We awoke in Gatun Lake, the largest manmade lake at the time the Chagras River was dammed in 1913 to form the Panama Canal. Adjacent to our anchorage was Barro Colorado Island, home to the Smithsonian’s Tropical Research Institute (STRI). Through the accomplishments of many hardworking biologists, the STRI laid the groundwork for foundational studies on tropical species. Guests visited the island and walked with STRI guides, or chose to venture into the town of Gamboa and visit the Rainforest Discovery Center. These outings resulted in epic wildlife sightings, including a tamandua (Tamandua mexicana), a puma (Puma concolor), and a baby American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus).
During afternoon panga rides guests explored the lake; we saw snail kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis), raptors that specialize in eating snails, and Geoffroy’s tamarins (Saguinus geoffroyi), notably small monkeys with a memorable face. We celebrated the day’s wildlife with our first cocktail hour, during which the expedition staff of National Geographic Quest introduced themselves and expressed their passion for all that Panama and Costa Rica offer as biodiversity hotspots.
