Mogue, Darien, Panama
The morning came as we approached the Gulf of San Miguel in the Darien gap of Panama. This area is one of the least explored rainforests of Central America. The Darien is a region that includes Caribbean and Pacific beaches, mangroves, swamps, and tropical environments that rise from the pacific dry to the cloud forests of Cerro Tacarcuna at almost 6000 feet. This amazing environment is home to 6 species of monkeys, 6 species of felines and several species of endemic birds. It is also one of the most stable populations of the harpy eagle in Panama.
This part of the country is inhabited by an indigenous group of natives called the Embera Wounaan, one of the largest groups of indigenous peoples in the country. Late morning we disembarked into dug-out canoes, and then proceeded to take a nice boat ride into the mangrove system of the Mogue River. One of the first sightings of the morning was a king vulture, one of the most elusive and rare species of birds. Also in the mangroves we spotted whimbrels, white ibis, a mangrove hawk, even a bat falcon, probably feeding on a sac-winged bat.
As we approached Mogue village, the beauty of this place expanded to include the people themselves. A few dozen of the marvelous children played around the landing while not taking their eyes off of their visitors. As the “rumba Embera” (their local music) was played, the women of the community performed several dances giving everyone a unique opportunity for unforgettable memories.
As we departed, everybody knew that this day of beautiful people and experiences will always be remembered.
The morning came as we approached the Gulf of San Miguel in the Darien gap of Panama. This area is one of the least explored rainforests of Central America. The Darien is a region that includes Caribbean and Pacific beaches, mangroves, swamps, and tropical environments that rise from the pacific dry to the cloud forests of Cerro Tacarcuna at almost 6000 feet. This amazing environment is home to 6 species of monkeys, 6 species of felines and several species of endemic birds. It is also one of the most stable populations of the harpy eagle in Panama.
This part of the country is inhabited by an indigenous group of natives called the Embera Wounaan, one of the largest groups of indigenous peoples in the country. Late morning we disembarked into dug-out canoes, and then proceeded to take a nice boat ride into the mangrove system of the Mogue River. One of the first sightings of the morning was a king vulture, one of the most elusive and rare species of birds. Also in the mangroves we spotted whimbrels, white ibis, a mangrove hawk, even a bat falcon, probably feeding on a sac-winged bat.
As we approached Mogue village, the beauty of this place expanded to include the people themselves. A few dozen of the marvelous children played around the landing while not taking their eyes off of their visitors. As the “rumba Embera” (their local music) was played, the women of the community performed several dances giving everyone a unique opportunity for unforgettable memories.
As we departed, everybody knew that this day of beautiful people and experiences will always be remembered.
