| Nowhere was birding more visually intense than on our boat trip through the mangroves. In addition to the main morning cruise from nearby Mantanchen, Carolyn and Charlie joined Jim and Pat Coe for an afternoon cruise, and another group took a cruise from San Blas lasting into the night. |
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| Even the familiar North American wading birds were a treat when seen at such close range and in such abundance. |
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| Especially interesting were some of the rarer and more bizarre denizens of tropical marshes. Unfortunately the Northern Potoo, an owl camouflaged to resemble a rotting tree snag, was seen only on the night trip and could not be photographed. |
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| There were also plenty of interesting non-water birds along the way.. |
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| Birds were not the only intriguing creatures present. |
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| This faunal spectacle unrolled against a backdrop of marshy variety. The pleasant waterside cafe at bucolic La Tovara Springs, our halfway turnaround point, offered a brief respite for overtaxed senses. |
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