More Sportfishing in Panama

We learned about Ocearch earlier this month when a group for The Billfish Foundation working on the Panamanian Sportfishing Study came to fish with us at Tranquilo Bay. Ocearch founder, Chris Fischer visited Panama a year ago to discuss sustainability issues with different Panamanian government officials. Check it out:




Ocearch is a non-profit organization with a global reach for unprecedented research on the ocean's giants. You can check out more of their work on the National Geographic Channel's Shark Men or on their website www.ocearch.org.

Up and Down: Hummingbirds

Up and Down: Vine Snake

Up and Down: Bird Fishing at the Zapatilla Cayes

Earth Day Field Trip

Last week, we had a special visit from a classroom of kids from the school Republica de Nicaragua on Bocas Town on Isla Colón. This class was a winner of an Earth Day recycling contest at their school.







We had 26 nice kids, ages 10 and 11, who were ready to learn a lot and have a wonderful experience. We hiked in the trail, talked about sea turtles, looked for animals with the spotting scope.






For more information and photos from all of the Earth Day activities in Bocas, check out this photo gallery on BSTA's Facebook page: http://on.fb.me/j8sehx

Migration time again

Here is an insightful article by the National Audubon Society about what we can do to help birds as they migrate to their summer homes. There are many tips that are helpful to the birds, but the one that is the easiest for anyone to implement immediately is this one:

Close your blinds at night and turn off lights you aren’t using. Some birds use constellations to guide them on their annual migrations, and bright lights can disrupt them.

Camera Tricks

Ramon spends a lot of time in the forest. It is this time in the forest that gives he and Natalia such an appreciation for and a knowledge of what wildlife sits beyond the edge. Sometimes, though after sitting for a period of time waiting for birds or other animals to make an appearance, he gets a little bored. It was at the end of one of these instances when he tried a few things with his camera. The first photo is the jungle as he waited for wildlife. The second set of photos is what happens when you play with the camera and capturing your surroundings. If I look at the second set too long it makes me a bit dizzy, but it is cool how the lights and colors make waves in each photo.

Sportfishing study for Panama

Panama is looking to new ways to use its natural resources. We have had a first hand opportunity to learn a bit more about this study. It is going to be interesting to see what the country of Panama, The Billfish Foundation, Southwick & Associates, and Ocearch find as they study how sportfishing might benefit Panama. This same study was recently mentioned in the May Editorial by Doug Olander in Sport Fishing. Here is a link to a press release from Dr. Ruben Berrocal, Panama's National Secretary of SENACYT, and Minister of Tourism Mr. Salomon Shamah released on March 11, 2011.

http://www.sportfishingmag.com/news/news/officials-new-sportfishing-study-will-provide-economic-roadmap-for-panama-1000087455.html

Waiting to hatch

Red bugs marching in a row

Sea of jellyfish

Lots and lots of raptors

Hasta Luego Amiga!

Gina has been with us here as the children's teacher since March 2008. We have watched the children grow and learn with her love and guidance for over three years now. It has been an amazing experience for all of us. We are sad to see her leave, but we know that it is time for her to move on to do other things. We are all going to miss her, but we are also looking forward to getting to know our new teacher who arrives in July. Gina was able to meet her and believes she will move the children forward in wonderful ways - we also believe this to be true.

Gina uses music by Jack Hartman with the kids in the classroom. Once she told them that she was leaving, there was a special song that the kids began to sing in order to prepare them for her departure. The children sang this song during their spring presentation. I was not the only one tearing up is all I am going to say. Gina has very definitely left a Hand Print on our Hearts!



Hand Print On Our Hearts

On this day we remember all the ways you’ve touched out hearts
On this day we all celebrate that we have been a part
Of your hopes and your dreams
That have shown us where to go
Of your work and your love
That have helped the children grow

Through the years, you’ve taken us so far
And now we’ll carry on when you are gone

So we will work, we will dream
You have shown us where to go
We will hope, we will love
We will help the children grow
Oh, we thank you & promise to go on
Because you have left us
With your hand print on our hearts


Photo Note:

The shirts and dresses are a gift from Marge Viola to Gina and the children. Now whenever they wear the shirts or the dress (and when I take the patches off and save them for them later) they will remember Miss Gina and Grandmarge for handing down such beautiful heirlooms to them all. Gina's dress originally belonged to Marge. The animal patches on each of the children's clothes came from the same dress.

Panama Eco Adventure - 2011 Episode 3

Here is the third episode of Panama Eco Adventure for 2011. Never mind that Episode 4 previewed before Episode 3. This episode focuses on the great kayak, hike and cave tour near Bahia Honda and part of Bastimentos National Marine Park. This excursion is one of our guest favorites. Check it out.

Spring School Presentation

Gina worked with Tres and Boty to put together a wonderful presentation of the work the children have completed over the past school year. They did tongue twisters, recited poetry, sang songs, showed us all of the work among other wonderful activities. Here are a few photos of the special ceremony.