List of Species

Here's a list of just a tiny fraction of the diversity we saw in Panama! Thanks for following.

1. Bullhorn acacia - Vachellia cornigera

2. Acacia ant - Pseudomyrmex ferruginea

3. Trumpet tree - Cecropia peltata

4. Gumbo limbo tree - Bursera simaruba

5. Panama tree - Sterculia apetala

6. Leafcutter ant - Acromyrmex echinatior

7. White headed capuchin - Cebus capucinus

8. American crocodile - Crocodylus acutus

9. Common basilisk - Basiliscus basiliscus

10. Red lionfish - Pterois volitans

11. Spotted eagle Ray - Aetobatus narinari

12. Fer de lance - Bothrops asper

13. Casque headed lizard - Laemanctus longipes

14. Jagua - Genipa americana

15.  Black-faced solitaire - Myadestes melanops

16. Ortensia - Hydrangia hortensia

17. Black pepper - Piper nigrum

18. Quetzal - Pharomochrus mocinno

19. Oji de gallo - Cecrospora coffcicola

20. Mozote - Cenchrus echinatus

21. Mahogany - Swietenia macrophylla

22. Black oropendola - Psarocolius guatimozinus

23. Mantled howler monkey - Alouatta palliata

24. Black fire ant - Solenopsis richteri

25. Bullet ant - Paraponera clavata

26. Spectacled caiman - Caiman crocodilus

27. Montezuma oropendola - Psarocolius montezuma

28. Yellow headed gecko - Gonatodes albogularis

29. Sand fly - Lutzomyia longipalpis

30. Plantain - Musa paradisiaca

31. Mango - Mangifera indica

May 28- Ziplines and Coffee

Fabio pulled through and took us on the most amazing ziplining adventure with 13 platforms we swung to and fro. Over the canopy of the trees we caught sight of coursing rivers, tumbling waterfalls, and towards the end, parts of the nearby villages. (Videos coming soon)

After, we met up with the rest of the clan to go on a coffee tour. This little recycled wonderland was a piece of heaven on earth. The plantation consisted of 17 acres and produce coffee that is sold not only in panama but around the world. 

In some places this would just be a rusted out old piece of junk, but the engine of this jeep was used to make the first grinder and roaster on the plantation. Various other parts are used as needed. 

This here is a Tipica tree. As new leaves grow, they are brown but with time they turn more and more green. 

Katura has more coffee production than tipica. Pictured above is a leaf with Ojo de gallo, a parasitic fungus on the coffee plant. In order to keep the plants from dying they do a process of pruning the entire plant, letting it grow back for better production and protection from the fungus.

Flowers of the coffee plant smell like honey suckle.

In between the coffee plants we found a tiny but sturdy hummingbird nest. 

Mosote helps with stomach gas or digestion.

Pacamara is a different type of coffee that tastes like cocoa. In panama, only the red seeds are harvested. We got a chance to taste the seed of the plant and were pleasantly surprised at its sweetness. 

When the coffee is dried by natural sunlight then it is processed. The nectar is then squeezed by a processor and fermented for 17 hours. The last process is the washing of the beans. Different techniques are used to make distinct flavors of coffee.

The taste depends on the amount of sunlight and climate of that area. Everything is done by hand, including the harvesting, the washing, and the roasting.

Gacia leaves vary in color brown to green. And is under attack by a different type of fungus

Cataway is one of the best productions. It lives for about 12 years. Higher production but less quality 

Green coffee is found when the seeds are peeled after being dried. Any foul or broken beans are separated by hand before roasting.

Here you can see the different colors of roasted beans, which vary depending on the amount of time spent in the roaster. The darker the roast, the lower quality and taste. Our guide told us that the reason they began dark roast which is both lower in caffeine and more bitter in flavor, was begun because when coffee was shipped on boats, it was done so along with fish, which would give the coffee a fishy taste which could be overcome by roasting the hell out of the beans. 

Now you can find dark roast coffee in almost every café and Starbucks in America. This allows for companies to use cheaper beans and increase their profit margin. 

We were able to try a cup of coffee and munch on a few beans before we left. 

After, we walked through the city, tried delicious locally brewed beers, and ended our night jamming out with some friends at a bar downtown. 

May 27th - Chiriqui

Today, we embarked on an adventure through the volcano Baru National Park. A hike that would soon become our favorite on this entire journey. There we would find an abundance of life, colors, sounds and waters that will forever remain blissful memories. Among the harmonic orchestra of the jungle were the Blackface solitaires. These beautiful birds sound like a swing set in full swing. 

We stumbled upon many Ortencia in the beginning of our hike, even put some in our hair because they were so pretty. Depending on the acidity of the soil, the color of the flower will change. This is a direct result of phenotypic plasticity. The more acidic the soil, the more yellow the flower.

Sunflower vines, also known as melacolum vivadicathum is a prolific species used as an oral anethsteric. Biting on the flower causes the tongue and gums to become numb.

Sonenasia is part of the tomatoe family, we found these growing along the moss of many stones along the way.

Cowboy spurs- centro fogum

This Black fungus we found towards the end of our hike grew along with black pepper. It is used for garnishing  but is rarely used for cooking due to its absence of smell and taste.

This Dracula mushroom or vampire mushroom is named so because of its appearance. 

This trail is named Quetzal, due to its abundance of the Quetzal bird that are found flying around the jungle. Most of them stay pretty close to the top of the trees. Although we didn't see any, here's a picture of what they look like:

We found many leaves coiled up, and we're pleased to find out they were being used as a cocoon by many a caterpillar. 

After many slips and falls and muddy mishaps, we made our way back to the bottom. Our calves were burning but we all had a big smile plastered on our faces. We headed back to the hotel to enjoy a couple beers and good conversation.