQ6J9VXlhY2oftPL3U_uRaGZK4dBhTtI0uMREj6EBlZWE/s400/DJI_0068.DNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Canopy Tower - a birder's dream</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwBgESqxPgFZUvHGIHCrRjxiqkQFPs2bg9Z2zh7cy_kq6ujj-dC0LXlPOwkjRw-X9XGFbIUutopm_1QWCnwHnUYQJVY7HPnqMcytrKlF80b4orH2BKRxj9mV1ZQYhWN0yRLg0fckd4WQ/s1600/20191209_144721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwBgESqxPgFZUvHGIHCrRjxiqkQFPs2bg9Z2zh7cy_kq6ujj-dC0LXlPOwkjRw-X9XGFbIUutopm_1QWCnwHnUYQJVY7HPnqMcytrKlF80b4orH2BKRxj9mV1ZQYhWN0yRLg0fckd4WQ/s400/20191209_144721.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The colours inside and out are all found<br />
on the Keel-billed Toucan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
From the top of the Tower you are at eye level with the trees giving incredible views of birds and mammals as you would never normally see them. Below the viewing deck is a comfy relaxation area and the restaurant, below that, the rooms, it's just incredible. A few birds before breakfast...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFaSW4soD3qPzkfta1QHsIJ6xh5tON4ASFxlHsgW_fgiWB-MONYVaL7e7gxqIZiADhQrahmgY6U4NyMpEAI0hVGXonzg3dHrUwVzCKZbHfxqj0F-CQxTibnXye3tN4bg_XgQovAI8A2yk/s1600/BBW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1500" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFaSW4soD3qPzkfta1QHsIJ6xh5tON4ASFxlHsgW_fgiWB-MONYVaL7e7gxqIZiADhQrahmgY6U4NyMpEAI0hVGXonzg3dHrUwVzCKZbHfxqj0F-CQxTibnXye3tN4bg_XgQovAI8A2yk/s400/BBW2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bay-breasted Warblers are by far the most<br />
frequently seen warbler at the Tower.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEA7RbwGF4H6Z0t4TBL13QRKWxQJyoTUQ7wsBZfb4_23hYPSoyq4RG55JTcTzxaUF7SzNV5Yrn90Bd8D0B6FKhx2OozBnRRD_XUTxJIt450AKQdwWbGzu_1JdYxcv5zYNacPZ91NxJ6k/s1600/BBW3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1500" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEA7RbwGF4H6Z0t4TBL13QRKWxQJyoTUQ7wsBZfb4_23hYPSoyq4RG55JTcTzxaUF7SzNV5Yrn90Bd8D0B6FKhx2OozBnRRD_XUTxJIt450AKQdwWbGzu_1JdYxcv5zYNacPZ91NxJ6k/s400/BBW3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another one, they were moving through all the time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVFTjCMwSV372npoU6W6kdMc_rr48xsqXMkac4mSHuq1AAXhmLUaEbdq7koSgY4ItPxFP0z-TbAKM25ers8lbEGTb5k1VpfV-yJIsdwoNjois7MbzjtxRqffaBwofh3lA9kRfW2-swSo/s1600/BBW4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1500" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVFTjCMwSV372npoU6W6kdMc_rr48xsqXMkac4mSHuq1AAXhmLUaEbdq7koSgY4ItPxFP0z-TbAKM25ers8lbEGTb5k1VpfV-yJIsdwoNjois7MbzjtxRqffaBwofh3lA9kRfW2-swSo/s400/BBW4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wouldn't mind seeing one of these in the UK</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzYLxUug3i9e6Xs41G-CCxTwl-nrVSa54qKwJqtioy5xjwRBciJVF7maRgphFCUenCoFuIBicPOwZWKFSkqLbsJvfk792TixzWTxRsyRiL3AHxMTRf0_c6RA0E3fyZEuB04CDBa4hFkg/s1600/CB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1600" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzYLxUug3i9e6Xs41G-CCxTwl-nrVSa54qKwJqtioy5xjwRBciJVF7maRgphFCUenCoFuIBicPOwZWKFSkqLbsJvfk792TixzWTxRsyRiL3AHxMTRf0_c6RA0E3fyZEuB04CDBa4hFkg/s400/CB.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinnamon Becard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMfKXrRWTwDnICGGIRMiz2iK8DNBlQH0qdMCYkJj1E-O9dRzRXMXirhPLBomtPvbPK0WAj7NrtddtkgxuT09VNFOIC8LQAFLAPsdp8RvrQccDtGav2CyNyDTIwUTCXdi5SNNvI14Y29A/s1600/ScT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="1500" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMfKXrRWTwDnICGGIRMiz2iK8DNBlQH0qdMCYkJj1E-O9dRzRXMXirhPLBomtPvbPK0WAj7NrtddtkgxuT09VNFOIC8LQAFLAPsdp8RvrQccDtGav2CyNyDTIwUTCXdi5SNNvI14Y29A/s400/ScT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet Tanager, male in winter attire.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHoYZo8XmBECtMK_YfMX7aI6_TM8N0zIbXJrYoYmjG7ACjNZFGDlyAc9PGMNKmz5Zm9tF9gtSlL8y9Uk-I4zx71oiJnltIApkFbj7dbww13eV7DiFnOyCuXw2pXfTrfIyklt8cYSTSls/s1600/SH2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHoYZo8XmBECtMK_YfMX7aI6_TM8N0zIbXJrYoYmjG7ACjNZFGDlyAc9PGMNKmz5Zm9tF9gtSlL8y9Uk-I4zx71oiJnltIApkFbj7dbww13eV7DiFnOyCuXw2pXfTrfIyklt8cYSTSls/s400/SH2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shining Honeycreeper, female</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82aAxhAKNq54KiT0-KnpBK-ktCKLAW1GQ9qgAIyOtV9uZ4bkdkOzNLwp7odGS7bmGbgdzL6em90IEe5pqf8N7JY2p-J59vbRnrGmAk0fXUYV6JEMXkUWRximAZM-nalt7pieHf_cWHzA/s1600/SH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82aAxhAKNq54KiT0-KnpBK-ktCKLAW1GQ9qgAIyOtV9uZ4bkdkOzNLwp7odGS7bmGbgdzL6em90IEe5pqf8N7JY2p-J59vbRnrGmAk0fXUYV6JEMXkUWRximAZM-nalt7pieHf_cWHzA/s400/SH.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Shining Honeycreeper, female</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUatW7SD2U1YnPlq5itsOH3MUDnneXyuCjA0HrzVPjZy314SqSG88Xboe37PzepwXLhMWkIkduRhkFK5Rx0vyoM6OZ3bPQy_U2glE89BICfNv_zXfeY-qhwEtW3PTX8LK4kUEIJ80bR_g/s1600/TW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="1600" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUatW7SD2U1YnPlq5itsOH3MUDnneXyuCjA0HrzVPjZy314SqSG88Xboe37PzepwXLhMWkIkduRhkFK5Rx0vyoM6OZ3bPQy_U2glE89BICfNv_zXfeY-qhwEtW3PTX8LK4kUEIJ80bR_g/s400/TW2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tennessee Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our goal on this day was to head out along the Pipeline road. The Pipeline Road was constructed by the US army during the 1960's as a fuel pipeline but was never used. Nowadays the original construction track that runs alongside the pipeline, extends for 17 km into Soberania National Park and is one of the best birding spots in Panama.<br />
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The sharp ears of Carlos Bethancourt soon located our target filming bird, the Red-capped Manakin...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXblOKHO2kMDtD3beu_CKXOwwZSK9-2Wz8ZWF8eWSw3NNCL4nmUAnlC_TvvNZpYapQQ4GwE38U8bh2HW743-wHsL7S-XMkLEAFwm0GNIEKiG8Poa8fprLmlLKhLsm3Be5LrrWXwz9JRGc/s1600/RHM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1600" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXblOKHO2kMDtD3beu_CKXOwwZSK9-2Wz8ZWF8eWSw3NNCL4nmUAnlC_TvvNZpYapQQ4GwE38U8bh2HW743-wHsL7S-XMkLEAFwm0GNIEKiG8Poa8fprLmlLKhLsm3Be5LrrWXwz9JRGc/s400/RHM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-capped Manakin, male</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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These stunning birds have the most incredible dance to attract the attention of females. Likened to the moonwalk, this one attracted two female Red-capped and a Blue-capped Manakin. He was also joined on the 'dance branch' by a juvenile male, which looks exactly like a female except for its yellowish thighs.<br />
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The scene was soon upset though, the birds vanished but then Carlos discovered why - he'd found a Slaty-backed Forest Falcon sitting a few meters further back in the jungle.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGZPS9wJjV_kVa7RCRXYuPUMtQdlydWpFSNwKmJB6C3hHVUv422j1BJICNrxPlrwwg-taIJfd3O4x9MCDnMcxKEaPtr5CGI5UOsycz-4kDnDTTyu0hUHnvPy8Ri3RtVQd0wBJKGyQEco/s1600/SBFF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1234" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGZPS9wJjV_kVa7RCRXYuPUMtQdlydWpFSNwKmJB6C3hHVUv422j1BJICNrxPlrwwg-taIJfd3O4x9MCDnMcxKEaPtr5CGI5UOsycz-4kDnDTTyu0hUHnvPy8Ri3RtVQd0wBJKGyQEco/s400/SBFF.jpg" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slaty-backed Forest Falcon<br />
Rarest of the forest falcons in Panama</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After getting the footage we needed, we moved on to our next filming subject, army ants! Army ants are quite common along the pipeline road and the quickest, easiest way to locate them is to keep your ears open for their followers, antbirds.<br />
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We soon found exactly what we had been looking for and with the ants, came the birds.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRCNW9ezcPQc6r-2to1Q2Y8cM3LJ07C8t17pz4hr9r79xY7RkdiZHdnCl3Bp8rHlw8Ij_4r4NkwpwKsBb8k9-KtRkdj5W9_EklHYqFPk_XzCrD1egJUGewqZtXEF73nwRBO2tNxfKz_E/s1600/SA1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="1500" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRCNW9ezcPQc6r-2to1Q2Y8cM3LJ07C8t17pz4hr9r79xY7RkdiZHdnCl3Bp8rHlw8Ij_4r4NkwpwKsBb8k9-KtRkdj5W9_EklHYqFPk_XzCrD1egJUGewqZtXEF73nwRBO2tNxfKz_E/s400/SA1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Antbird - definitely my favourite, so smart!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUlE_6kXJacw2zbkmIFD4D4MWNBlZwip3ED40r9yKlDkhVuYaVONSm2rPzBAFF-VcxlrlqwSPZScn6joggyGGT2CzsnVur65ZLdZLp_C96v77zBXFI9yQhPb9A5HB8sRCbeKDUNjV6Rk/s1600/SA2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUlE_6kXJacw2zbkmIFD4D4MWNBlZwip3ED40r9yKlDkhVuYaVONSm2rPzBAFF-VcxlrlqwSPZScn6joggyGGT2CzsnVur65ZLdZLp_C96v77zBXFI9yQhPb9A5HB8sRCbeKDUNjV6Rk/s400/SA2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Antbird, male</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vVvSMYCHsC4pS9KLKrbeXVflOFwCia90R3n7U4-evdxIczR0tmC2zIeQZYwn7ZZaYpKhnQbztMFbFa69TEs3YxDNkXSxUcfJ2GXGbdJc-HJWA74amgZZDByUm20GzsBmwBNQBQEUbrQ/s1600/SA3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="1600" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vVvSMYCHsC4pS9KLKrbeXVflOFwCia90R3n7U4-evdxIczR0tmC2zIeQZYwn7ZZaYpKhnQbztMFbFa69TEs3YxDNkXSxUcfJ2GXGbdJc-HJWA74amgZZDByUm20GzsBmwBNQBQEUbrQ/s400/SA3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Antbird, male</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Antbirds don't actually eat the ants but rather the insects that move away from the army ant swarm. As such, they stay low and very close to the swarm and often in good numbers. The ant swarm we were filming was being trailed by 2-3 Bi-coloured Antbirds, a pair of Spotted Antbirds and at least two Ocellated Antbirds with their stunning blue facial skin.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOug4rhxGl2w1kDfJC221GTDzDKiYl4MCcjQxpX47heoFkkZOCDl9vc2r2iGdKWoHID0ObxwSUc6PvVRtEInxrVDyc4LKFA4PUX466K-cL3rKuGBDttozkVbp9RK4Apj3dERAFt510EE/s1600/OA1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOug4rhxGl2w1kDfJC221GTDzDKiYl4MCcjQxpX47heoFkkZOCDl9vc2r2iGdKWoHID0ObxwSUc6PvVRtEInxrVDyc4LKFA4PUX466K-cL3rKuGBDttozkVbp9RK4Apj3dERAFt510EE/s400/OA1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ocellated Antbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvC6g4JcMl60n110ZG5wUy964zPnKpqQHU1wjpcie6Y0Yz6s_WnF_FITBtY7OLo73TxSMaH4U7iRYsdRi1Lo3_lBnkdb8p4FqGupUidPoywbeFrsoR9Xa96DRSrHaGuyx-bLECDtY9cQ/s1600/OA2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1500" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvC6g4JcMl60n110ZG5wUy964zPnKpqQHU1wjpcie6Y0Yz6s_WnF_FITBtY7OLo73TxSMaH4U7iRYsdRi1Lo3_lBnkdb8p4FqGupUidPoywbeFrsoR9Xa96DRSrHaGuyx-bLECDtY9cQ/s400/OA2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Ocellated Antbird</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hX8FoDvb4ONsy5DIWOCI9_JCBCd-Amvet_nguLUYDFSo7bui-N4qFiMVvS77fyQyH_IM9kmcL-X1bepJERSNsIAm78euoagU5XKsM17uyO9ZqQbgr7ht671eYwk7IQzVUV6_VUMPbGE/s1600/OA3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1500" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hX8FoDvb4ONsy5DIWOCI9_JCBCd-Amvet_nguLUYDFSo7bui-N4qFiMVvS77fyQyH_IM9kmcL-X1bepJERSNsIAm78euoagU5XKsM17uyO9ZqQbgr7ht671eYwk7IQzVUV6_VUMPbGE/s400/OA3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Ocellated Antbird</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Antbirds weren't the only birds following the swarm though. Greay-headed Tanagers were also taking advantage of the feast along with Plain Brown and Northern Barred Woodcreepers.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiXEcM8-AWdFVsY7E9ZhMHjQOa5JpGD695YL-Z15M1ZbNIXyWfEHL7NBTlZeyL3x-w9ksVgOlgQDKM8B9ctR7FNzzzh3vkSXkjLai1qtNLU99LZzBBkmDdJU3EgiHT1n_lbP0pW-IY38/s1600/DSCN4136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1514" data-original-width="1600" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiXEcM8-AWdFVsY7E9ZhMHjQOa5JpGD695YL-Z15M1ZbNIXyWfEHL7NBTlZeyL3x-w9ksVgOlgQDKM8B9ctR7FNzzzh3vkSXkjLai1qtNLU99LZzBBkmDdJU3EgiHT1n_lbP0pW-IY38/s400/DSCN4136.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey-headed Tanager</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4KzIAXfUNOHau80whwV7wp1Mr6pzPD6gZdORwOIJ_S-zazv65Svh-6zx3dkXAK9XRVjJ9vSrfvynKJPw2iRc7FOq2V7sWM7ZPnh_I5dC-Q6bsrtDfy7SpTrqdcW5I7FEtGZLJxmyBns/s1600/PBW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1079" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4KzIAXfUNOHau80whwV7wp1Mr6pzPD6gZdORwOIJ_S-zazv65Svh-6zx3dkXAK9XRVjJ9vSrfvynKJPw2iRc7FOq2V7sWM7ZPnh_I5dC-Q6bsrtDfy7SpTrqdcW5I7FEtGZLJxmyBns/s400/PBW.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plain-brown Woodcreeper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Filming over for the morning, it was back to Canopy Tower to pack and prep to move to our next location, the Canopy Lodge.<br />
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rharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010076940674472737.post-68664834143600915242020-01-28T21:33:00.001+00:002020-01-29T19:17:53.404+00:00Panama...boats and birds.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We were half way through our trip and into our last day or two at Canopy Camp. This morning we were on a quest to see a very scarce bird in Panama - and, unsurprisingly, it involved another boat trip. After a 45-minute drive we reached our departure point - a UNICEF camp by the Chucunaque River! I couldn't quite believe we were driving through a refugee camp, surrounded by people who had made the dangerous journey from Colombia, through the Darien to Panama. All were living in either white tents or ramshackle wooden huts. Getting out in the middle of this makeshift 'town' with tens-of-thousands of pounds worth of equipment seemed wrong. These poor people had nothing!<br />
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After a short time to reflect, we had to leave and meet our boat driver down by the river.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaR44MRclylpYySqKqEEeYDi07LDFWFMunXOZJIaQUJkUbASsMBJwQIjymXfs90ZkE0Gjz0_NN2Vjb8JhIks0fzkFyQjD3aRnufnMPtNtV6phujt7bnsWFeQ7rwz_9TNB07erio2W71k/s1600/20191204_100520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaR44MRclylpYySqKqEEeYDi07LDFWFMunXOZJIaQUJkUbASsMBJwQIjymXfs90ZkE0Gjz0_NN2Vjb8JhIks0fzkFyQjD3aRnufnMPtNtV6phujt7bnsWFeQ7rwz_9TNB07erio2W71k/s400/20191204_100520.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nigel and Mike find 'our' dugout for the journey ahead.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzdsA6YvJjdRTWpiOIGmodHkeHSjULyhPOWrKEO6AUwJL47tHap5vp9WVwR4rwdj34Nbw-Bk8LT3no3MXKdBss6M-n6h-n3Kmq_XoGwWFADV7HpGT3P-pKt3CpYl1p1_VBVCZXacBaEU/s1600/20191204_100933_014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzdsA6YvJjdRTWpiOIGmodHkeHSjULyhPOWrKEO6AUwJL47tHap5vp9WVwR4rwdj34Nbw-Bk8LT3no3MXKdBss6M-n6h-n3Kmq_XoGwWFADV7HpGT3P-pKt3CpYl1p1_VBVCZXacBaEU/s400/20191204_100933_014.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now, to get out from between the other boat...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzvuic2OaD-qUMmkGrh_c5R4KsRXJyDwrT0qvYmGejB4EUefRpQ-vuNJ17TLh7MBOOsNxx0tyKr6xxlr51LYdl5BA0CaOS8iM4_ZEBQ7_c4zSiBwq2yH9rcITsO87fFXmcxZUj6OxV9U/s1600/20191204_100947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzvuic2OaD-qUMmkGrh_c5R4KsRXJyDwrT0qvYmGejB4EUefRpQ-vuNJ17TLh7MBOOsNxx0tyKr6xxlr51LYdl5BA0CaOS8iM4_ZEBQ7_c4zSiBwq2yH9rcITsO87fFXmcxZUj6OxV9U/s400/20191204_100947.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're away at last...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EatG2BhrRyjpYwaKwJ6FS9TGJgvhDGs5YXhU5vQRiZrm703iB_Iqfy2aUclQU6hsPhjB_nPyl5KwPSmStMEcDF0OI8owgMX2J97E-FpbPe7yFH32WDb6385b8hvf5V_VOG-wDBoDO5E/s1600/20191204_121429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EatG2BhrRyjpYwaKwJ6FS9TGJgvhDGs5YXhU5vQRiZrm703iB_Iqfy2aUclQU6hsPhjB_nPyl5KwPSmStMEcDF0OI8owgMX2J97E-FpbPe7yFH32WDb6385b8hvf5V_VOG-wDBoDO5E/s400/20191204_121429.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And it's another 45 minutes along the murky waters of the Chucunaque.</td></tr>
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The river (apart from being muddy) was remarkably clean. No litter, no bottles - heartwarming to see after our visit in May when it was strewn with plastic bottles. It was also rich in birds - Southern Lapwing, Amazon, Green and Ringed Kingfishers, Cocoi, Striated, Great Blue, Little Blue and Green Herons as well as Snowy Egrets. It was alive with birds!<br />
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As we reached our stop on the river bank, it soon became obvious it was going to be a VERY muddy walk up the river bank and into the banana plantation for the bird we'd come to see. But it didn't take long to find, the incredible little Dusky-backed Jacamar. A pair in fact.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJb_ko5PdQ6hrWTPqtO-WmTuKir6QSf6qDCW_9mbSi1qczF5vFNUJZxSKtwKitn9G_7XnS3ou1BiA0iB2bX5se4RSr3Vt2CvBEAJfJEzJIuEmMWBMsiARB6ky8bvKRvedbjDGkGyuiczk/s1600/DBJ2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1340" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJb_ko5PdQ6hrWTPqtO-WmTuKir6QSf6qDCW_9mbSi1qczF5vFNUJZxSKtwKitn9G_7XnS3ou1BiA0iB2bX5se4RSr3Vt2CvBEAJfJEzJIuEmMWBMsiARB6ky8bvKRvedbjDGkGyuiczk/s400/DBJ2.jpg" width="333" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a bill!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDi0SuXXJ3zjJ-IOpUbKjrq17Dc1P5drVtwg47aQNEo0OkaIy1KEfL11ixm-M-pEY67HlUYwWHxzQyxngHcGpzPSVbPbLUkzeJtQmV0E6naQKuqkarX5SJVxSJx8t1ZNIWnGlnDhDqHBI/s1600/DBJ5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDi0SuXXJ3zjJ-IOpUbKjrq17Dc1P5drVtwg47aQNEo0OkaIy1KEfL11ixm-M-pEY67HlUYwWHxzQyxngHcGpzPSVbPbLUkzeJtQmV0E6naQKuqkarX5SJVxSJx8t1ZNIWnGlnDhDqHBI/s400/DBJ5.jpg" width="383" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They stayed in the treetops but the Nikon P1000<br />
still managed to get a shot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKMT9FS4WMBUGekTB5vPOrilIxiMyC3uhxeVZAAwJdveIJCw_8UE6RmlRC4jYeQAXpdeRQgQ2lvx9y04FHFvF8QAXNci1gqb6_1AnptCWWCF2DlplwZLUuxWkIEOn36VggTyVwJApzug/s1600/DBJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1278" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKMT9FS4WMBUGekTB5vPOrilIxiMyC3uhxeVZAAwJdveIJCw_8UE6RmlRC4jYeQAXpdeRQgQ2lvx9y04FHFvF8QAXNci1gqb6_1AnptCWWCF2DlplwZLUuxWkIEOn36VggTyVwJApzug/s400/DBJ.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super little birds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Carlos also found us another nice bird, a Spectacled Parrolet. At just 12 cm long it'smaller than a Budgie!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNy-zjaHAYBimJP00fznXHfq27WdCtgkZykog2r0HTysPTAPYEkUXZVNHyKWD3RAZP4-ApyPps-WvuO_DaXcRGLyq9GsLkxBAVnvKoPTE-PfCtGqX4OSZqi0vyjbAeQm5ngep6qRstunc/s1600/SP2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1320" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNy-zjaHAYBimJP00fznXHfq27WdCtgkZykog2r0HTysPTAPYEkUXZVNHyKWD3RAZP4-ApyPps-WvuO_DaXcRGLyq9GsLkxBAVnvKoPTE-PfCtGqX4OSZqi0vyjbAeQm5ngep6qRstunc/s400/SP2.jpg" width="328" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spectacled Parrolet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnAQWY1UO0QsC79ebAVylxyGGh2Nprkvxf7L9daibUH4z2hHICBwhyphenhyphenP87NSTyQgW9teKannHZ0AoIBM3ImU2Vb6Hi38e4hYlybXQ3f7S8kEtCiaQ4O4p40IUkeVayQ3HNXrDAmGtBT-I/s1600/SP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1334" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnAQWY1UO0QsC79ebAVylxyGGh2Nprkvxf7L9daibUH4z2hHICBwhyphenhyphenP87NSTyQgW9teKannHZ0AoIBM3ImU2Vb6Hi38e4hYlybXQ3f7S8kEtCiaQ4O4p40IUkeVayQ3HNXrDAmGtBT-I/s400/SP.jpg" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spectacled Parrolet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
Satisfied we'd seen our target bird we headed back to the boat and back to the Canopy Camp.<br />
<br />
This cool lizard was scampering around the Camp, a Rainbow Ameiva, <i>Holcosus undulatus</i>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtfS8ny_bBtpn5asgKgoaFp8wXvpaIjcGreA7K7sraROOEhbjpW16C232jOU-808Q-ej9X3IUEli4bLPDcpXL4wiEO1tXQptnFqeuYlF9mZMx1i_gqk4fPjDBNYc2hN7B8Fclduk0UgQ/s1600/Rainbow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1301" data-original-width="1600" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtfS8ny_bBtpn5asgKgoaFp8wXvpaIjcGreA7K7sraROOEhbjpW16C232jOU-808Q-ej9X3IUEli4bLPDcpXL4wiEO1tXQptnFqeuYlF9mZMx1i_gqk4fPjDBNYc2hN7B8Fclduk0UgQ/s400/Rainbow.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow Ameiva</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSy8BDiot1LfxE6PgzL-APGrvAN9UG9Ms8MXmYKAtBHyO9uYf4Fn1gVvSGhIkn19WbHryH0Cp6RMTdEBqsxoU-0rN-2nUp6Ts84-ikkbNomcnt_UIZ2zrC3YgyOkAQ_CmUoAQwRFoOJ_4/s1600/CHO1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSy8BDiot1LfxE6PgzL-APGrvAN9UG9Ms8MXmYKAtBHyO9uYf4Fn1gVvSGhIkn19WbHryH0Cp6RMTdEBqsxoU-0rN-2nUp6Ts84-ikkbNomcnt_UIZ2zrC3YgyOkAQ_CmUoAQwRFoOJ_4/s400/CHO1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chestnut_headed Oropendola</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNKlqqOxSu1KUz_-5JZkG6Q7hW-vIFJU8Y0LupvR-HIPF_fRFBlpn1d6vEvec0eUJviOaP6t1lpEE-te_SP8AwPJS2AMI7kAVQMLVe2X6jWzyN39E3iKSsJM29IwzngsHnsjlablG8HE/s1600/SCB1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="883" data-original-width="1500" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNKlqqOxSu1KUz_-5JZkG6Q7hW-vIFJU8Y0LupvR-HIPF_fRFBlpn1d6vEvec0eUJviOaP6t1lpEE-te_SP8AwPJS2AMI7kAVQMLVe2X6jWzyN39E3iKSsJM29IwzngsHnsjlablG8HE/s400/SCB1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spot-crowned Barbet, female</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOUZy69azcZwrayNe4Qirc75oIqkvlaUlEHzh-nNFx5PxjJ5nsh_juS6kfRKPyHQd4rcWm7O7pcrM-gHozmaLYiJlxHJXV-vkFzCC_GoHG1KsknznejHx_gC4nFNdYGLOawXARoHsvBo/s1600/STB2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1500" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOUZy69azcZwrayNe4Qirc75oIqkvlaUlEHzh-nNFx5PxjJ5nsh_juS6kfRKPyHQd4rcWm7O7pcrM-gHozmaLYiJlxHJXV-vkFzCC_GoHG1KsknznejHx_gC4nFNdYGLOawXARoHsvBo/s400/STB2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spot-crowned Barbet, male</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That evening after dinner I was just heading into the accommodation when I noticed some eyes glinting in the head torch. A closer look revealed this enormous wandering spider. Not sure which species but I was sure I didn't want to take a bite from those fangs.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2hFitS_ZSE2HYYaXPmrGYlZNyRG6NhuJ53Wtdyvyv7HoZdbngMt34XZ5OmKWN4LKLDOHeKpnFw46mW2IRLxYOhZAMya0iMv0RGQFJtXYZ6cpxnuhLd_CWpM6QAG5cRuTn4-pnStK7xI/s1600/Wandering+Sp2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2hFitS_ZSE2HYYaXPmrGYlZNyRG6NhuJ53Wtdyvyv7HoZdbngMt34XZ5OmKWN4LKLDOHeKpnFw46mW2IRLxYOhZAMya0iMv0RGQFJtXYZ6cpxnuhLd_CWpM6QAG5cRuTn4-pnStK7xI/s400/Wandering+Sp2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wandering Spider Sp.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-1VGoEilWHeqeye4eFJD0tvhhqZdqZp2qADXij9W36NLzS-bt5mD92D8lSiBgi1z9KJcGVEEiMg_DqOsRfozQ0lHVgNzWU2PbbnxPNsnYwy_lpAbFG137s8A6FA8f2cNk5ocwsuYvbA/s1600/WanderSp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-1VGoEilWHeqeye4eFJD0tvhhqZdqZp2qADXij9W36NLzS-bt5mD92D8lSiBgi1z9KJcGVEEiMg_DqOsRfozQ0lHVgNzWU2PbbnxPNsnYwy_lpAbFG137s8A6FA8f2cNk5ocwsuYvbA/s400/WanderSp.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wandering Spider Sp.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Lots of little Common Rain Frogs (<i>Craugastor fitzingeri</i>) around the cabin too. These dinky little frogs could be heard calling in the dark long before you found them.</div>
<div>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNALR29cAcsjG2gQgAo_rSKSIQj_9s9gAa8hTeg7mOzb6wq_kY6zBvSuOwtU0nqyNLLuFceDx0gUL35VwL6jCn-MMAeqorv9aSMSEn86jAcPdJs3G9VesE_qgU7hE6CAU-Dxeg16e5Rdw/s1600/20191204_183452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNALR29cAcsjG2gQgAo_rSKSIQj_9s9gAa8hTeg7mOzb6wq_kY6zBvSuOwtU0nqyNLLuFceDx0gUL35VwL6jCn-MMAeqorv9aSMSEn86jAcPdJs3G9VesE_qgU7hE6CAU-Dxeg16e5Rdw/s400/20191204_183452.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Common Rain Frog, </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Craugastor fitzingeri</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3K__W1tsbVUHXtibC6GPTrjWjOx3AHMo6eJBNJTCYvHKT2M9u6WCAG9sit5JngKi9PzPQocpi73YP5xcz-xWkBZYPQgMBrDKGlscQlSw64AzD1lG6CmUP0iTF3iTpHHfDKn2JU4ZQ-U/s1600/frog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1600" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3K__W1tsbVUHXtibC6GPTrjWjOx3AHMo6eJBNJTCYvHKT2M9u6WCAG9sit5JngKi9PzPQocpi73YP5xcz-xWkBZYPQgMBrDKGlscQlSw64AzD1lG6CmUP0iTF3iTpHHfDKn2JU4ZQ-U/s400/frog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Rain Frog, <i>Craugastor fitzingeri</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Our time at the camp was over, the next morning we would be heading west, back to Panama City and the Canopy Tower just beyond.</div>
rharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010076940674472737.post-8584016906269912752020-01-20T19:37:00.003+00:002020-01-21T14:20:25.401+00:00Panama...the end of the roadAfter a good night's rest, we spend the morning filming around the Canopy Camp. This oasis in the jungle is one of the best birding spots in Panama and we have plenty to keep us busy. I found this stunning male Golden-headed Manakin, it had me lost for words. There's something about birds that are basically black with a splash of colour that I really like, whether its yellow-headed blackbird, purple-throated fruitcrow or this little ball of joy...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGkdniF0WcUrHjAqkK-JgoA1DDtim9nyIZN9grjHRfiNPf5IVH9OuSM1mQha5tH5jWSAG6brXqDSUnu0C07K_w4GB4Nw7cJ-emWzuPwDmO8EB2dN5IYUHepvAhVvPgu_IqbXf0ZLc4vw/s1600/GHM1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1081" data-original-width="1500" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGkdniF0WcUrHjAqkK-JgoA1DDtim9nyIZN9grjHRfiNPf5IVH9OuSM1mQha5tH5jWSAG6brXqDSUnu0C07K_w4GB4Nw7cJ-emWzuPwDmO8EB2dN5IYUHepvAhVvPgu_IqbXf0ZLc4vw/s400/GHM1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden-headed Manakin, male</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkQgI37QGdhCdXNVfEbbEE-5pRK8R6G493d7xKOjH0fMfOQ2XIDMVaKLuD4aL9lThZKQ9zM6OV_oHK8_5nZuackJ11okTy4e3ZC_wyRv45xfAD1MtZ41JOWHg7qJIBCCxyufHKDDdWBE/s1600/GHM2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="1500" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkQgI37QGdhCdXNVfEbbEE-5pRK8R6G493d7xKOjH0fMfOQ2XIDMVaKLuD4aL9lThZKQ9zM6OV_oHK8_5nZuackJ11okTy4e3ZC_wyRv45xfAD1MtZ41JOWHg7qJIBCCxyufHKDDdWBE/s400/GHM2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden-headed Manakin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4m7AxWdVg2XismFPtKc-KVTgxAHmx_g_Pxqo1HGMbmjzV2j2q8Qk4D83gy2ugdH_RKFBX29QeIj7KAyGTHCow2-45b55r3zhF2yKwSuMvQCR_x-dzBZAbTqOJPPTUY_Av-wPYR68iowA/s1600/GHM3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="986" data-original-width="1500" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4m7AxWdVg2XismFPtKc-KVTgxAHmx_g_Pxqo1HGMbmjzV2j2q8Qk4D83gy2ugdH_RKFBX29QeIj7KAyGTHCow2-45b55r3zhF2yKwSuMvQCR_x-dzBZAbTqOJPPTUY_Av-wPYR68iowA/s400/GHM3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden-headed Manakin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiII_VSh3ZnFHhtwpH-2Wa5kIJqgUTMd6D9mOQbVu4KkIaXoji3R_pMwgGhvcyxZusImhYq4oyg56fhLAgVaUXA3aJZk6zZKpMi-bh59nmrv5i2SdlFoJPwiVTDqn5RrZch5eN8Xc7-4/s1600/GHM4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1500" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiII_VSh3ZnFHhtwpH-2Wa5kIJqgUTMd6D9mOQbVu4KkIaXoji3R_pMwgGhvcyxZusImhYq4oyg56fhLAgVaUXA3aJZk6zZKpMi-bh59nmrv5i2SdlFoJPwiVTDqn5RrZch5eN8Xc7-4/s400/GHM4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden-headed Manakin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This Black Hawk Eagle stayed around camp for most of the time we were there. It was most often picked up by it's call but I managed to get a back-lit shot of it.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdhyRCTctJxGaKZe3s0lQ4cKOK231e4r8EuPXLzmx4pkpQsAWoOG7A7LHFS-RuSm_-VFgAza1eHK4qRcI_YFZhkptKdn2hJ0yBjAi72eCjfMtxCmaQa6K8VGVHwcScx8ffmip5S1Xt0g/s1600/BHE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1374" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdhyRCTctJxGaKZe3s0lQ4cKOK231e4r8EuPXLzmx4pkpQsAWoOG7A7LHFS-RuSm_-VFgAza1eHK4qRcI_YFZhkptKdn2hJ0yBjAi72eCjfMtxCmaQa6K8VGVHwcScx8ffmip5S1Xt0g/s400/BHE.jpg" width="342" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hawk Eagle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The starling-sized Ruddy Ground-dove is very common around the camp.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDpxfteOWJz8Bx-9u0CEOVdziDPX6yd_-OWkksf7kv93NB21y7ux7_f07VTFZxeZ7TO6f5Xr3P9Q6It_tW_tFCsNfpGnseh2HfutcYu8skNIkw8z46PkcYoqLedIu1gzxAa3QiebpdE8/s1600/RGD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1138" data-original-width="1500" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDpxfteOWJz8Bx-9u0CEOVdziDPX6yd_-OWkksf7kv93NB21y7ux7_f07VTFZxeZ7TO6f5Xr3P9Q6It_tW_tFCsNfpGnseh2HfutcYu8skNIkw8z46PkcYoqLedIu1gzxAa3QiebpdE8/s400/RGD.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruddy Ground Dove</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As are the much larger White-tailed Doves.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_31_Wy-DdBhbvCf1YUCarf95kt5xuKxj6oVH4gav4Z5Y0CeU72PRnDn_MYg0HnbSFXpRmY8-lUvMhXd7Jo6-ODwtlT8AnLK5Bil28xUfHgNWF0Z59MHj0qJaNrRigxLDimpkFeixSdw/s1600/WTD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1011" data-original-width="1500" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_31_Wy-DdBhbvCf1YUCarf95kt5xuKxj6oVH4gav4Z5Y0CeU72PRnDn_MYg0HnbSFXpRmY8-lUvMhXd7Jo6-ODwtlT8AnLK5Bil28xUfHgNWF0Z59MHj0qJaNrRigxLDimpkFeixSdw/s400/WTD.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-tipped Dove</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Hummingbirds became the main focus as we wanted to try and film some of the many species that visit the garden. Some come to the hummingbird feeders while others are strictly flower visitors. Verbena is the flower of choice, they just love it. Waiting in front of a patch of this purple flowered shrub is always productive.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIl3ifroT534I9HCOWu26EVkgy-gfgfIsWsVXR2P7-REeQpvg9kS9Ab0L4jgdiY7GDvJtVZMz6TTew_Z84L_7g2Ff8tK4Wts3saqwOvyRrzHz826LHgmg7fP1819S4BGQHTbmMaWxfVoQ/s1600/WVP2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1547" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIl3ifroT534I9HCOWu26EVkgy-gfgfIsWsVXR2P7-REeQpvg9kS9Ab0L4jgdiY7GDvJtVZMz6TTew_Z84L_7g2Ff8tK4Wts3saqwOvyRrzHz826LHgmg7fP1819S4BGQHTbmMaWxfVoQ/s400/WVP2.jpg" width="386" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-vented Plumleteer - very difficult to photograph!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTT3-yrQqbEV13PWX5CyN1jvKt-PCyoLHfQhaLXQf4a79ZxyXebImS0_tkMXKqbiL8bhu2766TMMVEzAbFNYGIfSmmKzERXhOmhEZ3ALJSxsfW09xMiC1ViDSii0oEnCFUUUfoPBYcGE/s1600/WVP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1352" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTT3-yrQqbEV13PWX5CyN1jvKt-PCyoLHfQhaLXQf4a79ZxyXebImS0_tkMXKqbiL8bhu2766TMMVEzAbFNYGIfSmmKzERXhOmhEZ3ALJSxsfW09xMiC1ViDSii0oEnCFUUUfoPBYcGE/s400/WVP.jpg" width="337" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-vented Plumleteer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhUpzZwR1eZK6uzIwp86qKrzPg1rIO2-oBUUENHTiylSI2QQWkLCCvTYkqX8PP6j0i5YFfoCKlEnYdrL_9em4VBqiRiTUsPqnD_Ga_mCaea1J6QhxBIG5-u8clJsBtfEW9mxfsKYNAMg/s1600/BCH1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1103" data-original-width="1500" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhUpzZwR1eZK6uzIwp86qKrzPg1rIO2-oBUUENHTiylSI2QQWkLCCvTYkqX8PP6j0i5YFfoCKlEnYdrL_9em4VBqiRiTUsPqnD_Ga_mCaea1J6QhxBIG5-u8clJsBtfEW9mxfsKYNAMg/s400/BCH1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue-chested Hummingbird - only visited verbena</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3emTQcpLm9vebqI0Vpty8digwPT6yersSU6rnmfptpNrMuMwJrnvBDWBubI_B6IWjVUlPD6_uTicbTGeYw2BAWzeNijqSdoSEq8oWvXeZ6SySFLWKdunP77WeOyItTO_Of4JGXeC3HV0/s1600/BCH2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="1600" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3emTQcpLm9vebqI0Vpty8digwPT6yersSU6rnmfptpNrMuMwJrnvBDWBubI_B6IWjVUlPD6_uTicbTGeYw2BAWzeNijqSdoSEq8oWvXeZ6SySFLWKdunP77WeOyItTO_Of4JGXeC3HV0/s400/BCH2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue-chested Hummingbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAyQrLhSCxoWb361Nuwo4lgKa7qlr6Whcycn8AiTI65y3M-orgbe4u3qJGcZk30MLMh0QWSQseldptIHmCNlWCujTpnVpYG74RAMjLhmr9FoS5qB0j6Uhf91zcy8BhH94wp7HZT1qkQY/s1600/LBS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAyQrLhSCxoWb361Nuwo4lgKa7qlr6Whcycn8AiTI65y3M-orgbe4u3qJGcZk30MLMh0QWSQseldptIHmCNlWCujTpnVpYG74RAMjLhmr9FoS5qB0j6Uhf91zcy8BhH94wp7HZT1qkQY/s400/LBS2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Long-billed Starthroat brightened a rainy start</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccE1-kyM25QBCjnMDVyOLv5BKQ6lPVMOTbPiVFZpFSj5xsDIJPfEZU9BbGeqIHPr-rvIlJbFF5Dy2dpwiV_DBi2cIIGsuw4Dhkhd8zbzSM88VGGqLmszweYS7w9bGZrvsLofZfDiN_2A/s1600/BCH3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1500" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccE1-kyM25QBCjnMDVyOLv5BKQ6lPVMOTbPiVFZpFSj5xsDIJPfEZU9BbGeqIHPr-rvIlJbFF5Dy2dpwiV_DBi2cIIGsuw4Dhkhd8zbzSM88VGGqLmszweYS7w9bGZrvsLofZfDiN_2A/s400/BCH3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Blue-chested Hummingbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIxNSBmwwXPBNRijRPdpi_EH2r-R0hhR5bZmyyCiWGAVLi0pyjS2T94gFZT9DIq1b88RNSMCubXsPOkKlVd8I2G7Dd3LS3mZobHgZQGp13Ut7naNv5NdFKRyGGrsB0z17HTHA9QgtSnY/s1600/BCH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1266" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIxNSBmwwXPBNRijRPdpi_EH2r-R0hhR5bZmyyCiWGAVLi0pyjS2T94gFZT9DIq1b88RNSMCubXsPOkKlVd8I2G7Dd3LS3mZobHgZQGp13Ut7naNv5NdFKRyGGrsB0z17HTHA9QgtSnY/s400/BCH.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue-chested Hummingbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Filming over for the morning, by 1 pm we'd had lunch, packed the equipment and were heading back to an indigenous village further into the Darien Gap that we'd visited in May 2019, Pijibasal.<br />
<br />
To reach Pijibasal you have to drive to Yaviza, the last town on the Pan-American Highway. Yaviza really is the end of the road. To go further into the Darien you have to take a boat along the Chucunaque river. It's a 45 minute boat journey to meet a 4x4 and another 40 minutes along a very rough dirt track before we reach the village. The Embera people who live here are very welcoming and it's great to see them again. The children flock around, especially when the drone goes up and they get to see their home from a never-before seen perspective.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnCGfJEZNXUXA10A_RJKhdyIo1lrYR_5a0KT46JEzi08c8DYAOd2jr7TrTQsHEYNp6rXXSJ4-Rgvp8-g7o4VfU2EM57JwuVyCltP_vamyzacLNFtO8HpKDfR9Oma76mGly5xgqq1Sr_c/s1600/CH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnCGfJEZNXUXA10A_RJKhdyIo1lrYR_5a0KT46JEzi08c8DYAOd2jr7TrTQsHEYNp6rXXSJ4-Rgvp8-g7o4VfU2EM57JwuVyCltP_vamyzacLNFtO8HpKDfR9Oma76mGly5xgqq1Sr_c/s400/CH.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cocoi Heron</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIUCM-wzRYAnfiBEQLEMZSJ0DxJjlXS5DHxCcCMmjKzj9QgBlIo6gtPb-Nwih177pr_F4I-b_4xM2CjzTGZGtJPdyThI9ZINVp6x_9BEUzqAhE4ulpDMuM1MGLPT2anRqOyE5I_8-e4Q/s1600/20191203_162204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIUCM-wzRYAnfiBEQLEMZSJ0DxJjlXS5DHxCcCMmjKzj9QgBlIo6gtPb-Nwih177pr_F4I-b_4xM2CjzTGZGtJPdyThI9ZINVp6x_9BEUzqAhE4ulpDMuM1MGLPT2anRqOyE5I_8-e4Q/s400/20191203_162204.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have to rely on VLOS to fly the drone<br />
as I can no longer see the monitor!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JuB1Mi8OzBgu6xl42Y1wGnQgVmglVl3rqw7Jo5Ck7qzthIv7N3SUIC95LHuDEc1HImHdPkwIzk7KbeQ_HaNMZt84FL1aSqwJXdtB1ksFIgsQqWAWPriHWTLeOr2aRDGbjiCj9bieY_4/s1600/20191203_163522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JuB1Mi8OzBgu6xl42Y1wGnQgVmglVl3rqw7Jo5Ck7qzthIv7N3SUIC95LHuDEc1HImHdPkwIzk7KbeQ_HaNMZt84FL1aSqwJXdtB1ksFIgsQqWAWPriHWTLeOr2aRDGbjiCj9bieY_4/s400/20191203_163522.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 4x4 attracts one or two followers too...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPYQ2sUwQOqKvWSNNbqWa_sanMSeOtpQUujwEpcgyw-nWh66FNGVLSEOugdUxcWXNNbvpI8HE2q1cUm5bT34iAMmcEZnGya8oefZ7PLsaiPDK7kIPYqznw7Y92_rXXDlrS3VsMr3yXFw/s1600/20191203_164444%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPYQ2sUwQOqKvWSNNbqWa_sanMSeOtpQUujwEpcgyw-nWh66FNGVLSEOugdUxcWXNNbvpI8HE2q1cUm5bT34iAMmcEZnGya8oefZ7PLsaiPDK7kIPYqznw7Y92_rXXDlrS3VsMr3yXFw/s400/20191203_164444%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Embera, one of seven indigenous groups in Panama.<br />
They inhabit The Darien and into Colombia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The footage we obtain is enough to finish where we left off back in May and by the time we leave it's getting dark. It's a rush against time as the local army outpost back by the river, can allow or deny you the right to travel as darkness approaches. This is partly for security reasons (it's possible you could bump into drug runners using the river at night - or be mistaken for them!) but mostly for your own safety as there can be submerged logs and trees in the river, which would easily sink the boat. We are very lucky and are granted permission to leave but it's a longer, slower journey in the dark and by the time we reach Yaviza, it's completely dark - we're glad to be back at the dock.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGsdMN2T5yItOspgFxSbbfNZ1rVVem2GRYimxAOmF18xbCG032LBJdizXna-6oEMmbVIeyahGZu7S4bJW6lnWeIZPjp5dqhyphenhyphen0I8Kw1X5f2Q2j1CHaQTFaqknJc-Sd_YRof2joWyUZBmo/s1600/20191203_180028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGsdMN2T5yItOspgFxSbbfNZ1rVVem2GRYimxAOmF18xbCG032LBJdizXna-6oEMmbVIeyahGZu7S4bJW6lnWeIZPjp5dqhyphenhyphen0I8Kw1X5f2Q2j1CHaQTFaqknJc-Sd_YRof2joWyUZBmo/s400/20191203_180028.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinogana, as we get on the boat the light is fading fast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYFpJeIW-eyaDCCp6uptZGaAK8Qat1lY7_rVoZrD_6_mJDB7o_Mmake679twPECUkRfh24vzcOGv14zWEQr5rqYCImD_g_MvZM73BB2e5sX1m8dHvJEDRyEFNVvFDfqUDWa2gtbKuWJc/s1600/20191203_180606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYFpJeIW-eyaDCCp6uptZGaAK8Qat1lY7_rVoZrD_6_mJDB7o_Mmake679twPECUkRfh24vzcOGv14zWEQr5rqYCImD_g_MvZM73BB2e5sX1m8dHvJEDRyEFNVvFDfqUDWa2gtbKuWJc/s400/20191203_180606.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Chucanaque River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />rharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010076940674472737.post-6297133176558724182020-01-12T18:38:00.002+00:002020-02-26T09:09:44.624+00:00Panama...to the Darien GapAfter taking the first flight of the day from Bocas back to Panama City, we met up with with our old friend Carlos Bethancourt, head guide at the <a href="https://www.canopytower.com/" target="_blank">Canopy Family</a>. Carlos would accompany us for the remainder of the trip and was driving us to their base in the Darien, Canopy Camp.<br />
<br />
We broke the 5-hour journey at the Avicar restaurant in Torti - undoubtedly one of the best places to see up to ten species of hummingbirds! We didn't see ten but we had a good selection of hummers and other birds in the garden.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPz2PIRI01iNq1F324WCO84gJIvTjEQqD1X0HDE_M0wErmOgO0KrXbHhiSINyV-5Gr4sOjxyGgvpCJtToi47fQhHsSqNGptjnc5d093j1jd5DbB2keGqFPS7rDP9aOc0slcsL42f4Yfw/s1600/sbh3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1199" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPz2PIRI01iNq1F324WCO84gJIvTjEQqD1X0HDE_M0wErmOgO0KrXbHhiSINyV-5Gr4sOjxyGgvpCJtToi47fQhHsSqNGptjnc5d093j1jd5DbB2keGqFPS7rDP9aOc0slcsL42f4Yfw/s400/sbh3.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy-bellied Hummingbird, male</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRq97xEChw3iLIFlju_MIWHtIf5B3L6K4SodxXtjUUMig9q7C_oeLFFPT0OR0hTHKcxm57HeGQNLwMLOXaO-JDS9p-2KobObDUkANO4oCSg5F4lcrR_Ueg3hOmjp5ShIXhn1lZ6sULK4/s1600/SBH6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1128" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRq97xEChw3iLIFlju_MIWHtIf5B3L6K4SodxXtjUUMig9q7C_oeLFFPT0OR0hTHKcxm57HeGQNLwMLOXaO-JDS9p-2KobObDUkANO4oCSg5F4lcrR_Ueg3hOmjp5ShIXhn1lZ6sULK4/s400/SBH6.jpg" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Snowy-bellied Hummingbird, male<br />When their throat catches the sun...amazing!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLH9h4xSUKYoxOQA1orbfY8HgU2oA5QzQuR_4pTLl6ezOasg33azqtB5LSqhxB6e3RvArt_Mib6C0Pt1faP_Env63xbwIhHqwRqMjYPnOx-uAdMWdNhDGaUKVoX_8DjMNNm7EAuTGnCkU/s1600/RTH2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1475" data-original-width="1500" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLH9h4xSUKYoxOQA1orbfY8HgU2oA5QzQuR_4pTLl6ezOasg33azqtB5LSqhxB6e3RvArt_Mib6C0Pt1faP_Env63xbwIhHqwRqMjYPnOx-uAdMWdNhDGaUKVoX_8DjMNNm7EAuTGnCkU/s400/RTH2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rufous-tailed Hummingbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9GC_o8O_6jRDlOD-CKcT_k_6ZbQmPLrQfc6GHyCxWm_S5AEA93sJtfO_nOsjYWf0J75Kp7I8ZVXXR3YpUjzefM_TTmv73rBaVvaqSwbJURIkiHV0g7Gj6f4enQFJ-QkZRa4RNL0biW0/s1600/RTH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="1500" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9GC_o8O_6jRDlOD-CKcT_k_6ZbQmPLrQfc6GHyCxWm_S5AEA93sJtfO_nOsjYWf0J75Kp7I8ZVXXR3YpUjzefM_TTmv73rBaVvaqSwbJURIkiHV0g7Gj6f4enQFJ-QkZRa4RNL0biW0/s400/RTH.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scaly-breasted Hummingbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0WzwsFoB7elAfsZQ0pNk9qkHRZt2J9NVpaEXHaSxjdocQhBqVH0168za0eO1R3atSdwvYM1fqHC74PG4DDk_akvCvdb-VK60br5ALCFOkU_bREaNShacfyHqbx6r0ymJ6LLXO8dxdKw/s1600/sth2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1502" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0WzwsFoB7elAfsZQ0pNk9qkHRZt2J9NVpaEXHaSxjdocQhBqVH0168za0eO1R3atSdwvYM1fqHC74PG4DDk_akvCvdb-VK60br5ALCFOkU_bREaNShacfyHqbx6r0ymJ6LLXO8dxdKw/s400/sth2.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sapphire-throated Hummingbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZr1yiXO1z44ULXxFs-B3r6fzRrs0u986hGdPGaDdOQjY364Q2v-19U_hz-E5PB3k5bcU2b7lOUMniLH74QX-SQJ6A7MJGk-LjCvGc5CFTR6TEov5aXGeR2iQucErgVmku-lEra0IHy8/s1600/STH3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZr1yiXO1z44ULXxFs-B3r6fzRrs0u986hGdPGaDdOQjY364Q2v-19U_hz-E5PB3k5bcU2b7lOUMniLH74QX-SQJ6A7MJGk-LjCvGc5CFTR6TEov5aXGeR2iQucErgVmku-lEra0IHy8/s400/STH3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sapphire-throated Hummingbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4_7jze-W4uUNtqUkIbz2hOyqDNzXERrq4Q5CK50S4byrq7UVEZXwYHwp7qioFyoLxyba0S_hxdxqhualueiIh19n6WTdL81WksNTKUn98XKLDHcaLAK-fcYf8FBKRn0QMIS6_nfOcbY/s1600/BBM2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="1600" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4_7jze-W4uUNtqUkIbz2hOyqDNzXERrq4Q5CK50S4byrq7UVEZXwYHwp7qioFyoLxyba0S_hxdxqhualueiIh19n6WTdL81WksNTKUn98XKLDHcaLAK-fcYf8FBKRn0QMIS6_nfOcbY/s400/BBM2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-throated Mango, female</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQSmepkE3O3x78M_82Xnw2b3p21z0v2lgHAn4mDwFhQoA8Q5Vj4to9jh1toA5UDpln_1rVmHH-b7pr9WpF9Nau5jgd47LloKC6tzRGyJQUep9Xg4xNSpsJNgtAQXoawQPrx_z3bk4WaU/s1600/BBM3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1467" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQSmepkE3O3x78M_82Xnw2b3p21z0v2lgHAn4mDwFhQoA8Q5Vj4to9jh1toA5UDpln_1rVmHH-b7pr9WpF9Nau5jgd47LloKC6tzRGyJQUep9Xg4xNSpsJNgtAQXoawQPrx_z3bk4WaU/s400/BBM3.jpg" width="366" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-throated Mango, male</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6qiNrMZ7DbgT8GdTyUCrcuJZ3gz9ph8ONqAVIIIwVrFb-SvcR7uV7_3VizGjvBU4NPo6bY6wKUdV2xGRbQ-52hJBlpA75FbCvmYSDtHKv_xEqkii8vJAoIPxU0iK5OVYUccpoyU45Oc/s1600/BBM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1325" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6qiNrMZ7DbgT8GdTyUCrcuJZ3gz9ph8ONqAVIIIwVrFb-SvcR7uV7_3VizGjvBU4NPo6bY6wKUdV2xGRbQ-52hJBlpA75FbCvmYSDtHKv_xEqkii8vJAoIPxU0iK5OVYUccpoyU45Oc/s400/BBM.jpg" width="361" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-throated Mango, female</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieS7h8O7gvuSftsgtnqsMHYQuhxEQK_zSyzICL5BkVM1R5hXhq92o8NyGStKqEzj6KaODCgg7che0vYmgOs53sZi1uTtyntuCcNC6PFuImx0lRxi_mDjheUzCDCsYVOJOXy0ey_NEFBVo/s1600/LBS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="1500" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieS7h8O7gvuSftsgtnqsMHYQuhxEQK_zSyzICL5BkVM1R5hXhq92o8NyGStKqEzj6KaODCgg7che0vYmgOs53sZi1uTtyntuCcNC6PFuImx0lRxi_mDjheUzCDCsYVOJOXy0ey_NEFBVo/s400/LBS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long-billed Starthroat, male</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Some of the other visitors to the bird table weren't too shabby either...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4LcO_bPyXiSk9MF8248IjwQ3pKlizqy2MqtDNTjJ9wpJNBRboY0nRdbOZKalEZHhL2ZCB6hi9GIeS11bgPj7xRt81OPged0aAciE37oETY6z06QcqBhJUNquW160U3AI6iIOAjiOTMo/s1600/BD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1313" data-original-width="1500" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4LcO_bPyXiSk9MF8248IjwQ3pKlizqy2MqtDNTjJ9wpJNBRboY0nRdbOZKalEZHhL2ZCB6hi9GIeS11bgPj7xRt81OPged0aAciE37oETY6z06QcqBhJUNquW160U3AI6iIOAjiOTMo/s400/BD.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Dacnis, male - what a colour!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XpjcIPg0QHtjit5FRz2VhnleP_wsUhR8NfEJ-Oy-thA11ks1QLVxAT0S4SJApMfjZP39ccikRMLBdr8dANFZ0t1RlhSOmRAUArDT8idc_Ng0pJScA3Hey8obGlJ-RAbfP413nSeQ-NQ/s1600/BO1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1108" data-original-width="1500" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XpjcIPg0QHtjit5FRz2VhnleP_wsUhR8NfEJ-Oy-thA11ks1QLVxAT0S4SJApMfjZP39ccikRMLBdr8dANFZ0t1RlhSOmRAUArDT8idc_Ng0pJScA3Hey8obGlJ-RAbfP413nSeQ-NQ/s400/BO1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baltimore Oriole</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After an hour watching the hummingbirds, we continued on our way to the Darien. We'd visited here in May for the Harpy Eagles but I hadn't expected to be returning quite so soon. The Darien has a bad reputation. It's a 50 mile wide, almost impenetrable, break in the Pan-American Highway separating Panama from Colombia. The Colombian side certainly has more problems - for a start it's patrolled by FARC, The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (People's Army). Recognised as a terrorist organisation by the Colombian Government, they've certainly employed many unconventional practises in their time including (but not limited to), drug smuggling, kidnapping and murder of civilians. FARC aren't immediately active on the Panama side but there's no way of knowing how far you have to travel into 'The Gap' before running into them!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
But I should stress, it's as safe as it can be in Panama and we never experienced ANY problems at all. Crossing The Gap is just not recommended and would be a foolhardy exercise!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But we wouldn't be heading deeper into the region for a couple more days. For the time being we could relax and get a good night's sleep at the wonderful <a href="https://www.canopytower.com/canopy-camp/" target="_blank">Canopy Camp</a>.</div>
rharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010076940674472737.post-42252155526464720752020-01-08T20:39:00.000+00:002020-01-08T20:39:01.999+00:00Panama...Frogs and Manatees"The Galapagos of Central America". A grand title for the Bocas del Toro region but well deserved. The diversity among the different islands is staggering. Birds like White-collard Seedeater vary from island to island, on some they have the regular white collar, on others the collar has almost disappeared. But it's the amphibians, and frogs in particular, that have the most incredible variation. Strawberry Poison Frog, <i>Oophaga pumilio</i>, is found on all of the larger islands and each island has its own unique colour variety found nowhere else in the world! There was bright orange, green and yellow with black spots, orange with black spots and my favourite, cobalt blue.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-efWXg2X7m17OALRfhI_RE-KpUkaUMxN9VJSeCn4M-CSUfmzIf6pFfQvkEZf8fJaNN2GY6d7mvAL_azS63rKqtpLHR4ZcInKPDzqT7w-xM_s42FliiFFFLaNKoPEPvNP1LX0bEXHNits/s1600/bluefrog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1337" data-original-width="1600" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-efWXg2X7m17OALRfhI_RE-KpUkaUMxN9VJSeCn4M-CSUfmzIf6pFfQvkEZf8fJaNN2GY6d7mvAL_azS63rKqtpLHR4ZcInKPDzqT7w-xM_s42FliiFFFLaNKoPEPvNP1LX0bEXHNits/s400/bluefrog2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strawberry Poison Frog, Bocas del Toro</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5MwPBJc7TFVyDJB0RMleeLPOhQIcI2Uk9XRhT__36flSiuXeR6b4T8717GyoPp7b-Ach_HX_Oin0nowQfSoLskHn5JpUgYBU-zK6CyLPRv7W1cHgSg9vA9TRso97_ZjeyTakaPJbt2l4/s1600/bluefrog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1286" data-original-width="1600" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5MwPBJc7TFVyDJB0RMleeLPOhQIcI2Uk9XRhT__36flSiuXeR6b4T8717GyoPp7b-Ach_HX_Oin0nowQfSoLskHn5JpUgYBU-zK6CyLPRv7W1cHgSg9vA9TRso97_ZjeyTakaPJbt2l4/s400/bluefrog3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strawberry Poison Frog, blue morph</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0PEm4vC1twgm48HpJDErHR1MXTbYHKlSMc-NHe4w0pmJ8VhGhsbWQ-RJPTu-CB8OzW2JzvYVYwn9m4yjro-CVmR9QlPIpduEQBF1fxvokiVQKI1N0z3ul3uHUfAheLgjaJvPXZMhqT4/s1600/bluefrog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1431" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0PEm4vC1twgm48HpJDErHR1MXTbYHKlSMc-NHe4w0pmJ8VhGhsbWQ-RJPTu-CB8OzW2JzvYVYwn9m4yjro-CVmR9QlPIpduEQBF1fxvokiVQKI1N0z3ul3uHUfAheLgjaJvPXZMhqT4/s400/bluefrog.jpg" width="357" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These stunning jewels are no bigger than your thumb nail.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In stark contrast, this Savage's Foam Frog, <i>Leptodactylus savagei</i>, is a giant around 6 inches from snout to vent!<br />
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4DRL3sC5-M5lPJGNiaQ0hsfpO-UhGd0Gw8mEQJvKGsIRXuDe8RZ6L8jWInhU8UhLWojRSDG-EWIgKUeTcVzLhbsaKkCkSWAKRXwLzn4lpnc4rUixtIc274xVEyei1augPJAy6SaENe4/s1600/20191127_203440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4DRL3sC5-M5lPJGNiaQ0hsfpO-UhGd0Gw8mEQJvKGsIRXuDe8RZ6L8jWInhU8UhLWojRSDG-EWIgKUeTcVzLhbsaKkCkSWAKRXwLzn4lpnc4rUixtIc274xVEyei1augPJAy6SaENe4/s400/20191127_203440.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Savage's Foam Frog</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The following day it was time for a trip off the island. A lengthy boat trip to Almirante followed by an hour on the road took us up towards the border with Costa Rica. Banana plantations lined the last part of the route until we eventually reached our destination. Another 40 minute boat journey ensues as we head in search of manatees. We are joined by a group of VIPs who are involved with the conservation project and who have kindly allowed us access to the feeding station, a jetty and viewing platform set in the mangroves along the edge of the river.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjNtdphWQT-7b1B5-ArdIWoXmTUmvQH_5N8NDswdyvLVpgi5xjILT1GPIEbQY1xXgpGzw8fzvebcxiAliMblgfhQUGVNHz-Idx2_EI2PCpqjT84jQudwiwqxLlqZgzMgC9FZJTWGLyjI/s1600/place1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjNtdphWQT-7b1B5-ArdIWoXmTUmvQH_5N8NDswdyvLVpgi5xjILT1GPIEbQY1xXgpGzw8fzvebcxiAliMblgfhQUGVNHz-Idx2_EI2PCpqjT84jQudwiwqxLlqZgzMgC9FZJTWGLyjI/s400/place1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almirante</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkVa8zKDuaqAPxYZisAC5JP31lUKpQBgIMIvqT3UeLnC45LuocMG7I_ObOD8HqHF1Z2ZfSWCPWRZaksLfCF7yEdnqWchAaRwVDbx4aNl1vJURoumXte6NAF53GOstyl6IS9nmiSG8irQ/s1600/place2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkVa8zKDuaqAPxYZisAC5JP31lUKpQBgIMIvqT3UeLnC45LuocMG7I_ObOD8HqHF1Z2ZfSWCPWRZaksLfCF7yEdnqWchAaRwVDbx4aNl1vJURoumXte6NAF53GOstyl6IS9nmiSG8irQ/s400/place2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almirante</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_6NW385iqkCONicgODkr1mdYFrqFVbN1mfsqRlK3iTRYWs0oyXapar44PaJQKGwVvrOxqdZw86A9fzKVEJsJuu9zHcH1BicbawR49ApRkZunLQCG6OTeKRwpwC0cpJzTeIxPXEp2w4U/s1600/place3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_6NW385iqkCONicgODkr1mdYFrqFVbN1mfsqRlK3iTRYWs0oyXapar44PaJQKGwVvrOxqdZw86A9fzKVEJsJuu9zHcH1BicbawR49ApRkZunLQCG6OTeKRwpwC0cpJzTeIxPXEp2w4U/s400/place3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almirante - waterside homes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr7dBXrwilieJxIwPF9NeWTpLMqJAdGBOvsI_-t-dcxFkWVb6fYZXadOXPKB2sS1tlS6Z7r1XbUaAk3yDS1Jn70-HjvRccla2u3GM7UiXnXrouKoyF-yApULhSYY0iU3aAAZSk9o0dhw/s1600/20191201_121209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr7dBXrwilieJxIwPF9NeWTpLMqJAdGBOvsI_-t-dcxFkWVb6fYZXadOXPKB2sS1tlS6Z7r1XbUaAk3yDS1Jn70-HjvRccla2u3GM7UiXnXrouKoyF-yApULhSYY0iU3aAAZSk9o0dhw/s400/20191201_121209.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim, Mike and Nigel with VIPs behind</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZxSX1tYoG7rtwogKs8Y7gKgrrCnbRiSUTfJgeBmbrzKD1taAJz37CHPYBmQJmrKYsZc5YSCaTL8TVE424q4m6qTv1IL7y7qgjWc8o4GvVeqS2Zt-GHHzJZhBkiaS9RiKJSJWts7JpZA/s1600/20191201_092447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZxSX1tYoG7rtwogKs8Y7gKgrrCnbRiSUTfJgeBmbrzKD1taAJz37CHPYBmQJmrKYsZc5YSCaTL8TVE424q4m6qTv1IL7y7qgjWc8o4GvVeqS2Zt-GHHzJZhBkiaS9RiKJSJWts7JpZA/s400/20191201_092447.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mangroves around the viewing platform</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We were assured they would come and after an hour's wait, they did. Three turned up to feed on bunches of banana leaves suspended above the water. It was surreal to see these giant animals loom out of the murky, tannin-stained waters.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEies-RhqxU_i0zAiaXtLfr95I3LhViTdxb6eC6Gdp9RWSRMttbkS8jqgLP4nVBlqxS_RKbTv7NSH65v465sLKfoh1wWX_BFXatvM_A4S9d8Juvt2VCPA-G2S89uMBqIWcxozEcvKjFnN7I/s1600/m1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEies-RhqxU_i0zAiaXtLfr95I3LhViTdxb6eC6Gdp9RWSRMttbkS8jqgLP4nVBlqxS_RKbTv7NSH65v465sLKfoh1wWX_BFXatvM_A4S9d8Juvt2VCPA-G2S89uMBqIWcxozEcvKjFnN7I/s400/m1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manatee, feeding on banana leaves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJ5mGO9-XsP3t7TohceaOBtRVIXY860gzjviUtCgg28UJfBLlOFRwm5jwAS7zyQDp4BMOc0kdrZI1N0YvIe3z2jo6IK-DhyphenhyphenIfAd-dhFqIHT_JeY4NDQN0SsDJwdoKG0gFMkP_xegyiLg/s1600/m2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJ5mGO9-XsP3t7TohceaOBtRVIXY860gzjviUtCgg28UJfBLlOFRwm5jwAS7zyQDp4BMOc0kdrZI1N0YvIe3z2jo6IK-DhyphenhyphenIfAd-dhFqIHT_JeY4NDQN0SsDJwdoKG0gFMkP_xegyiLg/s400/m2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They are bizarre animals, one of the highlights of the trip.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVzP3PtBJSsSWvRD87LEkuHYqDq8Np32LMxTFl6_CDsnNUGrmmnIfb1PItvuq9237y-ys5jUxQvPIRzyKknzuV0aJpMrstBkVSdpke_uR86TEnBnM6lFm5physXbEDD7JH-wSX3QIY9A/s1600/Green+Heron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1431" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVzP3PtBJSsSWvRD87LEkuHYqDq8Np32LMxTFl6_CDsnNUGrmmnIfb1PItvuq9237y-ys5jUxQvPIRzyKknzuV0aJpMrstBkVSdpke_uR86TEnBnM6lFm5physXbEDD7JH-wSX3QIY9A/s400/Green+Heron.jpg" width="335" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Heron, sharing the Mangroves with us.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Our last morning at Tranquilo Bay arrived and even as we finished our last shots around the grounds for the film, there were surprises to be had. One of the guides waved us over to a bush for a very unexpected sighting.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRa6umHw-ogLQU9lpOlrYF2qzWv4_GFL6PqRyNam9T6KnOq3SEZNQlp_G5FAmHZhl0kS34Nr-INKFf49gZ9ERyav-9dhfNfQwoEV0pe1fQw7x4frWbMXSEqRSZ3IyoVDw_H2TZkqv18w/s1600/20191201_151432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRa6umHw-ogLQU9lpOlrYF2qzWv4_GFL6PqRyNam9T6KnOq3SEZNQlp_G5FAmHZhl0kS34Nr-INKFf49gZ9ERyav-9dhfNfQwoEV0pe1fQw7x4frWbMXSEqRSZ3IyoVDw_H2TZkqv18w/s400/20191201_151432.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike Hutchinson in action</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizI0wuiM2VI-Kbo2PQd3Ay1b-MPPO568Dde4KJ229l9OCU1GOpdNXhLHPbghUFVwtq5DHpVWpM_ylelp-JJe2c6YJA1DjM0Eu5ds0T3bRWlUP61NHse3_5B-g_Opm7fqHFsremurszmwk/s1600/20191201_151512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizI0wuiM2VI-Kbo2PQd3Ay1b-MPPO568Dde4KJ229l9OCU1GOpdNXhLHPbghUFVwtq5DHpVWpM_ylelp-JJe2c6YJA1DjM0Eu5ds0T3bRWlUP61NHse3_5B-g_Opm7fqHFsremurszmwk/s400/20191201_151512.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Brown-throated three-fingered Sloth<br />and baby not three feet away!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We spent the last night in Bocas town to catch the early flight out to Panama City the next morning. We were heading back to the Darien Gap.</div>
</div>
<br /></div>
rharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010076940674472737.post-33414272454237487722020-01-03T19:43:00.001+00:002020-01-03T19:43:34.189+00:00Panama...Bocas del ToroWith filming in Guatemala finished in October our attention turned to Panama. Panama was the only missing gap in the series and after spending 10 days there in <a href="https://threecountieswildlife.blogspot.com/2019/05/the-darien-gap.html" target="_blank">May 2019</a>, we had to return to finish what we'd started to complete the programme. At 04:40 on 26th November we were back at Heathrow Terminal 5 for our flight to Panama City via Madrid. First stop...Bocas del Toro, the 'Galapagos of Central America'.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrkYLlP76FXDYszX_oYMwOnINA4rkmJKIfDkmlMHwxGOCOvAZ3E0o9_INOCMF0dSxQJx73TYU-HnSNcqWeDMpToOPbh25hNSyTkjyuyGAFpo8MqqifZmuVtVMUfKbDiascApzPSJNQ98/s1600/map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="1136" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrkYLlP76FXDYszX_oYMwOnINA4rkmJKIfDkmlMHwxGOCOvAZ3E0o9_INOCMF0dSxQJx73TYU-HnSNcqWeDMpToOPbh25hNSyTkjyuyGAFpo8MqqifZmuVtVMUfKbDiascApzPSJNQ98/s400/map.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bocas del Toro - 'Galapogas of Central America'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Our stay at Bocas was hosted by the wonderful Jim and Renee Kimball, co-owners of <a href="https://www.tranquilobay.com/" target="_blank">Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge</a>, whom Nigel and I met at Birdfair 2019. This wonderful resort is situated on the Island of Bastimentos in the Caribbean Sea, a 30 minute boat ride from Bocas del Toro - the diversity here is amazing!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCG80wYDP8h1P64vv8YddSEwttqEYrLNlU7NSHquk5QghQN9fOxy4jIaYoatXZnfXWtPL2ZBSiwvC-MVrsC0kE7I8nIvyCS1wSh0Xrw9oPxV1c4dQAqQoAjlLVcVcj2lTi-ODf8KwgWfo/s1600/20191127_085751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCG80wYDP8h1P64vv8YddSEwttqEYrLNlU7NSHquk5QghQN9fOxy4jIaYoatXZnfXWtPL2ZBSiwvC-MVrsC0kE7I8nIvyCS1wSh0Xrw9oPxV1c4dQAqQoAjlLVcVcj2lTi-ODf8KwgWfo/s400/20191127_085751.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bocas del Toro is a very attractive town on the Caribbean<br />
and attracts large numbers of tourists.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUA5H-c4GvQwV9eoFgwDP8WLoTBmlBVgviZRWQO_cCyqKaBl9AKEYEPsYXnVHuTBsAYKSON2YMawKRBkiyeHwA_Ll4Dp5aDQerYXsSkDdUj2fd6B678RqzjTOpe8ODpx4gbau38nHSEBM/s1600/20191127_090834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUA5H-c4GvQwV9eoFgwDP8WLoTBmlBVgviZRWQO_cCyqKaBl9AKEYEPsYXnVHuTBsAYKSON2YMawKRBkiyeHwA_Ll4Dp5aDQerYXsSkDdUj2fd6B678RqzjTOpe8ODpx4gbau38nHSEBM/s400/20191127_090834.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bocas waterfront.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5-dzzypQu2eV6QhYwCAU6_rGUgCC6gmxNJQ-7io3ogfSPuSYYSKOrn_Q-dG8JsRGnjWqaW1jNlVsbgS9fUdVOCQE4qWBo4vOrbCTdZmjZyIleTVifLhV0V0sFoYKJA33Q1e252WewvA/s1600/20191127_090934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5-dzzypQu2eV6QhYwCAU6_rGUgCC6gmxNJQ-7io3ogfSPuSYYSKOrn_Q-dG8JsRGnjWqaW1jNlVsbgS9fUdVOCQE4qWBo4vOrbCTdZmjZyIleTVifLhV0V0sFoYKJA33Q1e252WewvA/s400/20191127_090934.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Bocas for Tranquilo Bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDx4MYLiA-W8vmAuwlt513yqXQgBykYi4ZrFO45kFN7SPji4y5K_RpaZmt0a7E9GIjHON38QGfQDCsqMFYMGBvWf6b6a1nRhcyQ5dG5cdFHjeIbDFmBxNm4eTsPovORCL1PW-tFNg_PZE/s1600/20191127_095302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDx4MYLiA-W8vmAuwlt513yqXQgBykYi4ZrFO45kFN7SPji4y5K_RpaZmt0a7E9GIjHON38QGfQDCsqMFYMGBvWf6b6a1nRhcyQ5dG5cdFHjeIbDFmBxNm4eTsPovORCL1PW-tFNg_PZE/s400/20191127_095302.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The balcony at Tranquilo Bay Resort<br />
frequented by Prothonotary Warblers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcwm1gDcx85EK-DOkyIuViwrhR-KY_2e5WV_pOITdNyz7E-DANZxHHb1up0QP7WXtOgddbSZE4bT_K4ZBnDjfqTZoCfwjrccZ5jfNZWZO2rx8BKMoqoEMLPOarWAw8Szte2-VnO5zobM/s1600/20191127_175010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1211" data-original-width="1600" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcwm1gDcx85EK-DOkyIuViwrhR-KY_2e5WV_pOITdNyz7E-DANZxHHb1up0QP7WXtOgddbSZE4bT_K4ZBnDjfqTZoCfwjrccZ5jfNZWZO2rx8BKMoqoEMLPOarWAw8Szte2-VnO5zobM/s400/20191127_175010.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local houses on Isla Bastimentos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The grounds around the cabins were alive with birds. Dozens of Prothonotary Warblers, Tawny-crested Tanagers moving through in small flocks, Bronzy Hermit hummingbirds and metallic green Orchid Bees feeding on the verbena. <div>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSsTgb0hkrFE6Ys2_XSuJadvNFdQ3Nf5OVQujzd5lcwhuCIoL5iuH0bVhvctplIg_0fY46MAXEmDRhPINfbS4OkOOxUusXRAmxPsal7V9fmM-HQQ67EAMKYtouErTa0KEtNNvgj6HRpo/s1600/MT1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSsTgb0hkrFE6Ys2_XSuJadvNFdQ3Nf5OVQujzd5lcwhuCIoL5iuH0bVhvctplIg_0fY46MAXEmDRhPINfbS4OkOOxUusXRAmxPsal7V9fmM-HQQ67EAMKYtouErTa0KEtNNvgj6HRpo/s400/MT1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Masked Tityra were a common sight.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjat72o1N-jmo60OtsLMSVEpB4jXCiN4m5pwosMfKi5GbLLRFFwg1mtGFjPuRc6BstdrBpaO-IX3D2qXOxkM8F7k-rImx83P5Tw-_Zo6tTTRjR2_KR2t1RzV3DffWNCoZ0T-gx2cAlkBqQ/s1600/MT2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="1600" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjat72o1N-jmo60OtsLMSVEpB4jXCiN4m5pwosMfKi5GbLLRFFwg1mtGFjPuRc6BstdrBpaO-IX3D2qXOxkM8F7k-rImx83P5Tw-_Zo6tTTRjR2_KR2t1RzV3DffWNCoZ0T-gx2cAlkBqQ/s400/MT2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and another</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyMC-4RKIU3-BOQY0ia6AXV5U9fW3bPtSa3MvVeTNM3ogGNHHyITHRhnHBqzax0ELcQCbo4vpwvwAMev3geNmrTn-LUiUNoiGMpBw_yiK0XD_KDxbl00T981_2_1YKnj2BEm1gUscCDc/s1600/Proth1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyMC-4RKIU3-BOQY0ia6AXV5U9fW3bPtSa3MvVeTNM3ogGNHHyITHRhnHBqzax0ELcQCbo4vpwvwAMev3geNmrTn-LUiUNoiGMpBw_yiK0XD_KDxbl00T981_2_1YKnj2BEm1gUscCDc/s400/Proth1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prothonotary Warbler, 1st winter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeE6QmqlPNBgRdB5DK4oWAPjSeb8siqTqn0oslpLlHEvHl63G2vGO_Nyz6nf6lXyxSsUC4DQp-Imz0w2-kGwSLA9iMZcaOFE7857k35GK1rTjcazdGCs8vVOmZpvg6Z2uPafimUE-RlA/s1600/Proth2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeE6QmqlPNBgRdB5DK4oWAPjSeb8siqTqn0oslpLlHEvHl63G2vGO_Nyz6nf6lXyxSsUC4DQp-Imz0w2-kGwSLA9iMZcaOFE7857k35GK1rTjcazdGCs8vVOmZpvg6Z2uPafimUE-RlA/s400/Proth2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prothonotary Warbler, adult</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSqntbOkpQ9lh4RnGdoWBfNJkzY4M_U9msMgbknxFuitSjEAGiBuaBLfS9LGG8ZNrHfepfBHZ2Ryr27SvS9d4mfpTNb1g-u2NFtYqUJ-htcy8BJKtwU9RN7uBjGdzeSynL_JU3MnBFfg/s1600/Proth3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSqntbOkpQ9lh4RnGdoWBfNJkzY4M_U9msMgbknxFuitSjEAGiBuaBLfS9LGG8ZNrHfepfBHZ2Ryr27SvS9d4mfpTNb1g-u2NFtYqUJ-htcy8BJKtwU9RN7uBjGdzeSynL_JU3MnBFfg/s400/Proth3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Prothonotary Warbler - extremely common around the<br />lodge and grounds, usually 3-4 together.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFIyWYhWvvGznppg8pwXDwtRdQzNh-M4Hl8ZHbEhqyaem6VsvpDj25-tO5UbP5Oy1DrWkRQineDJVaORiS91-mHJcB7aKnh0vpzGP25JRDRJY9orFf8_cyZ9Ayhr5qRSczmo4P2BWMe8/s1600/Proth4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="1200" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFIyWYhWvvGznppg8pwXDwtRdQzNh-M4Hl8ZHbEhqyaem6VsvpDj25-tO5UbP5Oy1DrWkRQineDJVaORiS91-mHJcB7aKnh0vpzGP25JRDRJY9orFf8_cyZ9Ayhr5qRSczmo4P2BWMe8/s400/Proth4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Prothonotary Warbler</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQntRbpH-gZDnEf6ZvhwuFgU5xjh-rmoMh_tGvA-i-5F-PS2G5KTw9hx009V93qozWiojiff4-nFSru54VkyVC7JI0soCQyCdqxDuvs_d1Ld3DhKdGmQ0UcPD0ft-kYCEDAxfTjbxDVE/s1600/20191201_055706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQntRbpH-gZDnEf6ZvhwuFgU5xjh-rmoMh_tGvA-i-5F-PS2G5KTw9hx009V93qozWiojiff4-nFSru54VkyVC7JI0soCQyCdqxDuvs_d1Ld3DhKdGmQ0UcPD0ft-kYCEDAxfTjbxDVE/s400/20191201_055706.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at Tranquilo Bay Lodge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
At night the grounds of the Lodge came alive with different creatures. The most frequently found reptiles were Striped Basilisks. These medium/large lizards can be found sleeping along the length of branches at about head height. They have amazing blue eyes...</div>
<div>
<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxz6qTpunPJlEgxyguw_HxMIchfAa8fDAtUXWSi1qgU738AOFpCCL7lARMUuku3yC74Ej1qreaLL1BKSebpmj5l65X8UKeeotvhqOcN50n89QpZ0jX9QklxuAcEYdFs2SrhWfDmgR3Lc/s1600/20191127_203232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxz6qTpunPJlEgxyguw_HxMIchfAa8fDAtUXWSi1qgU738AOFpCCL7lARMUuku3yC74Ej1qreaLL1BKSebpmj5l65X8UKeeotvhqOcN50n89QpZ0jX9QklxuAcEYdFs2SrhWfDmgR3Lc/s400/20191127_203232.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Striped Basilisk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7doTlyjfAVUAYgbukQjjQZWnInegv_v22m595xEVHQqkZ-XptuIrEMMBqmU9dzPOZjkXX36QP2JzeOpGhmNA0G5B03mH5V1Mn4HvD8Dy4gQV6rty4brR5DZbNqSPfv2tFtjKukz9FNDs/s1600/20191127_205339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7doTlyjfAVUAYgbukQjjQZWnInegv_v22m595xEVHQqkZ-XptuIrEMMBqmU9dzPOZjkXX36QP2JzeOpGhmNA0G5B03mH5V1Mn4HvD8Dy4gQV6rty4brR5DZbNqSPfv2tFtjKukz9FNDs/s400/20191127_205339.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And another...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbp5dBSpF-8GGR9MZy6fUFXOCOKzoY8gyErBIQWwlDFug44aRNfLN4xRo1oQrEs0FBJlKrB2hAYu-fHa-TZt77ZsfXHucIanTYTQYBze6eCggEKVptcM7zZ2qRIxr032j9XX1015Sdy4/s1600/20191128_204041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbp5dBSpF-8GGR9MZy6fUFXOCOKzoY8gyErBIQWwlDFug44aRNfLN4xRo1oQrEs0FBJlKrB2hAYu-fHa-TZt77ZsfXHucIanTYTQYBze6eCggEKVptcM7zZ2qRIxr032j9XX1015Sdy4/s400/20191128_204041.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rather attractive wandering spider sp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Jim also runs a moth trap most nights and it attracts vast numbers of species, big and small.<br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXz9BH5X5gwla88MSCOOiZe94xDWFpoRm6_371c2pH_OXiVfn5guZHyGasU4qYkdyUQe0ID1sBNI_2lxkS7Um0xDZOLEh_SeTiMWB-oGkqtkBid3DMGk0eYzti1DoMCCJut8_jUUoi9pM/s1600/20191129_073337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1433" data-original-width="1600" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXz9BH5X5gwla88MSCOOiZe94xDWFpoRm6_371c2pH_OXiVfn5guZHyGasU4qYkdyUQe0ID1sBNI_2lxkS7Um0xDZOLEh_SeTiMWB-oGkqtkBid3DMGk0eYzti1DoMCCJut8_jUUoi9pM/s400/20191129_073337.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A large green Hawkmoth sp.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZt35GjgiwfGvJZi252rl6HrdILH6DkRcfx1r8KWke0nCMHhkArpvF0q61foIlp6CrfPIPxDgj1FI5Fn3x_NEQOlMRWhAlIy25WN4FubPNtGM9R9XIJaGpQmFeAlQSR0BfhQiUKbUDj-8/s1600/20191130_203700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZt35GjgiwfGvJZi252rl6HrdILH6DkRcfx1r8KWke0nCMHhkArpvF0q61foIlp6CrfPIPxDgj1FI5Fn3x_NEQOlMRWhAlIy25WN4FubPNtGM9R9XIJaGpQmFeAlQSR0BfhQiUKbUDj-8/s400/20191130_203700.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another attractive species - no idea what it is though</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRMNoIic8ZKlIj7mDQU0Q3rOyIqg5RrYjRnqP_kcRu8ekppy7p08tKjRDX_vv9Zt4NoPz2cjl3PED9urDXh3JAfujuKYw6vkti2v1YlTvyy6typnDletelObqYnoHarL95bYwREb_Lsg/s1600/20191130_203715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRMNoIic8ZKlIj7mDQU0Q3rOyIqg5RrYjRnqP_kcRu8ekppy7p08tKjRDX_vv9Zt4NoPz2cjl3PED9urDXh3JAfujuKYw6vkti2v1YlTvyy6typnDletelObqYnoHarL95bYwREb_Lsg/s400/20191130_203715.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another unidentified sp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibq7qM2omzVJ0z_5-fwK2u-VuNsxDi-RjjydJXhGnPMHLQXjQwzEsS7YaVmDd3dO6XC-1vnJFGoGf_B4HBLpvXCZgq4UukR8iIn0zOZpidkDSga4tF2gVtO6fIoBPhXIRrr_y4vp1ZQAo/s1600/20191201_051723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibq7qM2omzVJ0z_5-fwK2u-VuNsxDi-RjjydJXhGnPMHLQXjQwzEsS7YaVmDd3dO6XC-1vnJFGoGf_B4HBLpvXCZgq4UukR8iIn0zOZpidkDSga4tF2gVtO6fIoBPhXIRrr_y4vp1ZQAo/s400/20191201_051723.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adhemarius gannascus - one I could ID</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cWJbwAragnoCfJ233sW-oeK5KjX8-qxh0K5RaXxZDxCQ-3f1M_-uVjT_SgBpga0dZTZh7AnMP5kw1YWe5wRDFj-LXpowBascORUNHCgnOocwwMx_aev96GV7Fs_kV5ANEWlMjCUcwOk/s1600/20191201_051738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cWJbwAragnoCfJ233sW-oeK5KjX8-qxh0K5RaXxZDxCQ-3f1M_-uVjT_SgBpga0dZTZh7AnMP5kw1YWe5wRDFj-LXpowBascORUNHCgnOocwwMx_aev96GV7Fs_kV5ANEWlMjCUcwOk/s400/20191201_051738.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another mystery moth...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pJQOGacf316wrP4o3pS6d8SO7qtHKvd6f_kXwYA0h5y5qIRExvpmYlMaJtrOPcgCsMjAWPqClCmtUSTxOAhl2ikvuF-VOSJjwhpkr_fI5ugRMxDOOTbjKwF5psPoLTmze_g7EFazRGQ/s1600/20191201_051845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pJQOGacf316wrP4o3pS6d8SO7qtHKvd6f_kXwYA0h5y5qIRExvpmYlMaJtrOPcgCsMjAWPqClCmtUSTxOAhl2ikvuF-VOSJjwhpkr_fI5ugRMxDOOTbjKwF5psPoLTmze_g7EFazRGQ/s400/20191201_051845.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like some type of emerald?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA14f3Zrv-6kpid52E6grTStNI5x-xljCL5mWrRIlZ0Ks1xevutYW93iYNHB04vVVizj2g4kh75bcAroOWqSXbLKIyAkWQt4z0WIBKU2VnyfodeMUKXI1JmZzA3PHycZaTXfUcxaV3dwo/s1600/20191201_051958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA14f3Zrv-6kpid52E6grTStNI5x-xljCL5mWrRIlZ0Ks1xevutYW93iYNHB04vVVizj2g4kh75bcAroOWqSXbLKIyAkWQt4z0WIBKU2VnyfodeMUKXI1JmZzA3PHycZaTXfUcxaV3dwo/s400/20191201_051958.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orizaba Silkmoth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Filming around Bocas was set to continue for the next 4 days providing great opportunities to see more of the local wildlife. Many birds are particularly unworried by human presence allowing great views.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-ccnw7OoJG73gXkO03Smrev9Qe3Z31YbeiXDxIdvIDioxkhcmRdig9NwNI8_7htccVxbFo9VmOy6VAvMLk_89gp7mxBeHxnoLcTIVqmoCcBBZvKMhhOWr2ZHeSGrxuHB4wMOJCZolRU/s1600/GBA1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1077" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-ccnw7OoJG73gXkO03Smrev9Qe3Z31YbeiXDxIdvIDioxkhcmRdig9NwNI8_7htccVxbFo9VmOy6VAvMLk_89gp7mxBeHxnoLcTIVqmoCcBBZvKMhhOWr2ZHeSGrxuHB4wMOJCZolRU/s400/GBA1.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Groove-billed Ani<br />Common in flocks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WuGAppO2zgS_A_39cjejW8MDBR6iWg9LhXbw1Q7Y-6VFHEuh628f3BUp6tEFYT9_HEP0WaUGb8S_rl1Py4GHaxGqFW06xcWPm8zbDV8CD1gkF3MpAz9qh2ep-eWVcMAECGd71NtOHLo/s1600/GBA4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="1600" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WuGAppO2zgS_A_39cjejW8MDBR6iWg9LhXbw1Q7Y-6VFHEuh628f3BUp6tEFYT9_HEP0WaUGb8S_rl1Py4GHaxGqFW06xcWPm8zbDV8CD1gkF3MpAz9qh2ep-eWVcMAECGd71NtOHLo/s400/GBA4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Groove-billed Ani</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHEY8Nkq2fDKVQmDQuO-3rTPeTEYln7-TWOgGkY_9Sxn2defndtGitRe0JiED8wGuhiLuH4nGovioGpN2paCl8f9rVSxzPJV92G9qJ-I7IVdCcMyNtoChK-8mJc0IDwNrbn9iA7-mKA4/s1600/LBH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHEY8Nkq2fDKVQmDQuO-3rTPeTEYln7-TWOgGkY_9Sxn2defndtGitRe0JiED8wGuhiLuH4nGovioGpN2paCl8f9rVSxzPJV92G9qJ-I7IVdCcMyNtoChK-8mJc0IDwNrbn9iA7-mKA4/s400/LBH.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Blue Heron</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JtVm-h3kVmP1YJ4QQXXqTMzDFkNY_VCkFlUVxOKBGbwrmTwLob9EmOAq1oaeAAhKlujEY8Rjjg-goaupe8fCj9NYWfGYJnX3aJJw4Pwu2Nx70lsNzZ2Ua8tKHIt9ZFaWvgQR8uzjVw0/s1600/LG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JtVm-h3kVmP1YJ4QQXXqTMzDFkNY_VCkFlUVxOKBGbwrmTwLob9EmOAq1oaeAAhKlujEY8Rjjg-goaupe8fCj9NYWfGYJnX3aJJw4Pwu2Nx70lsNzZ2Ua8tKHIt9ZFaWvgQR8uzjVw0/s400/LG.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laughing Gull</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitX30IXOyO6Verzd9NYP0vm0e1CuNW4jvj0dbJ_cYnGd17Ztq9hnVl3W5FgZNkd_cDBLoNQplEYilHXnKtfTKUM2HnbJ8hRh-MPQrXVrFZJUmprhfe7FPbWaG6JgvwrG7NBds7KJruAoM/s1600/NW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="877" data-original-width="1200" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitX30IXOyO6Verzd9NYP0vm0e1CuNW4jvj0dbJ_cYnGd17Ztq9hnVl3W5FgZNkd_cDBLoNQplEYilHXnKtfTKUM2HnbJ8hRh-MPQrXVrFZJUmprhfe7FPbWaG6JgvwrG7NBds7KJruAoM/s400/NW.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Water Thrush</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBlQDSjZ25WtOSJOsuvCw0f72v41CvE0A4E1uLo7juPYYPUWW6PkJHEmfDxyuGOjbS6Z9rEiZGuTd0Kh8w3OijhFvhSi5RYZkGwymXxTLr8OVVS9QLgcYqrciCDFwLUouomVWJt4zD_4/s1600/Pelican2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1260" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBlQDSjZ25WtOSJOsuvCw0f72v41CvE0A4E1uLo7juPYYPUWW6PkJHEmfDxyuGOjbS6Z9rEiZGuTd0Kh8w3OijhFvhSi5RYZkGwymXxTLr8OVVS9QLgcYqrciCDFwLUouomVWJt4zD_4/s400/Pelican2.jpg" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Pelican</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjME4FybcLg-_OHqffpCoq0pL3dtfo5xU7M_ossYu-LvxJ_WUndoLGQjPxB1_ByLAQreXS6QSKbIL2hXU7KazNEEZU4OyeIJW7TjPTwnVM6Ew7GZuIq-uUYGgshyJ_YwtaScxRDVGSH7R0/s1600/Pelican.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1079" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjME4FybcLg-_OHqffpCoq0pL3dtfo5xU7M_ossYu-LvxJ_WUndoLGQjPxB1_ByLAQreXS6QSKbIL2hXU7KazNEEZU4OyeIJW7TjPTwnVM6Ew7GZuIq-uUYGgshyJ_YwtaScxRDVGSH7R0/s400/Pelican.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Brown Pelican</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL73YE91FoX-8-TvgNeFXtX5XXYAN_Clw9ULPV0JebN-cHoMk2TjWL7vNxWjR-2Jy5ZiRgbiH7Xmj4rFX4b4BOM1jokR-Y3nJTO587gv-jeyM1Fktm2SvwB1ZVt5-ZDHu8NKHoJDJoqqE/s1600/Snowy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1423" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL73YE91FoX-8-TvgNeFXtX5XXYAN_Clw9ULPV0JebN-cHoMk2TjWL7vNxWjR-2Jy5ZiRgbiH7Xmj4rFX4b4BOM1jokR-Y3nJTO587gv-jeyM1Fktm2SvwB1ZVt5-ZDHu8NKHoJDJoqqE/s400/Snowy2.jpg" width="336" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy Egret</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvvV0qEZWMeqE_wkSuNxG_j9SQF2evYtDlNgRfkfnSguYzWRKos7DK3zcRsU0HFKuY7cvdUcM1cY6EVxRzIHOPnwe1qYTaRGQUxadUm12o4EIbE25jnw1VFe513MrXaMNYRbpMtHp2k4/s1600/Spot3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1200" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvvV0qEZWMeqE_wkSuNxG_j9SQF2evYtDlNgRfkfnSguYzWRKos7DK3zcRsU0HFKuY7cvdUcM1cY6EVxRzIHOPnwe1qYTaRGQUxadUm12o4EIbE25jnw1VFe513MrXaMNYRbpMtHp2k4/s400/Spot3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Sandpiper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCG6044cfCfKwWb-GRFeFj_6z7uSn6mS_87W10nghTS8PKR5DFF14YkHjIdPTvAQwjAbunbAVjg3NSSgI-6AEgu2HAo4Q41oYc56daRsNL3_nk6goWgALCjz-hU8hwg7bnSFl4t6SbIiU/s1600/Spot5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="883" data-original-width="1200" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCG6044cfCfKwWb-GRFeFj_6z7uSn6mS_87W10nghTS8PKR5DFF14YkHjIdPTvAQwjAbunbAVjg3NSSgI-6AEgu2HAo4Q41oYc56daRsNL3_nk6goWgALCjz-hU8hwg7bnSFl4t6SbIiU/s400/Spot5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Sandpipers are common, very common...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30aP7cwCbZE-3LPd9X-dkSefTKggBBTgl_5jIluhKzEYqiykgVC1CUyH-u1lYegiFBUv29EyxPw4H0FT7mX0hz3jMQaY2VYwl2qn8J14lBHYHYDdrHgKu74WnAsGF0BoxVN6pz6Ad59E/s1600/TV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1283" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30aP7cwCbZE-3LPd9X-dkSefTKggBBTgl_5jIluhKzEYqiykgVC1CUyH-u1lYegiFBUv29EyxPw4H0FT7mX0hz3jMQaY2VYwl2qn8J14lBHYHYDdrHgKu74WnAsGF0BoxVN6pz6Ad59E/s400/TV.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turkey Vulture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23dKKtD3IaEajEXGJ0Gl9I5m4oSkC25LZxNBV-cVixdVon0SMI3YmEr2QPhHSlXEGz9zCt_rCmpBGinJHh7QuubdJdYwQuFHU3AIfqzSUl3p-drVXoab3tCyyh86QEqgydmHSjXuDN88/s1600/BH1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23dKKtD3IaEajEXGJ0Gl9I5m4oSkC25LZxNBV-cVixdVon0SMI3YmEr2QPhHSlXEGz9zCt_rCmpBGinJHh7QuubdJdYwQuFHU3AIfqzSUl3p-drVXoab3tCyyh86QEqgydmHSjXuDN88/s400/BH1.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hawk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPfBuMaiBwAto8MICbiXMS0JYK0-_n0wiJt4RY6IkO86XHkd2eS8am8hXSg5QCczb8mE7sQH82Rktp-SrvFYk9sGNB1sUtBZbYKOui_WP2eNfjsYQXz34Hd35tLXhXO-oH9ARex693C8/s1600/BH2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1212" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPfBuMaiBwAto8MICbiXMS0JYK0-_n0wiJt4RY6IkO86XHkd2eS8am8hXSg5QCczb8mE7sQH82Rktp-SrvFYk9sGNB1sUtBZbYKOui_WP2eNfjsYQXz34Hd35tLXhXO-oH9ARex693C8/s400/BH2.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking a little miserable in the rain...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I've certainly been putting my Nikon P1000 through its paces in the last year and I'm very pleased with the results. I can't imagine travelling without it now.</div>
</div>
rharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010076940674472737.post-37901353615553754882019-12-29T19:12:00.001+00:002020-10-05T19:57:56.177+01:00Guatemala - volcanoes and hummingbirds...Our last two days in Guatemala are to be spent back at Antigua. Having cut short our previous visit due to weather we are returning to finish what we started. Finca el pilar is a privately owned nature reserve on the mountain slopes overlooking the city.<br />
<br />
Our main reason for coming here is to see the restricted range Rufous Saberwing hummingbird, which visits the feeders in the garden along with many other species.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiB9n8N_K9IrUO-an1VDlqtv133aXy5YS1ecB8UZTlgfgQnTBM5Iq1zh2CPFAdNTvl0U82zeGmuvic0QErBGWy_sZLcJRKczFLceSsFTr2f5H574A4a-ar8KVs561XcsdRsQl8iPFm7g/s1600/RBS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1446" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiB9n8N_K9IrUO-an1VDlqtv133aXy5YS1ecB8UZTlgfgQnTBM5Iq1zh2CPFAdNTvl0U82zeGmuvic0QErBGWy_sZLcJRKczFLceSsFTr2f5H574A4a-ar8KVs561XcsdRsQl8iPFm7g/s400/RBS.jpg" width="361" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rufous Saberwing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zlOiWQTUAq4Ta1McogPwUP6jMY30N8ULRy4ydWCyiggOcPyZnlLmZh67Y8cYKJL-oTOq3JHxe4Sr6vb6l5_A28tQI4Z_hV2WF5Ht6UZf2NwzmTuazv1HPoBdHLzu4nbsE-9SAYQ5iuE/s1600/Rivolis2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1173" data-original-width="1600" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zlOiWQTUAq4Ta1McogPwUP6jMY30N8ULRy4ydWCyiggOcPyZnlLmZh67Y8cYKJL-oTOq3JHxe4Sr6vb6l5_A28tQI4Z_hV2WF5Ht6UZf2NwzmTuazv1HPoBdHLzu4nbsE-9SAYQ5iuE/s400/Rivolis2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rivoli's Hummingbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwod3p3iJUzYhx3gXO4pjjeyn75yr2GuxvyritxjHLA1yfsopgLXwqEKGBTjR0-s_7HND0OWbZyT0rZotX5FVfLRfGxz-IExZI7vHxEFrWTPpdRKg7p7WHdab6jNx8qjOrT1Mcphb3FPM/s1600/Rivolis.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="1600" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwod3p3iJUzYhx3gXO4pjjeyn75yr2GuxvyritxjHLA1yfsopgLXwqEKGBTjR0-s_7HND0OWbZyT0rZotX5FVfLRfGxz-IExZI7vHxEFrWTPpdRKg7p7WHdab6jNx8qjOrT1Mcphb3FPM/s400/Rivolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rivoli's Humminbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrGEjHyCV8hXBnsM9EsmrAo_KFTzImj2YgD3pSFn8bltJWl1YKE9QDnzRupnm7o9ivtjDIgk3Z4jQWTYR-5dV1rt7hd6F76X5N6o7XOkOOZrSzpwAcb5GXGGP52147HPdozaLrTyOS1U/s1600/VS2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1106" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrGEjHyCV8hXBnsM9EsmrAo_KFTzImj2YgD3pSFn8bltJWl1YKE9QDnzRupnm7o9ivtjDIgk3Z4jQWTYR-5dV1rt7hd6F76X5N6o7XOkOOZrSzpwAcb5GXGGP52147HPdozaLrTyOS1U/s400/VS2.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Violet Saberwing<br />My personal favourite!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfuCWW8iPdgx2_ihwysYx4BF8OK09FkYS0Vsu0a8g-jgNUQEvesJ1Y7mjp0UKdmB_o_tSC1gTbvwSPc7d1VvGMM3qX-UkE3kfLR2Lvio5QV1gG-zZWKSYDSymNEiUIda8IUeDcoYqlyI/s1600/VS3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1299" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfuCWW8iPdgx2_ihwysYx4BF8OK09FkYS0Vsu0a8g-jgNUQEvesJ1Y7mjp0UKdmB_o_tSC1gTbvwSPc7d1VvGMM3qX-UkE3kfLR2Lvio5QV1gG-zZWKSYDSymNEiUIda8IUeDcoYqlyI/s400/VS3.jpg" width="323" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Violet Saberwing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjnAjQd_L1x3GteBUHBQfJf9PWYwWbxYW-igtQBIPq033qMYTNiBhjaFw7xotdwxGIyT7J5fo7xAuMPr6SOB9Mdu0z-J3pOCERgdxsCibvf0Z2MzB0hd5cbKGJ9wQJDWFlU9w3UfG4sU/s1600/GTMG1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1458" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjnAjQd_L1x3GteBUHBQfJf9PWYwWbxYW-igtQBIPq033qMYTNiBhjaFw7xotdwxGIyT7J5fo7xAuMPr6SOB9Mdu0z-J3pOCERgdxsCibvf0Z2MzB0hd5cbKGJ9wQJDWFlU9w3UfG4sU/s400/GTMG1.jpg" width="363" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green-throated Mountain Gem</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /><div>
Our last remaining task is to climb Pacaya volcano later that night to try and film the lava flowing from its summit. We leave Antigua in the early hours to make the ascent and see our goal an hour later. At sunrise we are able to appreciate the surrounding view and it's breathtaking to say the least. Standing on a volcano, looking at three other volcanoes is a sight I will never forget.<div>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdwvyrP6-hYOho62Vy_a5la8xPZdMTQZg0LEOuCTxbBGw-Fmqi-hV_L58nDqVQRJ1jfqmzTgWvAvLrogCOS-ZDVgjoy3xGfiqCUgnkb5G_pCGP0B8y11hGJadEvhlykkrli9sLsuQsos/s1600/20191005_061730.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdwvyrP6-hYOho62Vy_a5la8xPZdMTQZg0LEOuCTxbBGw-Fmqi-hV_L58nDqVQRJ1jfqmzTgWvAvLrogCOS-ZDVgjoy3xGfiqCUgnkb5G_pCGP0B8y11hGJadEvhlykkrli9sLsuQsos/s400/20191005_061730.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Pacaya towards Agua, Acatenango and Fuego volcanoes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEjUu4mcap20bIjB5rcXtZnMqCmXZ8V0Ili_eXdwS2sCAu5bsYFQswDhERqzaPaA-CrWyWuNHFefu3mIQ9iqQk-Y84W4iU8hyphenhypheni0tf_3uElW8qyTpM4BFQ-fO8rTIGqlqVOyhtyRtk_A4/s1600/20191005_061741.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEjUu4mcap20bIjB5rcXtZnMqCmXZ8V0Ili_eXdwS2sCAu5bsYFQswDhERqzaPaA-CrWyWuNHFefu3mIQ9iqQk-Y84W4iU8hyphenhypheni0tf_3uElW8qyTpM4BFQ-fO8rTIGqlqVOyhtyRtk_A4/s400/20191005_061741.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our friendly mules that helped carry all the gear.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxUDBQT2ZyB41MDMEsJmrWOPyXKR2BGz3uwsU_vMiUHZ-1MfQG0EJ2baH5VpmD1_NKtG5tAKBRkun_-f1tXjxSLv5ZLQLeCpvtYmSo9TvP1Oom_AdMPq2QxFW5YsPkUPesQBAZNJ3h18/s1600/20191005_062034.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxUDBQT2ZyB41MDMEsJmrWOPyXKR2BGz3uwsU_vMiUHZ-1MfQG0EJ2baH5VpmD1_NKtG5tAKBRkun_-f1tXjxSLv5ZLQLeCpvtYmSo9TvP1Oom_AdMPq2QxFW5YsPkUPesQBAZNJ3h18/s400/20191005_062034.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pacaya blowing smoke rings!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisP_dlmvQesBNGm3Doa7swM7GlF6AuC8h69miZPPKo-Aly5BGsilvG38a03xIni5Ki6RKjxji6RpML4IKDGvPMyeZrncfNOvFYITGHEkJKHQRVxEKlI5tMF0xVVeMkOuMMhNl0ASjoYf4/s1600/20191005_063308.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisP_dlmvQesBNGm3Doa7swM7GlF6AuC8h69miZPPKo-Aly5BGsilvG38a03xIni5Ki6RKjxji6RpML4IKDGvPMyeZrncfNOvFYITGHEkJKHQRVxEKlI5tMF0xVVeMkOuMMhNl0ASjoYf4/s400/20191005_063308.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of our support team - we couldn't<br />have reached the summit without them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This seemed a very fitting way to finish our filming trip to Guatemala. I can't recommend this country enough, it's stunningly beautiful, it has an incredible array of birds and other wildlife, the people are just lovely and above all - it's safe! As safe as any country I've ever visited and I would go back in a heartbeat.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
To see the beauty of the volcano and make your own judgements about Guatemala...you'll have to wait for the film to air in 2020!</div>
</div>
</div>rharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010076940674472737.post-76660733796410406552019-12-27T20:40:00.006+00:002020-12-04T20:34:27.887+00:00Guatemala...Los TarralesIt’s about a five-hour drive from the volcanoes of Sibinal to the lakeside town of Panajahel. We have to get there before the last passenger ferry boat of the day sails to Santiago Atitlan, so there’s little time to stop for breaks. As we drive we pass through any number of small towns and villages, all of whom seem to have their farmer’s market in full flow. The streets are lined with Maya faces, men and women in colourful traditional dress, it's a magical sight.<br />
<br />
We arrive in Panajahel in good time, load the boat with equipment and head out onto the lake. Described as ‘the most beautiful lake in the world’, I cannot disagree...Lake Atitlan is stunningly beautiful and not somewhere I ever expected to see. Most famous for the now extinct Atitlan Grebe, Lake Atitlan is around 240 m deep and ringed by volcanoes. We stop for lunch at the <a href="http://ecobambu.com/" target="_blank">Restaurante Bambu</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rzwUP43k8LymW92avVet12eI-3bUtGiJFq2WsdigmWV-oDRxeBX96S6lihzWaZWd2qvzPQ_6LNyPI9lqirDwfuIWDTzttbdN58_230yuGdo88SaFyFeCWy30BSsw6fvTpGoaKn8WfyI/s1600/20191002_101928.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rzwUP43k8LymW92avVet12eI-3bUtGiJFq2WsdigmWV-oDRxeBX96S6lihzWaZWd2qvzPQ_6LNyPI9lqirDwfuIWDTzttbdN58_230yuGdo88SaFyFeCWy30BSsw6fvTpGoaKn8WfyI/s400/20191002_101928.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Atitlan once held its own endemic grebebut sadly<br />
no longer. The last Atitlan Grebe vanished in 1989</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBqPE4CBN8AsVLbU1iFyKFdfFpphgbn_Lh0g_7Ho55bUIeBK2yjucsB_avw7rgnlM7hDORwaQrzHMGJzyu_ALUshxvx91t6xL90Y1GbUkBtBmsSRiATjfNE53qbtTOdNLfvMtlLEvvjI/s1600/20191002_132449.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBqPE4CBN8AsVLbU1iFyKFdfFpphgbn_Lh0g_7Ho55bUIeBK2yjucsB_avw7rgnlM7hDORwaQrzHMGJzyu_ALUshxvx91t6xL90Y1GbUkBtBmsSRiATjfNE53qbtTOdNLfvMtlLEvvjI/s400/20191002_132449.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santiago Atitlan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUc4fnkRchJJ93PyLXt3PqhTzAZEVYtR1YvV1rw2fCZtqtmma6hSdU-aQCMK5BpHQz2MipnYWqXamgbk_RzXavdL5XQTu1ThJdAoR56n8lQpr7T8nGr_7r73nq8I8ibmqtvSF8_yaJL8E/s1600/20191003_055956.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUc4fnkRchJJ93PyLXt3PqhTzAZEVYtR1YvV1rw2fCZtqtmma6hSdU-aQCMK5BpHQz2MipnYWqXamgbk_RzXavdL5XQTu1ThJdAoR56n8lQpr7T8nGr_7r73nq8I8ibmqtvSF8_yaJL8E/s400/20191003_055956.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Atitlan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
We leave after lunch for the final leg of our journey to <a href="https://www.tarralesreserve.com/" target="_blank">Los Tarrales Nature Reserve</a>, stopping off only for a new hummer, the Slender Sheartail, before reaching our final destination of the day.<br />
<br />
Early the next morning we are up and filming at Los Tarrales. This incredible 1300 hectare reserve is also a working coffee farm and the number of species found here is staggering. The garden and bird feeders are heaving with activity.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EUIEhByL9VzB6MyTcKWRYwuxFWOv0_AfNDWXQNvfwNDRV2KV-S4ghQ0gwB0tiOkf_NqTu2XMQwYom7JYXTmljW8p5Gdk5VaGKzWnV3ml1I03LRNVtAL8VAyi0psNHjP8ejPTejBnXLw/s1600/BO4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1191" data-original-width="1600" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EUIEhByL9VzB6MyTcKWRYwuxFWOv0_AfNDWXQNvfwNDRV2KV-S4ghQ0gwB0tiOkf_NqTu2XMQwYom7JYXTmljW8p5Gdk5VaGKzWnV3ml1I03LRNVtAL8VAyi0psNHjP8ejPTejBnXLw/s400/BO4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baltimore Oriole, male</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1A5zucxHRDK6LBkK_-w0oLrCiPXUYPsU2kTbjM4s-0AMrdA4Y4BHKrIdgKBhqQ4RXsa816eHxkHGr5uLRX_33Viw9azUNrFsfyiNszefNN-g6BTRK1bRdMUekLJZUsJcQeoGny1a6utU/s1600/BO.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="1600" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1A5zucxHRDK6LBkK_-w0oLrCiPXUYPsU2kTbjM4s-0AMrdA4Y4BHKrIdgKBhqQ4RXsa816eHxkHGr5uLRX_33Viw9azUNrFsfyiNszefNN-g6BTRK1bRdMUekLJZUsJcQeoGny1a6utU/s400/BO.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Baltimore Oriole, female</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgy6Pv7Q7vqZZNpidyziABvoD1gV_7brO-zaChmA1wb-rfNN9ntLBaoABIi8ySxi57iZz8HQqqv_xvpPYSuA3sAuFBpG9qCw975Gw0vBIuYtm4Ak-53rR6z0NOYCZ1yIvRfhHnkzG2Pc/s1600/BWO.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1286" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgy6Pv7Q7vqZZNpidyziABvoD1gV_7brO-zaChmA1wb-rfNN9ntLBaoABIi8ySxi57iZz8HQqqv_xvpPYSuA3sAuFBpG9qCw975Gw0vBIuYtm4Ak-53rR6z0NOYCZ1yIvRfhHnkzG2Pc/s400/BWO.jpg" width="321" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black and White Owl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TfA-zrORQucNIFOsBgD8QXP5wzLEWbMMlu3-u8ygwtBU_G9WeWMnrlryn62AdTJawXQAb5AvoQlrWXNLZYykrCZ9Mk0IIDHtOq530XsCGvVrj_rHX3iBsXpT5U7xeB3cSLGcJ8zqcjw/s1600/GFW3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1498" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TfA-zrORQucNIFOsBgD8QXP5wzLEWbMMlu3-u8ygwtBU_G9WeWMnrlryn62AdTJawXQAb5AvoQlrWXNLZYykrCZ9Mk0IIDHtOq530XsCGvVrj_rHX3iBsXpT5U7xeB3cSLGcJ8zqcjw/s400/GFW3.jpg" width="373" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden-fronted Woodpecker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwr-iUUI59P8Q31sAcQ1xEmvdC7wBcauVBz2GpfF3Hgi-HrvUZBtZi8swgdeEjNcIaOxaxR5qHZ35eRUI_KJl5dQUVA6L2pT-_Xa9svkx9Rf-BPnl3IQ8U18oviyxZWHSCcKkSPqH29A/s1600/LMM.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwr-iUUI59P8Q31sAcQ1xEmvdC7wBcauVBz2GpfF3Hgi-HrvUZBtZi8swgdeEjNcIaOxaxR5qHZ35eRUI_KJl5dQUVA6L2pT-_Xa9svkx9Rf-BPnl3IQ8U18oviyxZWHSCcKkSPqH29A/s400/LMM.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesson's Motmot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Sb68JgQLy88mm2pSFNl7WSl6pkoABt5X0FKaVSLm_Y-Fr3p9QlniFrr6OKu0bcD8sh8lY3j30-mTSW9Cw2MDiu319GRSMXNXuF0qEf5XT8hhNUeqxZY0QF3_CsPmkIt6YoRIrKJAIo0/s1600/MB.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Sb68JgQLy88mm2pSFNl7WSl6pkoABt5X0FKaVSLm_Y-Fr3p9QlniFrr6OKu0bcD8sh8lY3j30-mTSW9Cw2MDiu319GRSMXNXuF0qEf5XT8hhNUeqxZY0QF3_CsPmkIt6YoRIrKJAIo0/s400/MB.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melodious Blackbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZWRVTiiP1jbrAaLWpAxdX02N4MdYzEyFxnZgyPprOSvu1w3Od4CIFA38gYxEWdUTBp_JUknzyoB4qSmP97Pflmhvfz5TZshFgYcGzFldDF301UHgIeoEVzIUazz3RHCHK_JVIFuG4cw/s1600/OO.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="1600" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZWRVTiiP1jbrAaLWpAxdX02N4MdYzEyFxnZgyPprOSvu1w3Od4CIFA38gYxEWdUTBp_JUknzyoB4qSmP97Pflmhvfz5TZshFgYcGzFldDF301UHgIeoEVzIUazz3RHCHK_JVIFuG4cw/s400/OO.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchard Oriole, immature male</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUxBEqy0sSB1-dIO9Nsj8Fr1kFG6ZvpG-TvBtXITQ-Lfc1kDeE4l8utIxA0OjUDFkFptj7qDEKXSxieGyyCPOJdXRf2ErzRFjURuLQmjulbqUboI3R_cJxMRRed1atcBLKqllZXTVnYY/s1600/RH.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1495" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUxBEqy0sSB1-dIO9Nsj8Fr1kFG6ZvpG-TvBtXITQ-Lfc1kDeE4l8utIxA0OjUDFkFptj7qDEKXSxieGyyCPOJdXRf2ErzRFjURuLQmjulbqUboI3R_cJxMRRed1atcBLKqllZXTVnYY/s400/RH.jpg" width="372" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinnamon Hummingbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1Fa2tiGzlTAgYRkHMVGZCZ-z0rK_V8yvEafLlrYLl4wfKcAUXTO24rrinzmNX3kwkhtXu-J3xWoI7MwpDvjo-NhdpZ9fLpA47csRCfphBGivi7sz61wLO5tz3QoJjDlblwQxpYU9PU0/s1600/SBO2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1Fa2tiGzlTAgYRkHMVGZCZ-z0rK_V8yvEafLlrYLl4wfKcAUXTO24rrinzmNX3kwkhtXu-J3xWoI7MwpDvjo-NhdpZ9fLpA47csRCfphBGivi7sz61wLO5tz3QoJjDlblwQxpYU9PU0/s400/SBO2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spot-breasted Oriole</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2nWtVVZhS0gATBdUKzeH-1RCo3iaXa-LhQmXQspr38LqLyaS-dbEmihN2d4mUNMKE1q98uelKO7bT7A0KYqVgNBP6XHQPv7ekbY9V368s0OeQ80kja-ealvZE-vNLgqX0KoTbTsINqw/s1600/WBC.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1415" data-original-width="1600" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2nWtVVZhS0gATBdUKzeH-1RCo3iaXa-LhQmXQspr38LqLyaS-dbEmihN2d4mUNMKE1q98uelKO7bT7A0KYqVgNBP6XHQPv7ekbY9V368s0OeQ80kja-ealvZE-vNLgqX0KoTbTsINqw/s400/WBC.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-bellied Chachalaca</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5g8zSUJYhi2D03d7EFaFC1EOYLXa-3Q6bQrFNAFBrxRRYO6TL1731yYiEm3PT0U0uJn8EbXePZ91CEK5WkQPIvXfT8qAGsuXVQdUTCSHrHkW9rjVnbWswQLS3nGESCs5iVdKJ104RHA/s1600/YTE.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1600" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5g8zSUJYhi2D03d7EFaFC1EOYLXa-3Q6bQrFNAFBrxRRYO6TL1731yYiEm3PT0U0uJn8EbXePZ91CEK5WkQPIvXfT8qAGsuXVQdUTCSHrHkW9rjVnbWswQLS3nGESCs5iVdKJ104RHA/s400/YTE.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-throated Euphonia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhyphenhyphen5PuRA4TcRr-4IRK24o6X-Unkebt7SOoyjxOEzz6HtIUbNefP1Z5XG9IqiLHpMXEiFn8BxlvgCiIv9lvUM_Vbqvkzpb3o3bjZzGOM4nx-BUWblpNJP1BTZGy3TElcrboBO03mmWldQ/s1600/YWT2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1600" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhyphenhyphen5PuRA4TcRr-4IRK24o6X-Unkebt7SOoyjxOEzz6HtIUbNefP1Z5XG9IqiLHpMXEiFn8BxlvgCiIv9lvUM_Vbqvkzpb3o3bjZzGOM4nx-BUWblpNJP1BTZGy3TElcrboBO03mmWldQ/s400/YWT2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-winged Tanager</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It wasn't all about the birds though. Agoutis were running around the garden along with White-tailed deer and we found a Bull Snake and a beautiful Middle-American Indigo Snake, <i>Drymarchon melanurus </i>around the old farm buildings too. This is a very widespread species that will feed on rodents and other snakes, including the highly venomous Terciopelo! It is completely immune to the venom.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFf2IQe7N_Gq_eUTtd5YG1JoXa9aLT8MQAHTK2dxu40qAhZXqh-O3GLbMfrT5mJXwmICAtxPY7pbA6wJEw9Wnb58hJT26WIJokZYVkOCQQwyKX0E2GbNt3D250j3asdJ1q79ZkXByCGE/s1600/20191003_125939.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFf2IQe7N_Gq_eUTtd5YG1JoXa9aLT8MQAHTK2dxu40qAhZXqh-O3GLbMfrT5mJXwmICAtxPY7pbA6wJEw9Wnb58hJT26WIJokZYVkOCQQwyKX0E2GbNt3D250j3asdJ1q79ZkXByCGE/s400/20191003_125939.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bull Snake, <i>Pituophis catenenfer say</i>i</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4Ud5W8QKQRnNCxmk2I7Mk5My_w5dhDxCf8tK4fjC8rkUg-w05rSYsKhLRrhRRQLvc7WCbns3oQLfuJc96zBuPD-LJRXG6sU6mVZzV8jiAxlUXzR27udWniUJSbpxc-FboPXA3aoQKTY/s1600/20191003_125943.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4Ud5W8QKQRnNCxmk2I7Mk5My_w5dhDxCf8tK4fjC8rkUg-w05rSYsKhLRrhRRQLvc7WCbns3oQLfuJc96zBuPD-LJRXG6sU6mVZzV8jiAxlUXzR27udWniUJSbpxc-FboPXA3aoQKTY/s400/20191003_125943.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bull Snake, <i>Pituophis catenenfer say</i>i</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNZlNTDk3zhMw9AlJTZBbnG0oN7709YQ3eMqzMKvfSL0N-bpudytRf7qF7ZztSlktBdEghuAMzW3Z0bhAXTA8ntfs2oWpqHb1DG0g0cGbwRUv6QQrPA-Ov41bggQAT2WVr5RCd_i9x4A/s1600/IS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="1600" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNZlNTDk3zhMw9AlJTZBbnG0oN7709YQ3eMqzMKvfSL0N-bpudytRf7qF7ZztSlktBdEghuAMzW3Z0bhAXTA8ntfs2oWpqHb1DG0g0cGbwRUv6QQrPA-Ov41bggQAT2WVr5RCd_i9x4A/s400/IS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Indigo Snake, </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Drymarchon melanurus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Having finished the filming here it was time to head back to our original schedule and retrace our steps back to Antigua for hummingbirds and volcanoes...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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rharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010076940674472737.post-3790278082872267602019-12-20T20:07:00.000+00:002019-12-20T20:07:26.339+00:00Guatemala...SibinalWith rain putting our plans to film volcanoes on hold at Antigua, we head to Sibinal and the volcanic slopes of the Pacific coast. This is an incredibly beautiful area and our bird guide Daniel Schumann is very excited as there are some great species to be seen and filmed here. The first of those is found withing an hour of arriving and is the main bird I wanted to see on this trip, Pink-headed Warbler. Not the best photos as they never stop moving and (yes, it was raining!) but not bad for the bridge camera. I'm loving the Nikon P1000.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KlXS9D0mlr3TCgYdhDuh5D3hVIoKlm8LJExTYrAum1sviOWzr30FroEvAhUfKmEe0jDRattoS_JV9SOnJYCsQ8lakbRX2vv9mJ3VxkNcQwc4YM0gbVquH2a_6r1uc5ESeK2uTrBCpXY/s1600/PHW3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KlXS9D0mlr3TCgYdhDuh5D3hVIoKlm8LJExTYrAum1sviOWzr30FroEvAhUfKmEe0jDRattoS_JV9SOnJYCsQ8lakbRX2vv9mJ3VxkNcQwc4YM0gbVquH2a_6r1uc5ESeK2uTrBCpXY/s400/PHW3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink-headed Warbler, Sibinal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jaovKM4TrFYBDawoyYgXhZm-8r17C7QAFt45fUzAhjoMVJhAU7njJU-RypHy5V0ajuU8ltQCa06Dt7FIQcCbwT3ahHNRC4rf2ekc-GHID7kotuhHogDJCw7WF6coc3XhEa0jPAgN6GY/s1600/PHW4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="1600" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jaovKM4TrFYBDawoyYgXhZm-8r17C7QAFt45fUzAhjoMVJhAU7njJU-RypHy5V0ajuU8ltQCa06Dt7FIQcCbwT3ahHNRC4rf2ekc-GHID7kotuhHogDJCw7WF6coc3XhEa0jPAgN6GY/s400/PHW4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink-headed Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNJVkfWWvfMKGjdESWGWPeyLLPQ8SMTR7GK66vv6_v_I2e1RCgLNzajchiRkvqgaiCU_UZxqUlI0snJHIXT4pclHy2ofuCmSaXeW2VHvEIWS4El7mLqSjPeodBzaE8tdbySkjYddQ2Ok/s1600/PHW6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNJVkfWWvfMKGjdESWGWPeyLLPQ8SMTR7GK66vv6_v_I2e1RCgLNzajchiRkvqgaiCU_UZxqUlI0snJHIXT4pclHy2ofuCmSaXeW2VHvEIWS4El7mLqSjPeodBzaE8tdbySkjYddQ2Ok/s400/PHW6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharpest photo but burnt out the pink head sadly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
These awesome little birds are something to behold. They are active and almost constantly calling or singing as they flit around the tree tops. By choosing a position up-slope we managed to get great eye-level views.<br />
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When the sun shone, the scenery was hard to beat.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfLnp718br-hb_qR3SIvNyYm2RzxmNFMHLog2eT9pgp1hUITBajm3SY2oMzswFJQtJaAbwPaUw8rX2XIj-m2HyQxsJevKLJ7CN03SRh-BZDxbJ6R2j6UnPH99Rr1LIqairsMSEilsPWk/s1600/20190929_095541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfLnp718br-hb_qR3SIvNyYm2RzxmNFMHLog2eT9pgp1hUITBajm3SY2oMzswFJQtJaAbwPaUw8rX2XIj-m2HyQxsJevKLJ7CN03SRh-BZDxbJ6R2j6UnPH99Rr1LIqairsMSEilsPWk/s400/20190929_095541.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the road towards Lake Atitlan<br />enroute to Sibinal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPPt03UD3BAb3acVubBn3vTOvEOKFftBbas8AIHN9d4qpgSOTuOxquF2Imc1xeg0EzjigUpKKeOMznyjmxnGCfBWDmSy_s_H2mtbp9a6PS4GMUysirLLIWsgYX3RwokqvKm6TvMKFGT4/s1600/20190930_075309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPPt03UD3BAb3acVubBn3vTOvEOKFftBbas8AIHN9d4qpgSOTuOxquF2Imc1xeg0EzjigUpKKeOMznyjmxnGCfBWDmSy_s_H2mtbp9a6PS4GMUysirLLIWsgYX3RwokqvKm6TvMKFGT4/s400/20190930_075309.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink-headed Warbler and Horned Guan country!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uGw7j5D2-T36nJdeHUYB5aVLl4iFU9XbwofEEGbtZN8GexFxI7VAR2BLITivX8qnoA57Xj1_4fBb9lE-TpzovZMhc1qKfwUdABfD0mXVhlm13ccadczp11obeXtoAxurzYaR7C2LLe8/s1600/20190930_095446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uGw7j5D2-T36nJdeHUYB5aVLl4iFU9XbwofEEGbtZN8GexFxI7VAR2BLITivX8qnoA57Xj1_4fBb9lE-TpzovZMhc1qKfwUdABfD0mXVhlm13ccadczp11obeXtoAxurzYaR7C2LLe8/s400/20190930_095446.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vega del volcan - 3200 m above sea level<br />I had early signs of altitude sickness here!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekfVlaqbBoqgT1-jnLvpgkiR9jP6C36DXqQoZTH-W8cRdGtsdvOgI6MiefU1dlIZ5hSVoGgjr4nOMrU4CNEZD9wgKmIb5E9si2RpufxDCJMEKgLPkiTnfVZLwu-AxWC1p-yWwwqlTC5k/s1600/20190930_150321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekfVlaqbBoqgT1-jnLvpgkiR9jP6C36DXqQoZTH-W8cRdGtsdvOgI6MiefU1dlIZ5hSVoGgjr4nOMrU4CNEZD9wgKmIb5E9si2RpufxDCJMEKgLPkiTnfVZLwu-AxWC1p-yWwwqlTC5k/s400/20190930_150321.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The son of our host out in the thunderstorm...not<br />sure the brolly's a good idea?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDOIOxj2_YU3IeAH-W9uy_llVqblZbnALR4B_Pcadx_n9hhaSwy9bsPmJbaPfrNORlDmIq6BElNl-yAiCIYesQb1O1IkWQ0Y10FXnDKING2hegLyfcJKPro_TDDO2U0z90Nk1pUmTD0A/s1600/20190930_180042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDOIOxj2_YU3IeAH-W9uy_llVqblZbnALR4B_Pcadx_n9hhaSwy9bsPmJbaPfrNORlDmIq6BElNl-yAiCIYesQb1O1IkWQ0Y10FXnDKING2hegLyfcJKPro_TDDO2U0z90Nk1pUmTD0A/s400/20190930_180042.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cameraman Mike Hutchinson filming the sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZoaNaSs5NEptKN_P5eQBcp5VMry9gRbNcDrI8LiPU1hDopa6uuU4hjH0UdcJm3qqJR5BAlEyZ_6OwUpVTbXPSVlvn7rnLVVoq9o9v4B28x-gb06seUWTOGArGPWGlCz1Lp2fsG36eDU/s1600/20191001_055204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZoaNaSs5NEptKN_P5eQBcp5VMry9gRbNcDrI8LiPU1hDopa6uuU4hjH0UdcJm3qqJR5BAlEyZ_6OwUpVTbXPSVlvn7rnLVVoq9o9v4B28x-gb06seUWTOGArGPWGlCz1Lp2fsG36eDU/s400/20191001_055204.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sunrise from the same view point<br />The volcano Tajumulco on the right of the photo<br />is the tallest point in Central America</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZgKnDsgksQbtXbLoDmmPBI5VrqyuXYG-3bd5_UuhUx-L2v9A8Po6X63AqidI_X-e9eVpA_hfFkRk-9TKBg1crvuUmJnm8GjN8VHEb9PWWMELIzsJ1A22Hj51rXMOqgCPybex9PP2TN0/s1600/20191001_055322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="1600" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZgKnDsgksQbtXbLoDmmPBI5VrqyuXYG-3bd5_UuhUx-L2v9A8Po6X63AqidI_X-e9eVpA_hfFkRk-9TKBg1crvuUmJnm8GjN8VHEb9PWWMELIzsJ1A22Hj51rXMOqgCPybex9PP2TN0/s400/20191001_055322.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were Broad-tailed Hummingbirds on the bushes in front.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquLu8pR-QrGOiBBwWD6tqwd2clBGnyA_G-j6UBhKgEQWmvmf-Z7meqmOOb6aYC5F3pjVvFcBkWG0pvDn2dQDfrTTcSBL56cHBfzRXDXN-qN6XS2BWW1fJhm3q_ajRJq_nqYBAEHXJ1m4/s1600/20191001_055518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquLu8pR-QrGOiBBwWD6tqwd2clBGnyA_G-j6UBhKgEQWmvmf-Z7meqmOOb6aYC5F3pjVvFcBkWG0pvDn2dQDfrTTcSBL56cHBfzRXDXN-qN6XS2BWW1fJhm3q_ajRJq_nqYBAEHXJ1m4/s400/20191001_055518.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nigel enjoying the view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_gj7I0MRMbv2K_mR9xqn408f9Mgo0M6a2u9Bm8dxQq9NFhuf-q_1a21bta_uQQQkdggYErrRFfJ0IG2j5jIUGzN28dqcc5_vzNotjnhpCZUroyOPTzM5togWRCe69eA7L6LX7XSBEds/s1600/20191001_060049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_gj7I0MRMbv2K_mR9xqn408f9Mgo0M6a2u9Bm8dxQq9NFhuf-q_1a21bta_uQQQkdggYErrRFfJ0IG2j5jIUGzN28dqcc5_vzNotjnhpCZUroyOPTzM5togWRCe69eA7L6LX7XSBEds/s400/20191001_060049.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early dawn with Tajumulco on the left looking down<br />towards Chiapas, Mexico</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJy3u5TAlnr_N7iNXut0u6Cm-KMVsslOsJtrdxqNNmalXKL1mcw9Pw7CvVcRuXsnXf8U2HFTR-iSap5Hsj3_2RLcksPYTWeiBesUFzMNiPIk84vIKVbM1-IIKWghiLisBb3fIlYCtWZ-c/s1600/ST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJy3u5TAlnr_N7iNXut0u6Cm-KMVsslOsJtrdxqNNmalXKL1mcw9Pw7CvVcRuXsnXf8U2HFTR-iSap5Hsj3_2RLcksPYTWeiBesUFzMNiPIk84vIKVbM1-IIKWghiLisBb3fIlYCtWZ-c/s400/ST.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Towhee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEab8uuqUPzW99tubjxVfiA0UwxVAJLmdTmN_xRT1WfZFJB1mm_JKRgougbg1dYS1ejiqdlzyrjrmb15Lglotx56rHFMYd1v6xwL_q2CAePPTgi3Kc54hBGtgl26qVhyphenhyphencrKqrKJp_TU_A/s1600/Townsends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1600" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEab8uuqUPzW99tubjxVfiA0UwxVAJLmdTmN_xRT1WfZFJB1mm_JKRgougbg1dYS1ejiqdlzyrjrmb15Lglotx56rHFMYd1v6xwL_q2CAePPTgi3Kc54hBGtgl26qVhyphenhyphencrKqrKJp_TU_A/s400/Townsends.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Townsend's Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflgnu01TTiqhKDkD1wLLnvgdqm2zT2EB0PrYLGnXyL5rP5IyC6pEQYYvKT2IIS_nkRt_R5ecCT4mUFFEXvCMMn-dmAdClTtO_DlWkglQ4c6ZaM3dauaefjbv2VzQw4dVo44Pwly8Uhqs/s1600/YEJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1163" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflgnu01TTiqhKDkD1wLLnvgdqm2zT2EB0PrYLGnXyL5rP5IyC6pEQYYvKT2IIS_nkRt_R5ecCT4mUFFEXvCMMn-dmAdClTtO_DlWkglQ4c6ZaM3dauaefjbv2VzQw4dVo44Pwly8Uhqs/s400/YEJ.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-eyed Junco</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmv2AgOk6VZzoHeBNxpiKwT9_eGzzV6-T6XgfCwCMLCOiA-gOXUigEs2BQw2f0D4PNPQGF4vNcgwXxh86ZRykdKpQYBdw11hUnE_noXF3MFMdgb1CM7CDyISajP_LSGCZVqwvSg0aLvM8/s1600/YNBF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmv2AgOk6VZzoHeBNxpiKwT9_eGzzV6-T6XgfCwCMLCOiA-gOXUigEs2BQw2f0D4PNPQGF4vNcgwXxh86ZRykdKpQYBdw11hUnE_noXF3MFMdgb1CM7CDyISajP_LSGCZVqwvSg0aLvM8/s400/YNBF.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-naped Brushfinch (formerly Yellow-throated...<br />not sure why they changed it?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWsvfUCajOVDWXQSA9zd-1HE_3kbMpMgpRe7t7rIbTr3wQZf42FYvhZ90kWH6xt4f4ZZD9IyfJZd1WMqgAV_KN5Fv3y9uMR3JExa3Gwtkyw7e4CVmZVUZx5r65mBckiLkt1Y76dnAEUY/s1600/BHS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWsvfUCajOVDWXQSA9zd-1HE_3kbMpMgpRe7t7rIbTr3wQZf42FYvhZ90kWH6xt4f4ZZD9IyfJZd1WMqgAV_KN5Fv3y9uMR3JExa3Gwtkyw7e4CVmZVUZx5r65mBckiLkt1Y76dnAEUY/s400/BHS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-headed Siskin<br />Much brighter than in the books!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQNh2UWvOELiQLa00Q6fMx3fGLdulN9GaWn31oL3fzKN41-NDyBQRklvUUhuiPwI1qOM14NHOqjRvGMomYnaLXCfBZF7RaGFY2q2JoPoQLL07Tv5tp1WFkb9EQCYyi-VL3YElr1Gw90M/s1600/BJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1600" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQNh2UWvOELiQLa00Q6fMx3fGLdulN9GaWn31oL3fzKN41-NDyBQRklvUUhuiPwI1qOM14NHOqjRvGMomYnaLXCfBZF7RaGFY2q2JoPoQLL07Tv5tp1WFkb9EQCYyi-VL3YElr1Gw90M/s400/BJ.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stella's Jay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKCNtpgKHgQyoe2z0XrQR3HBZko4oZqlADsWrqQsJWUm2lj6FfS_U5bENpHH1xyzd_amwhEYPFVQmnlHGAW6QDzK82jH5cKGT_nSJhyphenhyphenqlmakLlxJqHd0xDC38w3E1CSYyMITCyqpJknY/s1600/EB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKCNtpgKHgQyoe2z0XrQR3HBZko4oZqlADsWrqQsJWUm2lj6FfS_U5bENpHH1xyzd_amwhEYPFVQmnlHGAW6QDzK82jH5cKGT_nSJhyphenhyphenqlmakLlxJqHd0xDC38w3E1CSYyMITCyqpJknY/s400/EB.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Bluebird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhazbL7mp9ZfdBWu6DxbSy_3Zg6XoBgVPRjvL4N7ezZ0nb4Y_DFkxImBZtZPgttXTxb_4lA6sfpOdfgV4coXay4OFrRg6N8GPNwdHy_ZM2QUOGqerlrB3byp25Ft2_s9QE8jzaJGjcwU/s1600/RCS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1600" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhazbL7mp9ZfdBWu6DxbSy_3Zg6XoBgVPRjvL4N7ezZ0nb4Y_DFkxImBZtZPgttXTxb_4lA6sfpOdfgV4coXay4OFrRg6N8GPNwdHy_ZM2QUOGqerlrB3byp25Ft2_s9QE8jzaJGjcwU/s400/RCS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rufous-collared Sparrow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCe5TPhtBYMDg0iv4RouCa_wSYt127sQ-PhQtK_frwFardVhESfYvjr9rd6TFBIp0BaPBvYkPkFEcIVyUFo2xrLA2Mgm2XqBraDQzHrspD_WUdB2fSV6TN8Ss9yW23eVCVhwXzAqdT28/s1600/RCT2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="1600" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCe5TPhtBYMDg0iv4RouCa_wSYt127sQ-PhQtK_frwFardVhESfYvjr9rd6TFBIp0BaPBvYkPkFEcIVyUFo2xrLA2Mgm2XqBraDQzHrspD_WUdB2fSV6TN8Ss9yW23eVCVhwXzAqdT28/s400/RCT2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rufous-collared Thrush</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnTAkCyvfM46GmDWIDZlS6bx0Ir8pCs30QcnYofk4BtODADKjQafr2hjx7tpf2SqEOmwpfg4VImCerNLdabHxTiawuE4XMD4y5BIyGv88Bml3rxE22YG81JmPbVA1b5mQpEIs_JdbS7k/s1600/RCT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1009" data-original-width="1600" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnTAkCyvfM46GmDWIDZlS6bx0Ir8pCs30QcnYofk4BtODADKjQafr2hjx7tpf2SqEOmwpfg4VImCerNLdabHxTiawuE4XMD4y5BIyGv88Bml3rxE22YG81JmPbVA1b5mQpEIs_JdbS7k/s400/RCT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunning birds - same size as a European Blackbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2sqbUSITPy6m90M1GAqla0uO_ty606jOaZOEikUAfQKdzGMS1DRydPs48_YpbOuOEIaByLtkY1SZlzwzZ0orqLNKElbNRFmmMP1MuFx3l95NfzMAFFWsgLoT8Uz636CPEdwV-aahSgo/s1600/ST3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2sqbUSITPy6m90M1GAqla0uO_ty606jOaZOEikUAfQKdzGMS1DRydPs48_YpbOuOEIaByLtkY1SZlzwzZ0orqLNKElbNRFmmMP1MuFx3l95NfzMAFFWsgLoT8Uz636CPEdwV-aahSgo/s400/ST3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Tanager</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaxY1ioYE_D_zJfLansgZNE08Z14CqWt3HXOO3O6gKGWqP0rZdcu6BmU7j5QYd5Ntbr9SYtuD-VT6AMZykaZgDd6wwrpbOnEb8sefi1TeRfeR9ZTPDonCHwqT6bYB4mhJ67Zt1HrDXxw/s1600/ST4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="1600" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaxY1ioYE_D_zJfLansgZNE08Z14CqWt3HXOO3O6gKGWqP0rZdcu6BmU7j5QYd5Ntbr9SYtuD-VT6AMZykaZgDd6wwrpbOnEb8sefi1TeRfeR9ZTPDonCHwqT6bYB4mhJ67Zt1HrDXxw/s400/ST4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Tanager</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Unfortunately, after two days on site, I was worse-the-wear for altitude sickness and had to sit out the final push up the volcano to see the Horned Guan. I intend to go back and see it one day but Daniel has kindly allowed me to show one of his photos from a previous occasion to illustrate these bizarre, almost prehistoric looking birds.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxDhGc6kZj1WVo8CkMkQQA-ANZRPStO7DDNcfozqhaUt5i8CjPjc4_q4bWlqZiVGym7QvMCMuFTqXuHIleQ5cDJi7fPh63u4jb1Ebaoz__KW5KQk5pFXAQ3fXa_IP8WgBpcoyw-KFvA0/s1600/redes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxDhGc6kZj1WVo8CkMkQQA-ANZRPStO7DDNcfozqhaUt5i8CjPjc4_q4bWlqZiVGym7QvMCMuFTqXuHIleQ5cDJi7fPh63u4jb1Ebaoz__KW5KQk5pFXAQ3fXa_IP8WgBpcoyw-KFvA0/s400/redes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horned Guan, Daniel A. Schumann</td></tr>
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It was time to continue to Lake Atitlan, former home to the now extinct Atitlan Grebe. After spending a last night in Sibinal, we left early the next morning on the four-hour journey to meet with our boat to cross the lake.</div>
rharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010076940674472737.post-57488750214522537582019-12-17T20:18:00.003+00:002019-12-17T20:18:36.027+00:00Guatemala...AntiguaAntigua is a small city in the southern-central part of Guatemala that's surrounded by volcanoes. It's not too far from Guatemala city in distance but a world away in terms of architecture, culture and safety. It suffered a devastating earthquake in 1773, which destroyed many of the buildings and put an end to its 200 year reign as the country's capital. Today it's a bustling little city, very pretty and full of Maya faces. In fact 60% of the population are of Maya descent.<br />
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This was one of the last stops on our filming trip.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QPH4hPcBSgXVsuGBcuOnNS7M_DNuHY0T5XahDLK6Qgc8qS3scv-kDGNl9kBaNz8JFyvy6IydDdr8F3jXdivIGSp5eon5xnK9TkmfJkHwvG4PXBcExFuDRzB5xwQllFjJSHhJ2xszOGo/s1600/20190927_182217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QPH4hPcBSgXVsuGBcuOnNS7M_DNuHY0T5XahDLK6Qgc8qS3scv-kDGNl9kBaNz8JFyvy6IydDdr8F3jXdivIGSp5eon5xnK9TkmfJkHwvG4PXBcExFuDRzB5xwQllFjJSHhJ2xszOGo/s400/20190927_182217.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nighttime over Antigua with the Volcan Agua peeping out<br />of the clouds behind the city.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYlATq8BaoClUB5bWXw94acN0JLg4HM8phv1ZQGzG5pM0PDnFwi8pjTiWLPPKuLOL1RIXSgkv_GbOPno2-Z2h59zhmCvOf-XwXOq43w8Jo0gabvkRqEkm1_3n_3ByeNSmK4McPCdX76k/s1600/20190927_163936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYlATq8BaoClUB5bWXw94acN0JLg4HM8phv1ZQGzG5pM0PDnFwi8pjTiWLPPKuLOL1RIXSgkv_GbOPno2-Z2h59zhmCvOf-XwXOq43w8Jo0gabvkRqEkm1_3n_3ByeNSmK4McPCdX76k/s400/20190927_163936.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cobbled streets and colonial<br />architecture give a very pleasant atmosphere.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcuBW3YS-GMa759TLAWg5wkaCAGqCyLppK2kovUx_2jMq-hODCKhxBmd-UfzTzf_5tp3RATRblMi9MNwLzGUiX02XrNV3QZ25_AXHnoe0m5fxzMrG6YH_EM7BUDz6YdiNCI15OYfXIKE/s1600/20190927_164606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcuBW3YS-GMa759TLAWg5wkaCAGqCyLppK2kovUx_2jMq-hODCKhxBmd-UfzTzf_5tp3RATRblMi9MNwLzGUiX02XrNV3QZ25_AXHnoe0m5fxzMrG6YH_EM7BUDz6YdiNCI15OYfXIKE/s400/20190927_164606.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the churches that survived the earthquake.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1c2jdhyphenhyphenHiNv2RAA-S9Ii67c0tAo0BTAbpEplmLDojDr85bNNUhsnRObc1meiXAsfunsnWLnCy9Qa-wke1TS_N0_WdCc0lfJAbcj2LoxmwJy3Y95jt0zBrtkELUeH1FJXI6OWpCXioOg/s1600/20190927_170134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1c2jdhyphenhyphenHiNv2RAA-S9Ii67c0tAo0BTAbpEplmLDojDr85bNNUhsnRObc1meiXAsfunsnWLnCy9Qa-wke1TS_N0_WdCc0lfJAbcj2LoxmwJy3Y95jt0zBrtkELUeH1FJXI6OWpCXioOg/s400/20190927_170134.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City Hall...nicer than Chard's!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZNyOc1W74qHPD55vbndEZ8jLzhYIXANv9yTT7SHdf3avMh19QLnmSDpbfSNHY3eESPD3TCxjK6ZgFNnD6s1qcfubG1L1Ev9END3meFB5xEng_j05ZiJNbKxIjUbJGFwnVxtc4txaBGI/s1600/20190928_063505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZNyOc1W74qHPD55vbndEZ8jLzhYIXANv9yTT7SHdf3avMh19QLnmSDpbfSNHY3eESPD3TCxjK6ZgFNnD6s1qcfubG1L1Ev9END3meFB5xEng_j05ZiJNbKxIjUbJGFwnVxtc4txaBGI/s400/20190928_063505.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuego volcano erupts clouds of ash every<br />minute. The last major eruption took place<br />in June 2018 and killed over 2000 people!</td></tr>
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We've come here to see a very special reptile. To do so we must take a short 15 minute ride to Finca el Pilar, a private nature reserve on the edge of the cloud forest just outside the city. There's also a rare hummingbird here too but first that reptile...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbOerb5ntDhFzNS3u6RdSkxTh2RHLME-bQcG0s4u_YAsavUze2u3W_PfWC8yvYzwP6zT9eqGJIwDz4zHfzj8Frb0_bZaW12Dv1GlzPBYkann13h1MvSX3UhbKPbfcBdw-ekBIqP8xG5o/s1600/20190928_092317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbOerb5ntDhFzNS3u6RdSkxTh2RHLME-bQcG0s4u_YAsavUze2u3W_PfWC8yvYzwP6zT9eqGJIwDz4zHfzj8Frb0_bZaW12Dv1GlzPBYkann13h1MvSX3UhbKPbfcBdw-ekBIqP8xG5o/s400/20190928_092317.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tropidodipsas fischeri</i><br />A harmless 'snail sucker'</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixaLUl_QE34_VDZUy8nD-3pRgaffG7Re72_6mBDPJBczcmovqVY-QHfeUgbqcuaChw_pB3HXI8ZeKnQ_MMuVDO01lEwmN7D_3GNQyW0DcAHwEVy1xrDrjEk9OSlSCkqoSqg2Pf6Ov7C0/s1600/20190928_091909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixaLUl_QE34_VDZUy8nD-3pRgaffG7Re72_6mBDPJBczcmovqVY-QHfeUgbqcuaChw_pB3HXI8ZeKnQ_MMuVDO01lEwmN7D_3GNQyW0DcAHwEVy1xrDrjEk9OSlSCkqoSqg2Pf6Ov7C0/s400/20190928_091909.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Tropidodipsas fischeri</i><br style="font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">A harmless 'snail sucker'</span></td></tr>
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No, this isn't the reptile we've come to see.We have to climb higher into the cloud forest itself to find what we are looking for.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSGk1NCGbhuTlnpiL8Ej5D6KkDT5TscKqNCGtQdwtTOtzNwF3u2vRY_Y6GMrbc7d7PXVY4qVX9jSRFZ6CEJUG4Eitl9KSZwfcWmO4wW4b8GYm6cLAqUZFocOR_n3xvXVVYKWSstH4CKA/s1600/20190928_094625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSGk1NCGbhuTlnpiL8Ej5D6KkDT5TscKqNCGtQdwtTOtzNwF3u2vRY_Y6GMrbc7d7PXVY4qVX9jSRFZ6CEJUG4Eitl9KSZwfcWmO4wW4b8GYm6cLAqUZFocOR_n3xvXVVYKWSstH4CKA/s400/20190928_094625.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cloud forest of Finca el Pilar</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOqrfkQckwSYt6J-FHC5N8OfYnRka-8kJ7YMVWAp6Xul5sbT4eK_cVv577aXuc0BMgeylG49Gw2MBI8Rs89ZJPx7nNfyYAGb1XG-NO3wZ_aHdrZtTbHIRa4myc8WwhrBz3AlgI5F2sgY/s1600/20190928_094704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOqrfkQckwSYt6J-FHC5N8OfYnRka-8kJ7YMVWAp6Xul5sbT4eK_cVv577aXuc0BMgeylG49Gw2MBI8Rs89ZJPx7nNfyYAGb1XG-NO3wZ_aHdrZtTbHIRa4myc8WwhrBz3AlgI5F2sgY/s400/20190928_094704.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a dramatic landscape should be host<br />to a dramatic reptile...</td></tr>
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At last we find one. <i>Abronia vasconcelosii</i> or Bocourt's Arboreal Aligator Lizard. What an amazing little creature - straight out of a dinosaur book.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztaBHP3wxL4f2zU1xUz9q3WMdf2De9iyXuEt2LFHPiDAnjQ5Vj6DpiDL0RoFImhvMIWxn_vxFYw6AI2iuZg3L3258SRW8hgwlf3HmiwfCLzIK5mP20ezTZ3xClf0rX2Q0dl445xAGxV0/s1600/20190928_111226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztaBHP3wxL4f2zU1xUz9q3WMdf2De9iyXuEt2LFHPiDAnjQ5Vj6DpiDL0RoFImhvMIWxn_vxFYw6AI2iuZg3L3258SRW8hgwlf3HmiwfCLzIK5mP20ezTZ3xClf0rX2Q0dl445xAGxV0/s400/20190928_111226.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the moment.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEeOACpqxga0k_ghvm0Pxa5_oYedA1vIE0CEbKEqoOfwTVaHDTqIiT4VDh3AfVvYQ5Un9sEFe4iTZQsSAL6cLZgwJL14GAmlHg-ONz9OBEWim4v8pA5UYdBVXldMzC_OCYTVt7v-BpJM/s1600/20190928_142242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEeOACpqxga0k_ghvm0Pxa5_oYedA1vIE0CEbKEqoOfwTVaHDTqIiT4VDh3AfVvYQ5Un9sEFe4iTZQsSAL6cLZgwJL14GAmlHg-ONz9OBEWim4v8pA5UYdBVXldMzC_OCYTVt7v-BpJM/s400/20190928_142242.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">Abronia vasconcelosii</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0Eo7prbfJOWdihjP7ZE1PE3AEQkuTPdn-5IjUNWx_wQn88KfPRUrEbh_F5IYAxeFbuBzWuWTbXRd-F5pz5tttaxZ2CTxpPWHv4hSOPdJJoGecNVk10BzvApoEYYxVE-tsGOBF2ujEc4/s1600/20190928_142300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0Eo7prbfJOWdihjP7ZE1PE3AEQkuTPdn-5IjUNWx_wQn88KfPRUrEbh_F5IYAxeFbuBzWuWTbXRd-F5pz5tttaxZ2CTxpPWHv4hSOPdJJoGecNVk10BzvApoEYYxVE-tsGOBF2ujEc4/s400/20190928_142300.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">Abronia vasconcelosii</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqclCzC36gwb12Mq9Pw1WrBRb7EeVu12qT1x-p7WgU1TfshJZde4uUGwkubvUhMpQEr-lPcPNp0S11UnZvmsJAz6Qs-kFHGGDmET6ar1h2Ftx9x1duHIkkP1W8iNNd8GyiEAVhVQ1h8Lk/s1600/20190928_142314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqclCzC36gwb12Mq9Pw1WrBRb7EeVu12qT1x-p7WgU1TfshJZde4uUGwkubvUhMpQEr-lPcPNp0S11UnZvmsJAz6Qs-kFHGGDmET6ar1h2Ftx9x1duHIkkP1W8iNNd8GyiEAVhVQ1h8Lk/s400/20190928_142314.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">Abronia vasconcelosii</i></td></tr>
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This incredible lizard spends most of it's time up in the trees hunting insects and it can perform a very special trick that only members of the Abronia family can...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoPEYuvitZyWDpvs_-QPJtTMIgzrf3SVfx1Jf2iAhcH6mXZv2tPUYYtknxIiQHeKtWIY-X_7yWzvc-POF7Q793risxRv9I8R08V1LgA8k3e4XTbYw4Gq2KoNjyoRCQQuNPhSE6YkTx_M/s1600/20190928_121658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoPEYuvitZyWDpvs_-QPJtTMIgzrf3SVfx1Jf2iAhcH6mXZv2tPUYYtknxIiQHeKtWIY-X_7yWzvc-POF7Q793risxRv9I8R08V1LgA8k3e4XTbYw4Gq2KoNjyoRCQQuNPhSE6YkTx_M/s400/20190928_121658.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nigel with the Abronia.</td></tr>
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It has a prehensile tail which it uses to hang from branches, amazing!<br />
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Just when we think everything is going to plan, it rains. Boy does it rain! We retreat to the hotel and wait it out. But it doesn't stop and in a matter of hours we have to change our plans and arrange everything set for the following 3 days in reverse order. Packing everything up, we set off on the long drive to Sibinal near the border with Chiapas, Mexico. The hummer will have to wait.<br />
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<br />rharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010076940674472737.post-11213644395592413982019-11-19T20:28:00.001+00:002019-11-23T15:29:52.024+00:00Guatemala...Ranchitos del QuetzalIt's a lengthy drive from the dry forests of the Heloderma Reserve to the cloud forests of Ranchitos del Quetzal and we arrive late in the evening. With the increase in altitude comes a much cooler and damper climate but the cloud forests of Ranchitos are brimming with wildlife. Our reptile guide Andres Novales, is tasked with finding us some reptiles to film so he heads off to look for some while we all hit the sack so that we are ready to film the next morning.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsyzfqrEPVJ3luI9Mp87sHexmdYxHCTydQVAaS5QSdj_e-UhYMwZeX2UZbvI6sU-xHuoqtoMJlmUUE5suVV7C862xpCs2Z5vSIkOv6VlIJjaGFvt6nDUDJxG0tbUh4uTJ7XCdNQIts1o/s1600/sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsyzfqrEPVJ3luI9Mp87sHexmdYxHCTydQVAaS5QSdj_e-UhYMwZeX2UZbvI6sU-xHuoqtoMJlmUUE5suVV7C862xpCs2Z5vSIkOv6VlIJjaGFvt6nDUDJxG0tbUh4uTJ7XCdNQIts1o/s400/sign.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We gather for breakfast and the news couldn't be better, Andres had found us a couple of magnificent Yellow-blotched Palm Pitvipers, <i>Bothriechis aurifer</i>. But before we see them we have an appointment with some very special birds. Birds that this private reserve was named after, the Resplendant Quetzal.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpd7t8tw_NINnE2uAGg8MTHVTA5u0l8CL2fN_2Zth9TEY9oD9DuYNWOpHNpG10EG0zMX32qKajmaCkNNCFEPzHeVOEgU0OxcCvNGe_phY4F901pPKHkFSihKNZT5mYhtwDp_q_FIW7V-g/s1600/Q1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1493" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpd7t8tw_NINnE2uAGg8MTHVTA5u0l8CL2fN_2Zth9TEY9oD9DuYNWOpHNpG10EG0zMX32qKajmaCkNNCFEPzHeVOEgU0OxcCvNGe_phY4F901pPKHkFSihKNZT5mYhtwDp_q_FIW7V-g/s400/Q1.jpg" width="372" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resplendent Quetzal, famale</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUeco_eapQBCwhyphenhyphenH8b6RqBNJUe-p6KUAfwvHxqrUDXx5-LVjnS0fFFon0Z8Eg8LegEUdS9RR8LzYp7TMzCkDkHsT1iyDhIk3dIdBN_cCsbOxMkm2XGI5PhfTDpXM32MrzhTSLdDqtzQZg/s1600/Q3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1063" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUeco_eapQBCwhyphenhyphenH8b6RqBNJUe-p6KUAfwvHxqrUDXx5-LVjnS0fFFon0Z8Eg8LegEUdS9RR8LzYp7TMzCkDkHsT1iyDhIk3dIdBN_cCsbOxMkm2XGI5PhfTDpXM32MrzhTSLdDqtzQZg/s400/Q3.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resplendent Quetzal, male</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32eytCxuea6XHqDx1ymWGeFu2VsXpSY3afBmLzSOjxSgZKsJuvzw3klHTCb7T1RGac7CBNWW4L52cRsvXu66Uf_aG3kce58VX2K6cr7Cqxym4FuyZM5Dm7ZsDfVM-qq_QwlYfeY_6qAM/s1600/Q2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1117" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32eytCxuea6XHqDx1ymWGeFu2VsXpSY3afBmLzSOjxSgZKsJuvzw3klHTCb7T1RGac7CBNWW4L52cRsvXu66Uf_aG3kce58VX2K6cr7Cqxym4FuyZM5Dm7ZsDfVM-qq_QwlYfeY_6qAM/s400/Q2.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bird that lives up to its name.</td></tr>
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As the Quetzals light up the trees, the Unicolored Jays start to arrive for breakfast. The lodge owners put food out for them every morning and they come in waves to feed. They really are attractive birds.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharSLnDttARo7CCYVGcSYr-UXqDNgURr2eBSHGddR8RJKvqdEKodzAkAbHd_nREIhW-kalltT8FMqypWNP3kXY4h5-1bBNRS1qgDIS9_CuwYBR7IcrwHKa1QlkzoKu-m3fvkYN8-fBJwg/s1600/UJ1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1168" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharSLnDttARo7CCYVGcSYr-UXqDNgURr2eBSHGddR8RJKvqdEKodzAkAbHd_nREIhW-kalltT8FMqypWNP3kXY4h5-1bBNRS1qgDIS9_CuwYBR7IcrwHKa1QlkzoKu-m3fvkYN8-fBJwg/s400/UJ1.jpg" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unicolored Jay</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMS1Lu6QZdi1eP1KXqqaQ8FBkbbNtDPnpWsIZHMc7dg5rOG0WcWfnmVqeo5vwJqLR_BU1Spb7gZRhAbcX3HLOtA73BITrPafAcA3ZQ3QUwPAyfG0FEcUGE6LURn18vc59w5nrvFGCwOXg/s1600/UJ2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1298" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMS1Lu6QZdi1eP1KXqqaQ8FBkbbNtDPnpWsIZHMc7dg5rOG0WcWfnmVqeo5vwJqLR_BU1Spb7gZRhAbcX3HLOtA73BITrPafAcA3ZQ3QUwPAyfG0FEcUGE6LURn18vc59w5nrvFGCwOXg/s400/UJ2.jpg" width="368" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Unicolored</span> Jay</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiMMfcTEXoUbk6GA-idWeAYnD6vANEq5YhRN0JsW9cDqgC3y3-T98D5-sc6s6TAl0Bz-09wVJi3uPeeAe5kMxJatz_Pk4vnvoFhkt5NAsdFY408PqFG5OnrhOKakP1zIY9iVP7O2lD9w/s1600/UJ3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1380" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiMMfcTEXoUbk6GA-idWeAYnD6vANEq5YhRN0JsW9cDqgC3y3-T98D5-sc6s6TAl0Bz-09wVJi3uPeeAe5kMxJatz_Pk4vnvoFhkt5NAsdFY408PqFG5OnrhOKakP1zIY9iVP7O2lD9w/s400/UJ3.jpg" width="345" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Unicolored</span> Jay</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpr5SnmQ6iwQWGUE1YIk0nFxB3MkWbCXKuTmKbPeYk7EeutAFrL_XHphGcKKvw-hNVgCrycILD-hIJ79Z_K9Fsj143_Frl4u9REJuAPW6IOjxV9hgs9gXAipUkUIV897CR0YS4psM76C4/s1600/UJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1369" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpr5SnmQ6iwQWGUE1YIk0nFxB3MkWbCXKuTmKbPeYk7EeutAFrL_XHphGcKKvw-hNVgCrycILD-hIJ79Z_K9Fsj143_Frl4u9REJuAPW6IOjxV9hgs9gXAipUkUIV897CR0YS4psM76C4/s400/UJ.jpg" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Unicolored</span> Jay</td></tr>
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One of my favourite hummingbirds joins the throng, a brilliantly coloured Violet Saberwing. They're large hummers too and almost constantly on the move. I was lucky to find one that kept pitching up close to the breakfast area.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2WIyhEGoUHKWIA8StqNdJOOZuIwLwjXCGp-FpUdkqApibCVPaFMMWuik5d0wuoqFNR2IXwT08NYHfTD1XL3U0GoQxd0XeZHmUpLyVMBhg2rYX2B7IKIfHvlDSeGbtwy7XH5LXPsrKmI/s1600/VS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1523" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2WIyhEGoUHKWIA8StqNdJOOZuIwLwjXCGp-FpUdkqApibCVPaFMMWuik5d0wuoqFNR2IXwT08NYHfTD1XL3U0GoQxd0XeZHmUpLyVMBhg2rYX2B7IKIfHvlDSeGbtwy7XH5LXPsrKmI/s400/VS2.jpg" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Violet Saberwing</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPVtC-lb0w3rLBsWkC47oB4gLQ-fH4Ld4RZbOcO82i3QrTqb-C9vZ9JOffSm7TItW3gVrYwJk081-dZ4_3QVpGrroQvU6lZaWdOlb3LMlgiTPvGK6YlgS8dYnMB2yNdsBuDSHZg0TOM4/s1600/VS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPVtC-lb0w3rLBsWkC47oB4gLQ-fH4Ld4RZbOcO82i3QrTqb-C9vZ9JOffSm7TItW3gVrYwJk081-dZ4_3QVpGrroQvU6lZaWdOlb3LMlgiTPvGK6YlgS8dYnMB2yNdsBuDSHZg0TOM4/s400/VS.jpg" width="383" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Violet Saberwing, how different they look when they're sat in the shade.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQbxKwRF-aVWfpJAIZnpIeFZwadWb9wy52kFzZ2JCFk2IR6D7laxDpncjIw6k0tCJriOiW1klrZwVuN_Vx22XzMDx3RzZiAshIVKri2kARyadr3rWeGVJ_MKs3hevos2kl7NcUZomtXQ/s1600/trogon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1311" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQbxKwRF-aVWfpJAIZnpIeFZwadWb9wy52kFzZ2JCFk2IR6D7laxDpncjIw6k0tCJriOiW1klrZwVuN_Vx22XzMDx3RzZiAshIVKri2kARyadr3rWeGVJ_MKs3hevos2kl7NcUZomtXQ/s400/trogon.jpg" width="327" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collard Trogon, male</td></tr>
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At long last I get to see one of the most beautiful snakes I've ever had the pleasure of holding, a Yellow Botched Palm Pitviper, <i>Bothriechis aurifer</i>. My sincere thanks to Andres Novales for finding it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWrxy1rSnoJnSbIiYTN5aa715YtK-Qw_aOMD5JwI8QlT68TMjm1eM7KdeBQT5eIKVgldQslm-AQuGDJm_Jk62XNRaXXIqfQTw5ga9Ptoiq-pQa6UB80e6ivTgWEMOYjzUA7p4FqlRIz8/s1600/20190927_111334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWrxy1rSnoJnSbIiYTN5aa715YtK-Qw_aOMD5JwI8QlT68TMjm1eM7KdeBQT5eIKVgldQslm-AQuGDJm_Jk62XNRaXXIqfQTw5ga9Ptoiq-pQa6UB80e6ivTgWEMOYjzUA7p4FqlRIz8/s400/20190927_111334.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bothiechis aurifer, female - lime green and yellow beauty.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbE8MJgq7YOh_sjULfoZ1V-9OkSYU0bWYZnIPsETS_lp073Sa4XyCFx_4m8g2o4Fg4btyMd5CTtWjEn6wfXS7A1ZV3rXimQ0LLCk2uhz29wH3CcqD9JFhkBKbfXlNkac_Qpl5NqUorF1c/s1600/20190927_111249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1086" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbE8MJgq7YOh_sjULfoZ1V-9OkSYU0bWYZnIPsETS_lp073Sa4XyCFx_4m8g2o4Fg4btyMd5CTtWjEn6wfXS7A1ZV3rXimQ0LLCk2uhz29wH3CcqD9JFhkBKbfXlNkac_Qpl5NqUorF1c/s400/20190927_111249.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photos don't do it justice...it's stunning!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfC18stVT0ZHcVsJIsE3kZ3JnOjkYsaBz_l9caVKTGa2W2WPOnf7yyhmrLs0zGqRcYH3TMJDo9phaObXU_La-6eXnV6PiVBy_RRFcfT_Hoz6s8Ng2qICglJoRgoc8bU9KBbBVpfKOXCCA/s1600/20190927_111259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfC18stVT0ZHcVsJIsE3kZ3JnOjkYsaBz_l9caVKTGa2W2WPOnf7yyhmrLs0zGqRcYH3TMJDo9phaObXU_La-6eXnV6PiVBy_RRFcfT_Hoz6s8Ng2qICglJoRgoc8bU9KBbBVpfKOXCCA/s400/20190927_111259.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bothriechis aurifer, female</td></tr>
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Another small crew of scientists were on site climbing trees and studying the reptiles and amphibians of the reserve. I noticed one of the guys was disfigured and it turned out this was caused by a rattlesnake that bit him on the forearm when he was 18. After a week in a coma and several skin grafts later, this is how he was left. A stark reminder of just how dangerous some of these snakes can be - accidents do happen!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXlHR6n1M-H4mfLHT6oDF2wjtfe7njVegwiGBbJSlcZr0Chwjz35_U501Psh9N-aLTFpHjW4zuY3mviNEGfV4uBEjtJ17UzvjRtrqrqRoYfjhDeUHNUaEgFA7lbd-VJBtQ311_iYm_bk/s1600/20190927_112032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXlHR6n1M-H4mfLHT6oDF2wjtfe7njVegwiGBbJSlcZr0Chwjz35_U501Psh9N-aLTFpHjW4zuY3mviNEGfV4uBEjtJ17UzvjRtrqrqRoYfjhDeUHNUaEgFA7lbd-VJBtQ311_iYm_bk/s320/20190927_112032.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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rharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349675350330586919noreply@blogger.com0