01 Schiphol International Airport, Amsterdam

2015 Panama Scenes and Other Wildlife

Folder: Central America
This album covers our trip to Panama via the international flight from Amsterdam, and our stay at two hotels near the Soberania National Park just north of Panama City. The first week was south of the Park in Paraiso, whilst the second week we stayed north of it at Gamboa, both close to the Panama Canal. Here are some of the scenes and animals which we saw at both places during our stay. A set of …  (read more)
109 Bug 5: Leptoglossus phyllopus (Leaf-footed Bug)

109 Bug 5: Leptoglossus phyllopus (Leaf-footed Bug…

31 May 2015 126
Coreidae - Body Length: ~30mm. Spotted on a night walk at Gamboa, it appeared to be feeding on a small fruit up in a tree, so this had to be a flash photograph at about 4-5metres distance. This is a cropped and enhanced picture, and it is interesting that another Reduviid nymph was also feeding at the same time.
110 Forest Cockroach

110 Forest Cockroach

31 May 2015 123
Blattodea - Body Length: ~20mm. A common insect seen on the undergrowth during night walks.
111 Harvestman Spider

111 Harvestman Spider

31 May 2015 117
A single Specimen found on a night walk at Gamboa.
112 Young Iguana

112 Young Iguana

31 May 2015 152
This ~400mm long youngster was spotted on a night walk at Gamboa.
113 Gekko

113 Gekko

31 May 2015 131
A 130mm small individual, which lurked on the wall at night near our light trap, waiting for its evening meal.
114 Two-Toed Sloth

114 Two-Toed Sloth

31 May 2015 126
On a night walk, I was searching for Phasmids along the track when I heard a rustling sound getting closer in the Jungle behind me. Every time I turned the light on the area it ceased for a while and started again when dark. In the end I headed into the area and spotted a white furry hump in amongst the leaves moving towards me. Waiting a little while with the light averted, I returned it back to be face to face with a grounded Sloth, who looked just as surprised to see me.
115 Two-Toed Sloth

115 Two-Toed Sloth

31 May 2015 140
Quickly averting the light to avoid dazzling it, I decided to take a couple of pictures, and apologising for disturbing it, backed away and went up the trail a few metres, occasionally checking it as it crossed the trail. It took about 15 minutes to cross, and then disappeared into the Jungle in slow motion.
116 Melanis electron (Electron Pixie)

116 Melanis electron (Electron Pixie)

31 May 2015 170
This butterfly was found in the light trap one morning, and originally thought to be a moth. Butterflies were common in the area, but rarely settled anywhere, so this was an opportunity to get a picture.
117 Leaving the Hotel, Crossing The Gamboa Bridge

117 Leaving the Hotel, Crossing The Gamboa Bridge

07 Jul 2015 117
The end of our holiday, packed and returning south to the Airport.
118 Crossing The Gamboa Bridge

118 Crossing The Gamboa Bridge

07 Jul 2015 146
This bridge looks very uncertain, as the road track is now lined with loose Railway Sleepers. Our Taxi driver negotiates it with care.
119 Time To Go Home And We Leave A Storm Brewing

119 Time To Go Home And We Leave A Storm Brewing

07 Jul 2015 121
As we depart, distant rumbles of Thunder and a blackening sky herald a large approaching storm. Meanwhile, we head south across the river bridge to head for the airport, and so miss it all. On the far bank of the river is the Los Lagartos restaurant which we ate at some lunchtimes.
120 Panama City By-Pass

120 Panama City By-Pass

07 Jul 2015 116
A busy area as we travel around Panama City. Amazingly pedestrians were crossing the lanes of the fast moving traffic.
121 Our "Blue Bird" Arrives From Its Outbound Journey

121 Our "Blue Bird" Arrives From Its Outbound Jour…

07 Jul 2015 144
Strangely, this plane appears to be far away from its regular routes with a livery of KLM Asia!
122 Baggage Sorting - Open Air Style

122 Baggage Sorting - Open Air Style

07 Jul 2015 153
It was interesting to see on-bound luggage being sorted for different flight containers out in the open.
123 Plane 9 o'clock Low!

123 Plane 9 o'clock Low!

07 Jul 2015 134
Nearing the UK on the final part of the flight. With an in- line closing speed of around 1000 mph as the two planes pass, there wasn't a lot of time to catch this shot as it passed around 6000 feet below us. No time for a second shot, and taken quickly with my iPad.
124 Our Plane's Shadow On the Sea Approaching Amsterdam

124 Our Plane's Shadow On the Sea Approaching Amst…

07 Jul 2015 161
You only occasionally get a chance to see your own plane's shadow on the surface over 3000 ft below, but it was another "quickie" taken with my iPad.
125 Dutch Bulb Fields

125 Dutch Bulb Fields

07 Jul 2015 131
The final approach to our landing at Schiphol International Airport, Amsterdam took us over this colourful patchwork of flower fields. Presumably they were Tulips, but I couldn't make out the varieties. ; )
126 The London Shuttle Awaits Us.

126 The London Shuttle Awaits Us.

07 Jul 2015 125
Still more travels before we finally get home, although we are glad to be back into Europe. Certainly the beautiful sunny day took away the after-effect of returning from a nice holiday.
126 items in total