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Guest Comments |
Green Season Birding Package |
Green Season
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24 July 2004
Dear Raúl,
Greetings from the States! I wanted to write to you to let you know how much I enjoyed my stay at The Canopy Tower (July 3-10). The hospitality of your staff, the expertise of your guides (Carlos and Jose), the good food, and the fantastic setting made for a wonderful experience that I will never forget.
I have come to enjoy the Neo-tropics best in the 'Green' Season. The rain usually begins and ends predictably, with most of the day available for birding. Such was the case during this trip. We had a few brief delays, but nothing was cancelled. Besides, I always find the rainforest to be especially lush and alive at this time of the year, the bird behavior to be more interesting, and a greater diversity of animal species to be more active allowing for more encounters.
My bird count for the trip was 163 species, which was fewer than my fellow travelers who were more focused than I. I found myself helplessly distracted by the many incredible butterflies and helicopter damselflies that graced us many of the places we went.
I was stunned to see all three toucans feeding right next to the tower on Cecropia Trees. It was quite something to see juvenile Chestnut-mandibled Toucans being fed beak-to-beak by adults. If that were not enough, a mother and baby 3-toed Sloth spent there time loitering in the same area. Howler Monkeys and Geoffrey's Tamarins came by the tower or greeted us along Semaphore Hill multiple times.
It is also worth mentioning that there are many exquisite butterflies to be seen from the tower and nearby. I encountered 27 species that were spectacular enough that I could identify them easily (including Ancycluris inca, Rhetus dysonii, 8 Heliconias and 3 Morphos - best of all the resplendant Morpho amathonte!). Plus, there were some typically South American species I could not ID. And, I will never forget the three Helicopter Damselflies (Megaloprepus caerulatus, Mecistogaster ornata and M. modesta), enormous and lovely, decorating the sun gaps of the forest.
Sincerely,
John Bowman email me 1 July 2003
Raúl:
My husband and I stayed at Canopy Tower from May 3rd to May 10th, 2003. During that time our guide was Carlos Bethan. He was the best guide we have ever had. He could call the birds, scope the birds and identify the birds all with a great deal of expertise, confidence and enthusiasm. Our trip will never be forgotten and he is the greatest contributor to our memories.
Now that I have typed up my journal and bird list, I can say that we saw 176 species of which 105 were life birds for us. We had a wonderful stay at CT , a vacation we will always remember.
Marcia Garber email me 30 June 2003
Dear Raúl:
Barbara and I wish to express our grateful thanks to Denise, you, and all the people at The Canopy Tower for a wonderful two weeks. Maybe a note for those contemplating a trip during the "Green Season" is in order.
First, this is a well managed operation, and things work from the staff, to the vehicles, to the faucets in the showers. Schedules are set up for birding and are flexible enough to accommodate the flexibility of the experience. Barbara and I are in our mid sixties and have lived in the Atlanta, Ga. area most of our lives. We've tried to make a trip to the tropics at least once a year for the past twenty. The temperatures were about what we are used to at home. We were comfortable in long sleeve, bone fishing type shirts and long pants. I slept under a light blanket a couple of nights. It did rain every day, but we only used our ponchos for about fifteen minutes during the entire stay. It was humid in the forests immediately after the afternoon rains, but there were open habitats to visit during those times.
Mosquitoes were not a problem. The two of us only used less than a half can of bug spray for the entire two weeks. We did get a few chiggers, but not nearly as many as one would expect on a blackberry picking trip in Georgia. The same for snakes.
We were able to visit all the close in places several times with day trips to the Achiote Road area and your beautiful villa at Valle being the highlights. For one contemplating a visit, we also recommend a trip up the Panama Canal, which your staff kindly arranged for us.
Two weeks was about right. Had we stayed longer, we would have gained a wardrobe destroying amount from eating the terrific food. This place hums. It is top notch.
Many thanks, Bill Allen email me  2002 testimonialsJune 2002
Dear Raúl:
Our visit to the Canopy Tower in June could not have been better! There were many fewer tourists, the price was right, and the weather did not slow us down at all. The rainstorms at night with all the thunder and lightening were wonderful to watch from our room in the tower.
I can't believe the number of different birds we were able to see in 6 short days. I think the official count was 150, including toucans, the blue continga and even a tody motmot! Your guides, Carlos and Jose, were absolutely wonderful. Your staff at the tower were fabulous, taking care of our every need.
Your tower is certainly not a place to be missed, regardless of the season!
Betsy Christ email me 17 July 2002
Dear Raúl:
Thank you for the rewarding visit to Canopy Tower during July. You might remember I quizzed you about coming during the rainy season. Only once in 7 days did the rain interfere with an excursion, and in that instance we just got wet because the birds were so great. 203 total species were seen, which included for me 85 life list birds. Highlights were the Blue Cotinga, right from the Tower in close view multiple times, easily photographed. Other finds, the Great Jacamar, Common Potoo, Collared Forest-Falcon, Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, White-headed Wren, and my first antpitta, the Streak Chested. We all appreciated Carlos' excellent and enthusiastic guiding and going after difficult species. Also thanks to the rest of the staff for excellent food and attention to detail. Finally thank you for what you are doing to preserve the forest and helping contribute to the local economy.
Yours,
Duncan Himes email me 30 July 2002
It was wonderful.
J.W. Sifford (Hurst, Texas) email me 30 July 2002
We loved the "Rainy Season" Package. Every afternoon we had lovely siesta to the sound of rain. It cooled things off and quit just in time for afternoon birding. What could be better?
Grace Hawthorne & Jim Freeman (Atlanta, GA) email us 16 August 2002
A great "Green Season Package". Carlos is a great guide. The best views are right here at the Canopy Tower. The food is tasty and healthy. Refreshing. Great Ambiance.
Carole & Stanley Klein (Pittsburg, PA) email us 16 August 2002
The Green Season was great. I was here last year in November and saw so many different birds & wildlife this time. I'm from Madison, WI USA, and our humidity right now is about the same as yours. It was a great experience to visit during the green season and next time I'd like to return during a different time to get the full experience. Great staff (especially the cook) & great service. See you again.
Karen Goldamer (Madison, WI) email me 24 August 2002
This is a unique, wonderful place - here "at the top of the world", viewing the beautiful birds & the Panama! Our guide, Carlos, is superb! All the staff is courteous and takes wonderful care of us. It is a privilege to be here.
Don & Dixie Weaver (St. Wayne, IN) email us 24 August 2002
What a wonderful week! The tower and its surroundings are magnificent, and Carlos topped the list. The food was exquisite and the entire staff quite gracious. We are so grateful for the "Green Season" Package that enabled us to come. Thank you so much for an excellent week.
Jane Weaver & Sheila Leech (Quito, Ecuador) email us 24 August 2002
I spent a marvelous week at the Tower from 8/17-24/02 and saw fabulous birds (173 species in all). A wonderful setting, great accomadations, good and abundant food, a warm and helpful staff (especially Grace), and Carlos - a superb guide who works as hard as he can to find the birds one most wants to see. Can't recommend CT highly enough - and I plan to return as soon as possible.
Gerry Weinberger (Doswell, VA) email me 5 September 2002
A great week (plus!) and so many wonderful birds to see, topped by the Blue Cotinga right in front of us - many lifers and also mammals to see (and hear!). The food was great too, and the staff helpful and courteous...
Special appreciation is due to José, our wonderful guide, for his patience, enthusiasm and (most of all) his knowledge of the birds!
Gail Mackiernan & Garry Cooper (Silver Spring, MD) email us 5 September 2002
Great location, great birds, good company, excellent guides. Thanks for the good time.
Joe Halpin (Silver Spring, MD) email us 5 September 2002
You know it's been a great vacation when you have plenty of stories to tell back home. The hospitality, service, and food have been top-notch. And oh - the fun!!
Special thanks to José, who has been our window to Panama. You could not have a better "eco" representative. We've found new friends and hope that our paths cross again soon. Thanks to all at Canopy Tower.
Nancy Lyman & Gary Sowell (Columbia SC) email us 12 September 2002
We really enjoyed ourselves at the Tower. I am so glad we were finally able to come. I think you have found a jewel in Grace - her name is perfect as I don't think I have ever met anyone so gracious. We were also very impressed with José's knowledge and enthusiasm and hope he'll be with you when we return.
Brock and Libby Huffman email us 27 September 2002
It’s been a fabulous week! Birds! Birds! Birds! Such wonderful people & hospitality to burn!
Mary Dommermuth email me 27 September 2002
Una semana en paraiso. Gracias a todos.
Pic Bailey email me 27 September 2002
What a wonderful week! Such great hospitality, birds & other animals! Thanks for so much help-birding & otherwise!
Howard & Alice York
email us
Paul H. Johanson email me 27 September 2002
We have had an absolutely wonderful week of birding, complemented by a superb stay at Canopy Tower. Not only were the birds exceptional, but Carlos Bethancourt was an outstanding –indeed extraordinary- birding guide. We look forward to returning.
Chuck & Nancy Bell
American Birding Association email us 27 September 2002
We came, we ate, we birded.
Chuck Almodale (Santa Monica CA, USA)
J. Caesar (Rome, Italy)
P.S. Can we take Carlos Home???
Lillian email me 4 October 2002
When I arrived the first day and climbed to the top of the Tower I felt that this is the way the world should be. Looking out over all this green transports you to a different world. We've loved our stay and enjoyed every activity. I saw more birds in 4 days with José than I did in 10 days in Costa Rica with another guide. José is a fantastic birding guide and a nice guy, too.
Mary Vester (Los Angeles Audubon) email me 4 October 2002
A room with a view, and what a view! The Panama Canal is quite a sight. This place is such a delight. Host Raúl exceeds graciousness and has set
an example for the entire staff. Food was marvelous. Rooms are comfortable and well kept. And to top it all off -- so many birds! José is a knowledgeable guide who seems to talk to the birds. He made all of our outings real adventures -- and fun too!!! Thanks! Thanks!
Sandy Sawyer (Rochester, IN, USA) email me 4 October 2002
Never have I seen such a wonderful spot to enjoy birds. I will heartily recommend to others the wonderful way we've been treated this week. Thank you, Raúl -- you've touched many lives. José, you're a perfect guide!
Billie Rakestraw (Rochester, IN, USA) email me 4 October 2002
Felt very welcome when Raúl came to greet us. Obviously, he sets the tone of good hospitality and congeniality and that feeling is also expressed by Grace and entire staff!
It has been a fantastic week with wonderful birds, marvelous food, and a very pleasant professional staff. We had very few nasty insects and only one or two rain showers. Birding from Canopy Tower is a unique experience -- a perfect place! José is a jewel. He is a wonderful guide besides being so nice and just a sweet young man. Thanks Raúl.
Suzanne Belcher (Rochester, IN, USA) email me 5 October 2002
Coming to the Canopy Tower is coming to a real paradise. You have
changed my life, Raúl. My stay here has given me the desire to become a birder. Under the wonderful tutelage of José and the amazing amount of birds here, I now see the wonder of birding. I saw -- actually saw personally -- 159 birds in 6 days and I am a novice. The rainy season is the perfect time to be here. The accommodations have been beyond my expectations. Rooms, staff and food -- not to be beat. Thank you so much for your warmth and graciousness. I shall be back soon.
Sharon Campbell (Burbank, CA, USA) email me more: Trip Reports
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