Sunday, November 20, 2011

Panama highlights

I am linking up with Mosaic Monday  and Our World Tuesday

I wish everyone a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

In these mosiacs are some of the highlights from the first two days of our Panama vacation.







Seeing 7 new hummingbirds was also a treat for me the first day, the Violet-Bellied Hummingbird had the prettiest colors.

In the two previous posts I showed some more of my first day birding the Rainforest Discovery Center and the Pipeline Rd.

The second day included Panama Viejo (Old Panama) ruins and visitors center.


On our city tour I was still looking for birds, you never know when you might see a new bird.

And I did see a new bird as we were leaving the ruins. It is called the Saffron Finch. A pretty yellow bird and another lifer for me.





The Tropical Kingbirds were all over the place.


We also visited the San Jose Church with the gold alter and had  lunch at the Panama Canal's Miraflores Locks. The lunch banquet room at the locks included our own viewing area to watch the ships pass thru the locks. My blog Travel with Eileen has a little more info and photos on the Panama Viejo visitor's center and the ruins.




San Jose Church, we were told a story that in the old days the alter was painted black to hide the gold.


Right now they let ships go thru the locks in one direction for 12 hours and then they switch the directions for the other 12 hours. Ships have to wait in line for their turn either at the entrance of the Pacific or Atlantic Oceans. Additional locks are being built to handle even larger size ships than the ones we saw, so there is construction work constantly happening at the Panama Canal.


The brown pelicans seem to like fishing at the Canal locks. Other birds seen near the locks were the Magnificent Frigatebirds, Swallows, Black Vultures and Turkey Vultures and Laughing Gulls .


Please check out all the mosaic and photos at Mosaic Monday and Our World Tuesday.  Thanks to Mary for hosting Mosaic Monday and to all the hosts of Our World Tuesday: Arija, Sylvia, Gattina, Lafy Fi and Sandy. Thanks also for stopping by to see my post, I hope everyone has a safe and happy week ahead.

46 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

those hummingbirds are truly like flying jewels! wow!

Saun said...

Wow,great capture of the hummingbirds and I love the butterflies too.

Tammy said...

Looks like you had a wonderful time.
I love the ruins. Those hummers are so pretty. Very different than our ruby throats. Must have been a thrill to see them.

Snap said...

Eileen, looks like an exciting trip to Panama. The colors of the hummingbirds --- amazing! Thanks for being our travel guide!

Carol said...

What a fantastic trip! Enjoyed your pictures and the mosaics. Beautiful colored hummingbirds, so pretty!

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Stunning and exotic pictures...that one image of the hummingbird is just amazing!

Jen Sanford said...

Wow, I didn't even know hummingbirds came in such varieties!! Gorgeous photos!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I like your first comment! They DO look like jewels! How beautiful! I'm sending a link to your blog to my hubby's computer! We love birds and have never seen a humming bird like yours! ♥

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Exceptional pictures! Wow!!! Takes my breath away! Wishing you well! C athy

Reena said...

those hummingbirds are priceless! So beautiful!

betchai said...

oh, love love your hummingbird pictures, they are always a joy and any birds too, to see.

grammie g said...

Hi Eileen...Lovely ...the ruins and the scenes of the area are so great to see, and flowers and bird..love the name Saffon Finch nice color , and the highlight of it all... the jewel of a hummingbird amazing!!

Grace

Lorrie said...

Those hummingbirds are just gorgeous. Like flying jewels.

diane b said...

What an interesting place. watching the ships go through the locks must be fun. Of course seeing lifers would be the best treat for you.

Teacup-In-The-Garden said...

Wow! Great shots!
Have a nice week,
Markus

Pondside said...

You must be having a wonderful time! All that colour- so exotic. I love the shot of the pelican - like a little grey waif.

Bob Bushell said...

Beautiful shots Eileen.

Gardening in a Sandbox said...

Oh that hummingbird was so beautiful. I am glad you are enjoying your visit to Panama. V

Icy BC said...

What a fantastic journey, and the hummingbirds are gorgeous. I only saw one with red throat recently, and was over joy to watch..

Ingmarie We said...

Love the hummingbirds and the the butterfly. Looks like you had a very nice trip to Panama! Have a great week.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful photo story. The birds are fascinating and photos are excellent. I am fascinated by locks.Any where I visit I just cannot take my eyes off the operations. Would love to visit there one day. Blessing and Happy Thanksgiving.
QMM

Molly Anne said...

Love that shot with all the hummingbirds. All neat photos - I enjoyed the virtual vacation. :)

Kathie Brown said...

What a place to go! You know I love the hummingbirds! Good for you!

936000 said...

Lovely mosaics, especially the first one with the Bird of Paradise. Those hummingbirds are gorgeous!
xx

DeniseinVA said...

Wow, wow and wow!!! What an amazing trip you went on Eileen, I have enjoyed traveling along with you through these amazing photos.

Chris Petrak said...

Eileen, Thanks for visiting my site regularly and leaving comments. I'm hopeful that things will calm down from the last few months and I can be a more regular follower. Enjoyed reviewing your pics from Panama - it's on my list of places I'd like to visit.

Tina´s PicStory said...

i love the hummingbirds, but all the pics are beautiful :)

ellen b. said...

Looks like a great trip with lots of great sights to see. Love the birds! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Sylvia K said...

Oh, I do love the hummingbirds! All of your photos are terrific and it looks as though you're having a great time! Thanks for sharing with us! Hope you have a lovely holiday!

Sylvia

Carver said...

I'm enjoying the photographs from your trip so much. The hummer is a beauty and I love your spotting the pelican on the lock. I like the diversity of shots you showed us.

Indrani said...

Wow! Great collages. Terrific captures.

Jim said...

How interesting.

Al said...

Great photos. I'd love to travel through the Panama Canal one day.

Joyful said...

Happy Thanksgiving, Eileen! I love all your little hummingbird photos :-)

Lew said...

Fasciating humming birds! I am enjoying your tour of Panama.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

What an exciting trip you are on, Eileen! The hummingbirds were so beautiful and the lock is so interesting.

Have a very happy Thanksgiving!

Valerie said...

Hi Eileen, Lovely collage with the hummingbird/s. Thanks too for the Panama Canal inclusion - went through it some 40 years ago enroute to the UK and it was fascinating then. Thanks also for visiting my blog.

Anonymous said...

What amazing captures - such a variety! Have a joyful Thanksgiving.

Betty Manousos said...

what cute photos of hummingbirds!
a feel of joy which actually your photos describe it perfectly!!

love your shot!

Gattina said...

I wished we had hummingbirds in my part of the world. I have only seen them in a zoo !

Debbie said...

ooooohhhhh gorgeous!! the hummingbirds are amazing!!

Francisca said...

I was in Panama in 1972... and of course I expected that it's changed... a LOT! I live in a similar climate so I recognize the heliconia. I know there are birds here, lots of them, but I've not seen any as colorful as the ones you show us today. Happy Thanksgiving, Eileen!

wildcatwoods said...

The hummers are just dazzling! Lovely shots. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Carolina Mts

NatureFootstep said...

love the hummingbirds, but teh butterfly is really something. Gorgeous!

Jill Harrison said...

Thankyou for the tour through Panama. It is so far away from me I don't think I will ever get there - so thanks for taking us there.
And the hummingbirds are lovely - certainly not something we have in Australia.
thank you also for stopping by my blog to say hi.
Have a great week.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Wonderful Eileen -- what a beautiful vacation and lovely birds. I will go to your travel blog and just drool as soon as I get time. (Hard when on the road to keep up@)

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