Panama...Bocas del Toro

With 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 May 2019, 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'.

Bocas del Toro - 'Galapogas of Central America'

Our stay at Bocas was hosted by the wonderful Jim and Renee Kimball, co-owners of Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge, 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!

Bocas del Toro is a very attractive town on the Caribbean
and attracts large numbers of tourists.

Bocas waterfront.

Leaving Bocas for Tranquilo Bay

The balcony at Tranquilo Bay Resort
frequented by Prothonotary Warblers

Local houses on Isla Bastimentos

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. 

Masked Tityra were a common sight.

...and another

Prothonotary Warbler, 1st winter

Prothonotary Warbler, adult

Prothonotary Warbler - extremely common around the
lodge and grounds, usually 3-4 together.

Prothonotary Warbler

Sunset at Tranquilo Bay Lodge

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...

Striped Basilisk

And another...

A rather attractive wandering spider sp

Jim also runs a moth trap most nights and it attracts vast numbers of species, big and small.

A large green Hawkmoth sp.

Another attractive species - no idea what it is though

Another unidentified sp

Adhemarius gannascus - one I could ID

Another mystery moth...

Looks like some type of emerald?

Orizaba Silkmoth

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.

Groove-billed Ani
Common in flocks.

Groove-billed Ani

Little Blue Heron

Laughing Gull

Northern Water Thrush

Brown Pelican

Brown Pelican

Snowy Egret

Spotted Sandpiper

Spotted Sandpipers are common, very common...

Turkey Vulture

Black Hawk

Looking a little miserable in the rain...

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.