Costa Rica and Panama Elderhostel Cruise January-February 2006

Cruise Day 2 to Manuel Antonio National Park (January 24)

Cruise Map
Click on image for full-screen views

The route taken by our cruise is above. We cruised during the night and anchored off the beach at Manuel Antonio National Park.  At 6:00 AM we enjoyed Sunrise Breakfast on the sun deck.  Our first ride on the Zodiacs had a gentle wet landing.  A nature walk was ably led by naturalist  Rudy Zamora.  In addition to many species of birds and several lizards, we saw a large troop of White-faced Capuchin Monkeys and photographed a Howler Monkey through Rudy's scope. 

--Click on pictures for full-screen views--
Anchored off Manuel Antonio NP
 Sunrise Breakfast
 Zodiac
 Pacific Explorer
On beach
 Lizard
 Capuchin Monkey
 Howler Monkey

Cruise Day 3: Corcovado National Park (January 25)

Another short overnight cruise brought us to Caletas Beach in Corcovado National Park.  Our Zodiac backed onto the beach in moderate surf. We joined the 7:00 AM bird walk., led by Giovanni Bello. Again, we saw a nice variety of bird species and tried not to be too compulsive about chasing down all the "ones that got away." The group was very diverse as to each person's level of skill and particular interests, and Giovanni exhibited a wealth of knowledge. All were united by a great love of nature and the outdoors. We photographed a pair of Mangrove Hawks and Giovanni demonstrated the use of medicinal herbs (on Mary Lou's arm). We had great looks at a large Pale-billed Woodpecker.  There followed a marvelous picnic lunch on the beach. At 2:00 PM it was "All aboard" as we set sail for Panama's Isla de Coiba.

Landing on Corcovado Beach
 Gathering before Bird Walk
 Waiting for Zodiac arrival
 Mangrove Hawks
Walking the beachfront
 Pacific Explorer from beach
 Plant demonstration on Mary Lou's arm
 Dan and Mary at Picnic Lunch


Birds in order seen, with new sightings followed by asterisk:
MANUAL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK: 9 Species (6 New)
 CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK: 16 Species (13 New)
Brown Booby*
Gray-breasted Martin*
Brown Pelican
Mangrove Swallow*
Black Swift*
Magnificent Frigatebird
Pale-billed Woodpecker*
Lesser Greenlet*
Gray Hawk


 Masked Tityra*
White-shouldered Tanager*
Yellow-headed Caracara*
Gray-capped Flycatcher*
Mangrove Hawk*
Red-legged Honeycreeper*
Turquoise Cotinga*
Buff-throated Woodcreeper*
Golden-naped Woodpecker*
Whimbrel
Red-crowned Woodpecker*
Red-lored Amazon Parrot*
Yellow-bellied Elaenia*
White-tipped Dove
Ruddy Ground-dove
Wedge-tailed Shearwater*
CUMULATIVE TOTAL (BIRD SPECIES SEEN  TO DATE: 81 (55 New)

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