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Escudo de Veraguas
views from circumnavigating
island trips Aug & Sep 2004
This page features photos of Isla Escudo de Veraguas The purpose is to both provide some views of this remarkable
location to anyone interested, as well as to serve as an introduction to those who will be or might desire to travel to this
small group of islands. The details intended to be shown are there for the interested. Please communicate via your
e-mail, or the response boxes at the bottom of the Trips page. We would very much appreciate hearing your views and
comments about this unique place.
Continuing Panama's Jurassic Park virtual tour
The entry into Indian Bay between the islets was a serene, pristine environ that one couldn't have imagined would exist in
such a remote island.
The vegetation of Nature along this side of Escudo can be absolutely amazing! The plants clinging to a small layer of soil
just above the salt water is simply breathtaking!
Vines, leaves with some flowers thrown in for good measure. How many different plants are crowded onto this narrow
shoreline? Most of these small islets are quite steep & the thin layer of soil quite delicate to support this menagerie of life.
Departing Indian Bay, we rounded this point, one of the higher grounds on this side of the isla.
We reached the NW corner of Isla Escudo called Long Bay Point. These large rocks held a variety of both birds (Brown
Boobies here) and prolific, but tenuously situated plants.
This Brown Booby showed little fear of us as we passed very close by. Almost seemed to be saying "..and just whom are
you to be invading my privacy?"
These 5 Boobies just barely have footholds on this rock at the NW corner of Escudo.
West Point, the SW corner of Escudo looking to N. The longest beach is here along the W side of the isla. The page of
Photos from the Land show the 30+ transient casas along this stretch.
Looking East along the S shore from West Point, the small stretch of beach gives way to the most rugged shoreline of the
isla. There is an extensive coral population all along this area, making for shallow and dangerous waters.
Travel along S side across the shallow coral reefs, the higher land area is just inside this area and the coast is the most
rugged of the isla. During the higher wave periods, this sector has the worse wave actions.
At this small beach we noted a couple of turtle tracks where they buried their eggs. We cleaned the area of all tracks to
hide this site from marauders who would take the eggs. Turtles are endangered here, but nothing in comparison the
nearing demise of some species on the Pacific coast areas of Panama.
This demonstrates the steep rock surfaces along this sector of the isla. The slim level of earth available for all these plants
and trees to exist is quite noticeable. That they have been surviving for millenniums is even more awe-inspiring.
The entry into Cotton Bay, from where we started this 'round the island tour, is across this shallow reef system and
between the two islands just left of center. There is a small diamond shaped sign visible, which marks a very shallow rock.
Once past this narrow passage, the 1/2 Km trip to the camp is across shallow sea grass beds.
End of Panama's Jurassic Park virtual tour
