Canopy Tower to El Valle
Our day started early with the familiar howls of monkeys echoing through the trees. We made one last visit to the observation deck at the Canopy Tower, before heading of to El Valle. Mealy Parrots, Palm Tanagers, and a Black-cheeked Woodpecker greeted us, as usual. After this peaceful moment, we enjoyed breakfast and said our goodbyes to the wonderful team.
Journey to El Valle
Our next stop was the Canopy Lodge, our home for the next two nights. On the way, a brief stop near Summit Park allowed us to spot a few Crested Caracaras. However, what really caught our attention was the park staff attempting to catch an escaped spider monkey. Its antics provided unexpected entertainment, and we found ourselves cheering it on, wondering if this mischievous newcomer would settle here in Panama. The scenic drive took about three hours, passing through the Panamanian countryside. We crossed the Centennial Bridge over the Panama Canal and continued to El Valle. Nestled 700 meters high in the caldera of an extinct volcano, the Canopy Lodge offered a cooler, refreshing climate. After settling into our luxurious rooms, we had a little time to relax before lunch.
Wildlife Around the El Valle Lodge
Though the bird feeders were relatively quiet during lunch, a large Basilisk munching on a banana caught our eye, while a Blue-grey Tanager made a brief appearance. Closer to our rooms, we spotted a Chachalaca perched in a tree and a family of Agoutis, including young ones, foraging on the lawn. A Green Kingfisher zipped across the river, and we were delighted to see Broad-billed Euphonias busy building a nest in a hanging basket nearby.
El Macho Waterfall
In the afternoon, we walked up El Macho Road, where we saw a Rusty-margined Flycatcher, Double-toothed Kite, Dusky-faced Tanager, Rufous Motmot, and a Roadside Hawk. The walk led us to the stunning El Macho Waterfall, where we took a break in the cool shade. Nearby, we spotted a Snowcap Hummingbird feeding on a bush and a female Three-toed Sloth with her baby perched in a tree. Some of our group stayed behind and were lucky enough to witness the release of a rescued sloth by the waterfall. On the way back, we admired the hedges of morning glory, hibiscus, and rainbow eucalyptus trees. A trail of leaf-cutter ants marching to their nest was a fascinating sight.
Night Walk around the Lodge
After dinner, we joined Alex for a night walk around the lodge grounds. Alongside the river, we spotted a Water Opossum swimming in the spotlight—an incredibly rare sight. Alex mentioned it was only the second time he had seen one. We also had a great view of a Woolly Opossum high in the trees, and a brief glimpse of a Grey Four-eyed Opossum on the far bank before spotting the Water Opossum once again. Near one of the ponds, we came across a large Smokey Jungle Frog and a Cane Toad, wrapping up a truly memorable evening. Finally, it was time to retreat to our rooms for some well-deserved rest