The land the park is currently on was given to the USA in 1903 as part of the Hay-Buneau Varilla Treaty that gave the US 5 miles of land from each side of the interoceanic canal.
Jimmy Carter signed the Panama Canal Treaty which promised to give the canal back to Panama by the year 2000. The canal was actually given back to Panama in 1999.
The park is now home to a diverse population of mammals, birds and reptiles and also serves as a rehabilitation center to orphaned animals.
Michelle drove as Ted was at work.
We arrived around 9:45 and parked the car. While Michelle was getting PJ out of the car a ranger was pointing to something in the tree closest to us. So naturally I wandered over and they wandered away to begin their hike. I looked and looked and looked for a sloth in the mango tree.
and then I saw him!!
I was so excited to see one in the wild even if all the rangers knew exactly where he was always going to be.
We then proceeded to check in and pay the entrance fee. $1 for residents and $4 for non, great price for the ability to hike several trails and see wildlife within the city limits. We were with PJ and we were not sure how far along the trail he was going to make it before they had to turn around and go to the playground for food but we were optimistic.
We saw a hummingbird as soon as we started on the trail.
We moved on the lagoon and spied loads of turtles...
and some spied us too.
A gentlemen who was leaving the park told use there was a sloth in the tree so we went off to look. We looked and looked and looked. A park ranger happened by so we asked him where he was and he brought me back to the lagoon and pointed one out. Mike said that is not the one the man was referring to and he kept looking. Mike found a sloth
who was climbing down the tree...
and then sadly fell off the tree and landed on the ground.
We watched him for a minute and he did not move so Michelle went to get the park ranger as she speaks Spanish.When they arrived back the sloth was moving and the ranger said he would be ok.
So we watched the sloth cross the road.
The ranger decided he was taking too long so he stuck a branch under him and lifted him to a safe zone
where his friend was already snoozing.
Mike a little leery of getting too close to those claws.
So 4 sloths in less than an hour. I could not have been happier!!!
We continued down the path to see what else was out there. Makes you think of all the animals that are watching us that we cannot even see unless they choose to fall out of a tree or make enough noise or motion for us to see them.
As always I love the different textures in the forest
and Mike finds all the things that hide so well.
At the top of the path you could see Panama City.
We descended at meet up with PJ and Michelle and relaxed in the shade of the picnic area. Mike found some monkeys and headed off to photograph them.
but found them quick footed.
and Michelle went to amuse PJ so I wandered to the banana tree
and was surprised to see the ground cover moving and then spotted an armadillo.
He was kind enough to make a clear showing and walk out across the field.
We walked out of the park and saw a squirrel bird,
birds eating
and perching
I think we all had fun even if we were a little hot and tired!!
and perching
I think we all had fun even if we were a little hot and tired!!
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