MotMots and Bicycles

Panama 3 10 208
Originally uploaded by nightraincamper

These Blue-crowned Motmots are so obliging AND common! They seem to hang across from the entrance to Cabanas Potosi, and we have seen them on the Cara Iguana Trail as well. This little sketch was done from a digiscope photo I took courtesy of fellow-birder Mark's scope after a morning of birding the mountain at the south side of El Valle village last week. On that same trail we saw Rufous-capped Warbler (common here), Snowy-bellied Hummingbird, White-vented Plumeteer (another hummingbird with a fabulous name), and Yellow-crowned Euphonia, among others. The photo below is a view across the El Valle valley during yet another little shower. Gorgeous.

As usual, the wind was practically violent (since the day we arrived here) and seeing the birds (as well as sleeping through the creaking and whooshing all night) has been challenging. Yesterday it finally subsiding to nice gentle, cooling breeze and it was such a pleasure to see so many birds congregating in the fruit-producing trees this morning when they weren't holding on and sitting tight to the flailing branches (i.e. almost invisible).

On Monday (March 8), we went birding with the infamous Mario Bernal, Panamanian bird guide extraordinaire and a native of El Valle. In fact he lives across the street from our cabanas (brother of the owner) and his property is fantastic for many species we haven't seen elsewhere, such as Collared Aracari, Streaked  Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied and Lesser Elanias, Thick-billed Euphonia, and many Red-legged Honeycreepers.

Anyway, in spite of the incredible wind and some clouds spritzing us, Mark, Ron and I birded up the Cerro Gaital Road with Mario for several hours, after a terrific session right on some back streets in the village. Some village birds include White-lined, Flame-rumped, Crimson-backed, Golden-headed, Blue-gray, Palm, and Plain-colored Tanagers (an amazing group of birds in the tropics - the Plain-colored being a virtual exception to the colorful plumages you would expect from the names). Up on the mountain, we saw some beauties as well, and a trail we traveled up just inside the protected Gailtal area really was mind-boggling for the numbers and varieties of birds we saw there. Some trees was practically swarming with birds of many species and groups. A few tidbits: Little Hermit and Garden Emerald (two hummingbird species), Tawny-Crested amd Dusky-faced tanagers, Plain Xenops (cool bill), Bay Wren, Red-legged Dacnis, and Grey-headed Chachalaca. A good morning with many species for which we plan to return.

The internet store is closing. Adios, Amigos. In my next installment, learn about some fine points of Panamian cuisine, some botany, and the social life in El Valle. Time to pedal back to our little paradise at Cabanas Potosi.