Panama - exploring El Valle

Having recovered somewhat following our enforced break we were keen as mustard to get out and about.  We explored the various recommended trails and birding locations around the valley and really enjoyed it.

We saw Black-chested Jay, finally getting close enough to one to photograph it:

Crimson-backed Tanager:

Red-crowned Ant-Tanager:

A typically vocal Roadside Hawk:

Rufous-breasted Wren, a very distinct looking little bird: 

another colourful example of the butterfly species in Panama:

On the second and last morning we met-up with a Spanish only speaking guide who we'd been recommended to by our bird guide in Darien.   We communicated with broken 'Spanglish' and hand signals and he took us into some forest where, he knew we would find... Spectacled Owls!!

Big birds, silent fliers and very vigilant, a cracking experience!

We also then went for a walk up one of the abandoned roads leading higher into the caldera.  We didn't see much on this trek but we were overflown by a White Hawk:

We spent the afternoon resting again, as we still really need to.