Escudo de Veraguas
views from on the island
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This page features photos of Isla Escudo de Veraguas on-island scenes; and the first page features photos
taken from off-shore vantage points. 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. Photos taken back in 1998 during our initial visit were lost. Consequently, from
the trip we made 9 July, 2004 and from subsequent trips expected the next few months, photos will be added
as obtained, and as warranted by their quality. This initial set was taken during an overcast day, and thus are
not very exciting. 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.
View due N from West Point along the main beach of Escudo. Considerable small drift wood is higher up, due
to big storm waves, and also a lot of plastic trash thrown up as well. The area near water is small stuff, mostly
biodegradable leaves and small pieces of wood, and not so much trash. The sailboat Just Do It from the Bocas
Marina. The main beach ends just the right of the direction to the sailboat.
At least 250 m past the last photo, this first casa is probably one of oldest, and is well hidden in the trees. It
looked more like two lean-tos onto each other.
This 2nd group is also nearly invisible in the trees and growth. Both this group and previous must be about
the oldest, owing they are virtually not visible until one walks up to them. Conditions of these were much less
than those further on.
This 3rd group is obviously younger than the previous, but also older than subsequent units. These were the
first that appeared to have been recently occupied. Main Beach, W side Escudo de Veraguas.
The same 3rd group, but viewed from up-beach side. The recent occupancy was clearly evident.
This 4th group was clearly the largest and quite recently occupied. There were numerous repairs to termite
damage in-process or done, and there were new structures under partial construction as well. It would
appear his could be a central location for all who were on-island at the time - assuming such structure exists.
Louis at the 4th group. There were about a dozen structures in all, some of which were multiple use and
rooms as if they were added to an initial unit. The overall layout suggests some sort of communal center.
About mid-way up the Main Beach, this recently constructed casa was still in need of a floor. Simple, yet
effective construction provides adequate shelter. We saw numerous incidents where longer standing
structures were being repaired due to considerable termite damage. Escudo de Veraguas.
View to end of Main Beach with Long Bay Point beyond. Considerable driftwood lies on upper beach, owing
the affects of heavy storm surge and the lack of much use by the few transients. Note that water level is not a
factor, as tides only have a maximum difference of 2 feet and the upper beach is about 6 feet above the tide!
Near the end of the Main Beach, the last casas have clearly been occupied recently. One interesting aspect to
these observations, was the lack of garbage around the casas, such as might be expected. There is a large
amount of plastic type garbage thrown up all along the upper beach, but obviously by wave actions.
Long Bay Point from the end of the Main Beach, Escudo de Veraguas. From here on to N the cliffs are steep.
At the larger group about mid-beach, the rear area was well-kept and had a variety of plants placed o for
ornamental purposes. The jungle visible along most of our travel seemed to indicate a heavy secondary
growth near the probable areas of past human occupation. Although there is purportedly little interior
penetration, there could well be primary growth in those areas.
From the beach at West Point, Yari prepares to return to Aguila del Istmo before the expected high wave start
to build. As we returned past Punta Valliente, there were frequent significantly increased swells exceeding
7-8 ft over the 3-5 ft we had earlier in the morning. Escudo de Veraguas
Yari pointing out the ripe Noni fruit just after we
landed at West Point. The beach on this side was
considerably clean of driftwood compared to the
Main Beach about 200 mtr away.
Escudo de Veragus 09JUL2004
Yari at one of the 5 small fresh water streams we
came across during our walk up the Main Beach.
Some were running several hundred gals/min rate
which leads credance to the purported large lake
within the Isla proper.
