Barro Colorado Island, Gatun Lake
The greenery of the Barro Colorado Island greeted us a good morning with a smooth overcast. The expedition began with the Naturalists from the Smithsonian Institute boarding so as to be presented to our travelers. The expectations were high among the people to say the least.
The Zodiacs waited for the morning expeditions to begin along the red clayed borders of the rainforest covered island. At the same time the hikers got their long pants and hiking shoes ready for what was going to be a magnificent hike through the forest. With great interest on what was to be discovered in this unknown sea of green, we took with excitement to the trails and Zodiacs.
The warm humid jungle surrounded us as we went deeper into the unexplored. With a sense of amazement we pondered as to how long some of the uprising trees took to reach the top canopy; to breathe the warmth of the tropical sun.
The thick tangles of the different species of vines demonstrated how natural art is manifested in variations of shapes and colors. The textures of the barks from the different trees made it hard not to extend the hand and feel the textures moist and rugged. As the trails twisted and turned the sense of direction was lost to the hills that undulated the terrain. Distant noises from song that filled the spirit with wonder filled the air around us.
At one point three different types of toucans were seen feeding in the same tree demonstrating the diversity that is to be found in tropical rainforest. Army ants raided the ground with a feeding frenzy from the ant birds that followed waiting to get lucky with some good morning catches. Barro Colorado did not disappoint the explorers as the clear green water of the Gatun Lake and clear blue skies appeared with the conclusion of the adventure that was just experienced.
The greenery of the Barro Colorado Island greeted us a good morning with a smooth overcast. The expedition began with the Naturalists from the Smithsonian Institute boarding so as to be presented to our travelers. The expectations were high among the people to say the least.
The Zodiacs waited for the morning expeditions to begin along the red clayed borders of the rainforest covered island. At the same time the hikers got their long pants and hiking shoes ready for what was going to be a magnificent hike through the forest. With great interest on what was to be discovered in this unknown sea of green, we took with excitement to the trails and Zodiacs.
The warm humid jungle surrounded us as we went deeper into the unexplored. With a sense of amazement we pondered as to how long some of the uprising trees took to reach the top canopy; to breathe the warmth of the tropical sun.
The thick tangles of the different species of vines demonstrated how natural art is manifested in variations of shapes and colors. The textures of the barks from the different trees made it hard not to extend the hand and feel the textures moist and rugged. As the trails twisted and turned the sense of direction was lost to the hills that undulated the terrain. Distant noises from song that filled the spirit with wonder filled the air around us.
At one point three different types of toucans were seen feeding in the same tree demonstrating the diversity that is to be found in tropical rainforest. Army ants raided the ground with a feeding frenzy from the ant birds that followed waiting to get lucky with some good morning catches. Barro Colorado did not disappoint the explorers as the clear green water of the Gatun Lake and clear blue skies appeared with the conclusion of the adventure that was just experienced.
