It's For the Birds

29 May 2012.  Of course the main reason we came to Panama is to learn Spanish.  But we came to Panamá because it also has some fantastic birds for watching.  So we don’t just study Spanish here.  We are birders, after all. 

Some say the most beautiful bird in the world is the Resplendent Quetzal.  The “most” qualifier is debatable, but the “beautiful” part is beyond debate.  We can personally confirm that.  We’ve seen several now on three different outings.  It is a special bird to see.

Since leaving the USA six weeks ago we have seen 140 species of birds, and of them 101 we had never seen before.  Even so, we have barely scratched the surface.  Panama is about the same size as South Carolina.  In that area it has about 975 species of birds.  That is a greater number than exist in the USA and Canada combined! 

About a week ago we visited the home of two birders we recently met here in Boquete.  Would you believe they are from Kodiak, Alaska?  They took us out birding a couple times in the forest, but for a real treat they showed us how to see hummingbirds up close.  I mean really close!  Peggy took a picture.

We are now in our 6^th week of studies.  All along we have planned to take a one-week break after week 6, and now it is really close.  We will travel to some different spots and walk some new areas, experiencing Panama and looking for birds all the way.  Can we find another 100 new species in week of more intense birding?  I think so.  I’ll make it a goal.