PANAMA

I worked for the Smithsonian Institution out of their offices in Panama, on a study investigating mating systems in tropical songbirds.  We were looking at the frequency of extra-pair matings (nestlings born to a bonded pair that are a result of a copulation oustide of the pair bond) and breeding synchrony (whether laying eggs occurs at the same time for one species).  I had the chance to travel around Panama, and while I was working with birds, I had the opportunity to view a great variety of wildlife.

These are examples of  "pedestrian crossing" (left) and "children at play" signs from Gamboa, Panama.

An unknown species of butterfly lands beside me long enough to snap this photo.  Shot on Pipeline Road.

While walking along a trail, on the island of Bastimentos (on the Caribbean side of Panama) these 2 children asked me to take their photo.  They gave me some of the fruit that they were eating, and it was delicious.  Unfortunately, I can't remember what it is called!

A common tody flycatcher...one of our study species.

A poison dart frog sits on a mushroom on the island of Bastimentos.  The colour of the frog varies from island to island, yet it is still just one species.

A crimson-backed tananger.  A fairly common species in Gamboa.  We would often catch them in our nets, though we were not studying them specifically.  Incredibly beautiful!

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