Canopy Lodge & Return Home

Saturday, July 27th: Most of us were on the same afternoon flight and we had time to do some birding near the lodge in the morning. Except for Ted, we were all okay this morning. Carlos was unable to be there, so Tino led us up the hill in search of Rosy Thrush-Tanager and other birds. We didn't get the thrush-tanager, but we did get good looks at several Bay Wrens and other birds. I managed to catch up on the Yellow-olive Flycatcher.

We returned to the lodge, packed, and then started our 2 1/2 drive to the airport. We added more species on the way, but again, nothing new. We got to the airport in plenty of time. However, a youth baseball team got in line after I did, but before most of the group made it. It took them a long time to get their border passes and check their bags. How long? I decided to get something to eat, and was done before the first of them came through security.

We had to go through security again at the gate. I didn't see that it added anything to the Panamanian security. Perhaps these TSA jobs need to be sequestered.

I had a comfortable flight in business class. By walking down near the end, I managed to get in an almost non-existant immigration line. There was a bit of a wait to get my luggage, then a longer wait for customs. We gathered together at the customs exit. By then Ruth had already disappeared. Beth headed for her hotel, Ann got a ride from Ted and Barb (their son picked them up). The rest of us took the FastPark shuttle to the Moreland's van to reverse the process that got us here.

Panama

My biggest surprise for the trip was Panama itself. It's obviously much more developed than the other Latin American countries I've visited (Brazil, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela). Official statistics vary, but it seems to be one of the 4 richest countries in Latin America (with Chile, Argentina, and Mexico) and is comparable to the US circa 1950 in terms of wealth (about 1/3 of current US per-capita income). It also has a middle-class look to it, like Costra Rica, but unlike the Latin American countries I've visted.

I noted 46 species today, including one more species for the trip. This makes my final trip total 299, including 53 lifers. My world total is now 2646.

The group had about 30 more species than I, including some heard-only birds that I opted not to count. Yes, the missed day made a difference.

Miami, FL