Birds of Panama - Episode 2

Here is the next video in the Birds of Panama series. Enjoy.

Sunning in Bocas del Toro, Panama - 3

The third in this series.



All photos by Natalia Decastro Gonzalez. Kitchsy Digitals Clothesline.

Sunning in Bocas del Toro, Panama - 2

The second in the sunning series. Try to say that three times fast.



All photos by Natalia Decastro Gonzalez. Kitchsy Digitals Clothesline.

Sunning in Bocas del Toro, Panama - 1

Natalia has put together a series of shots of different wildlife enjoying the sun. Here is the first in the series.



All photos by Natalia Decastro Gonzalez. Kitchsy Digitals Clothesline.

Check out Tranquilo Bay in Sport Fishing Magazine

Read Panama's Forgotten Coast on page 70 of the March 2011 issue of Sport Fishing Magazine. We hosted editor Doug Olander and his fishing buddy, Rob Sherman, for a week of fishing last year. See what Doug had to say about his experience.

Birds of Panama - Episode 1

Jim has been working on some shorter videos that give you a look at a few species at a time. This is the Birds of Panama - 2011 Episode 1. Take a look.

Somewhere over the rainbow

We have been blessed with a number of rainbows recently. We will take them whenever we can get them.

Happy Valentines Day!

We are thankful for all of our faithful readers and fans! We have a special treat for those of you who follow us on Facebook this Valentine's Day. We are beginning a monthly series on Facebook entitled Save the Rainforest. Each month we will focus on something that you can do to help save the rainforest. The series will be available only to our fans on Facebook each month. Once we begin the next month's program, we will place the information on our regular Facebook page and on Flickr. So what are you waiting for? Click here to see it.

Stand Up Kayaking

So, after Tres dared me to try stand up paddleboarding last month, I was bitten quite badly by the bug. I have been in the water every day since except for two.



For those of you that know me, this is a remarkable change. I normally spend too much time working at my computer and don't stop to do something fun. Ask my kids, they would tell you the same thing. I decided it was high time that I remedy this situation.

Most afternoons I take one or both of the kids and we get in the water for about thirty minutes. Some days we paddle laps back and forth in front of the dock. Other days they swim and I paddle. On special afternoons, we take a spin around the mangroves or the little island in front of the dock. Adopting this new attitude and new sport has been great for all of us. Sunday afternoon you will find each one of us in the water in some form or another. Boty has taken to jumping off the dock which she has been reluctant to do until now.





If you have access to either a stand up paddle board or a sit on top kayak and some calm water, I suggest you try it as well. You might just find yourself with a new sport.



First three photos - Ramon Fernandez Frances. Last photo - Jim Kimball

Panama Eco Adventure - 2011 Episode 1

Here is the first of Jim's new Panama Eco Adventure series. This series will highlight the adventures that await you here in Bocas del Toro, Panama.

Perfect Amalgam

Friday was one of those days that does not come around often. Many things all blended together forming the most perfect amalgam. A true rarity with sunny blue skies, 5-foot swell prediction, a scarce dash of free time, a boat scheduled to leave for town after lunch (near our favorite surf break) and my son Tres would be finished with school. Holly Mackerel! It was like a message from the gods, not to be taken lightly.

The decision made itself over a cheeseburger and fries lunch, a rarity in itself here at Tranquilo Bay. I was well on my way but still needed to secure maternal consent for the boy. Mom gave us the go ahead (Thanks Mom) and we had only 30-minutes until the boat was to cast off. We were so stoked.

Shades, hat, rash guard, sun screen, wax, before we knew it the boat was speeding away from the dock and heading towards the beautiful glassy lines we knew we would find. Tres choose his 6-foot blue thruster and a 7-foot green fun shape for his buddy Scott, who would be joining us later. I choose an Ocean Kayak Big Yak, great for surfing medium sized clean surf, a real fun ride.

I could see the anticipation on my son's face as we started across the big channel. As we coasted the boat in and got our first look at the surf it was clean and about one whole foot. I'm not talking Hawaiian style, these were 1-foot on the face. The boat dropped us off and we agreed upon what time to rendezvous.

At least we would have some fun paddling around and could reluctantly check out all the coral heads we routinely surf over. Flat days here are actually kind of creepy because of that. Better to surf in mind-numbing bliss than to actually know what is underneath you I always say.

We had been there about 10-minutes, goofing off on the inside, when all of a sudden we were caught off guard by a monster 3-foot set. The set made me think about checking out the real break on the other side of the point. Just maybe there would be something to ride.



"Hey Tres" I shouted to my son, "not much going on here, do you want to paddle over to the big point where I surf and try to catch one?" "Yes, yes, yes, I am ready Dad," he said. As we paddled around the point a few swells moved under us as they began to stack up on the reef. It was open-water and Tres seemed very alert and a just a little bit anxious. I started up with a little small talk while we were paddling to ease his mind. Then a couple waved at us and took our picture from high on the rocky point. Tres noticed the photo and I could tell he felt BIG paddling out to the real spot with his Dad.

Just then a head high set (Tres' head not mine) rolled in off the point. Tres instantly got a little nervous, "Dad maybe we should go back to wait for Uncle Jay, it looks pretty big Dad." "Common," I said, "we paddled all the way up here to take a look, lets at least paddle over and just feel a couple waves."

We arrived at the take off spot and watched a few roll under us. Tres was ready, tried paddling hard for a few, but couldn't quite get in. Then I saw some nice pretty lines coming so we paddled out just a bit farther. We let the first wave of the set go, but the second one was to perfect. We both took off on the same wave, at the same time, just a few feet apart. It was his first wave ever at Carenero.

The visual image I shall maintain with clarity. He dropped in the wave to my left, I stayed a high line at the crest of the wave looking down. He looked beautiful sliding down the face of that clean wave; his first of what will be many here, in this home spot. It was so cool; I know we will return often as his skills advance.

After feeling a little "horsepower" at Carenero, Tres was ready to go back and meet his best buddy Scott in more familiar territory. We were back in the lineup at our normal spot, where Tres feels at home. I could see the tension in his body language fade.

Uncle Jay, Scott and Patrick pulled up just at the right time. Scott jumped in without his board and swam over to our line-up. "I just feel like swimming Uncle Jim," Scott said. He didn't miss much. As we talked about the day, Tres said, "Hey Scott, my Dad and I went up there and surfed Carenero and it was kinda big." I only smiled and interjected nothing.

Well, the "Perfect Amalgam" never really generated that beautiful 5-foot surf, but it sure produced one hell of a lifetime memory.

Birding Panama - The Baths of Tranquilo Bay

This video shows some of the special birds we have that choose to bathe at Tranquilo Bay each day. Take a look.

Racoon in the Jagua Tree

Every time I see these little guys in the trees around here it makes me smile. They just seem to have a sweet smile on their face. This photo Natalia snapped is a great one. Have a wonderful day where ever you are and whatever the weather you have been given today.