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David Sibley with Raúl
on the Canopy Tower Observation Deck
David Sibley came to the Canopy Tower in November of 2002 with a TNC group led by Victor Emanuel. It was his first trip to the neotropics in 20 years and he loved the Tower. I asked him what he thought was the main difference between the birds of North America and the birds of Panama and he replied, more or less, the following: "It is the specialization of local birds that impressed me most. Here every specie has its very distinct habitat and there are so many species in such a small area". |
November 2002
Thanks to Raul and Denise, the perfect host and hostess, for a wonderful time. The trip ran perfectly and the Tower makes an outstanding viewing platform for the forest canopy birds and animals.
- David Sibley
author of the
Sibley Guide to the
Birds of North
America
David Sibley and Victor Emanuel |
Dr. Robert S. Ridgely, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, noted ornithologist, author of the books Birds of Panama and the 4-volume Birds of South America. He led the first group of birders (a Victor Emanuel Nature Tours group) to stay in the Tower.
5 February 1999
Raúl,
Well, it's done! The first birding tour to stay at the Canopy Tower was a grand success. I love the situation (a short drive to everywhere) and the view. You have managed to think of everything, Raúl, and I wish you success in this exciting endeavor. I'll do whatever I can to make it work.
- Robert S. Ridgely |
July, 2001
Raúl,
If I were giving out ecotourism awards, the hands-down winner for 2000 would be Raúl Arias de Para and Panama's Canopy Tower. Of all the places I've visited in Central and South America in the past 20 years, only Chan Chich Lodge in Belize is as outstanding as the Canopy Tower. I'm proud that the first birding group to stay at Panama's Canopy Tower was a VENT group.
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Victor had his birthday (Oct 24th) in the Tower. I brought in a panamanian folk dance group to help us celebrate it. From left to right, Raul, Victor, Barry Zimmer, and the young dancers.
Photo courtesy of Joy Ranz Gilman |
Steve Hilty
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours (VENT), author of A Guide to the Birds of Colombia; Birds of Venezuela; and Birds of Tropical America: A watcher's introduction to behavior, breeding and diversity |
Feb 17, 2003
The Canopy Tower ushers in a new era in tropical ecotourism - comfort and wildlife at your doorstep. This was my first trip to Panama in many years, and a rare experience indeed to dine and relax amidst the tropical forest canopy . Standing atop the tower in predawn darkness and listening to the first stirrings of the forest - the lament of a forest-falcon, the melancholy whistle of a tinamou, the rumblings of howler monkeys - is powerful magic for the psychic. My congratulations to Raúl and all who have worked to make this venture a success. I hope that it proves a model for other tropical lodges worldwide.
- Steve Hilty |
from left to right: Carlos "Hawk Eyes" Bethancourt, Canopy Tower Birding Guide, Richard Payne, President of the American Birding Association, Raúl, and Terry Moore, Director of LEICA Sports Optics Division |
November 11, 2002
Raúl and staff have suceeded in achieving the dream I first learned of almost five years ago. This is an amazing place -- friendly, excellent service, confortable accomodations, exquisite food and incredible birding -- this has been a truly memorable week.
Thank you for the experience.
I will be back soon.
- Dick Payne |
Donal and Katie O'Brien
Donal is the Chairman of the National Audubon Society, former member of the Board of Directors of the Nature Conservancy. |
15 March 1999
This has been one of the great ecotourist experiences of our lives. You have managed to provide a luxurious living and dining experience with superb birding and, perhaps most important of all, a wonderful lesson in conservation. A few days at Canopy Tower will install an environmental ethic in all who pass through. Well done and all good wishes.
- Katie and Donal O'Brien |
Raúl,
Raúl,
You have created an opportunity for all visitors to see, appreciate and better understand the forest and its diversity of life. Fantastic facility operated at the highest level. Thank you for your partnership in conservation of nature and the Harpy Eagle.
- Bill Burnham |
Bill Burnham (at left in hat) is the President of the Peregrine Fund
For more information on the Peregrine Fund's efforts to reintroduce the Harpy Eagle to Panama, please visit its website |
Peggy Ridgely and Jerry Bertrand, Chairman of Birdlife International, trekking in the rainforest below the Tower. |
July 25, 1999
Raúl,
I have had the good fortune to experience many of the best
ecotourism facilities around the world. Few provide such a magnificent
setting, fine food, excellent hospitality and amazing wildlife viewing.
The birds are lucky to have such an enthusiastic champion in Panama.
Your lodge sets a high standard for others to follow. I look forward to
a return visit. Best wishes,
- Jerry Bertrand |
February 2002
The Canopy Tower is a marvelous birding facility; the hospitality and
the food are exceptional and the library is notably replete with
natural history volumes.
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John Rowlett, founder of Field Guides, Inc. |
8 March 1999
Raúl, The Canopy Tower is just wonderful. Having birded this area for
more than 30 years, I knew the birds were "good", but seeing them from
the Tower dwarfed expectations. I'm so proud of what you have been able
to accomplish. I am a lucky man to have been able to have the experience
of staying here and look forward to many more stays in the lodge.
- Dodge Engleman
[Dodge is one of the premier birders in Latin America, with a life-list of close to 5,000 species, he is also the co-author of the section "Where to find birds in Panama" of the book The Birds of Panama.] |
Peter English atop the
Canopy Tower |
January 3, 2002
Raúl,
It was great to visit the Canopy Tower after hearing so many fabulous things about it for years! The birds were wonderful, the food was fantastic, and our group had a great time. From the Blue Cotingas to the Paltry Tyrannulets to the sloths to the kinkajous at night, the Canopy Tower has a set of wildlife attractions that is almost impossible to beat in Central America.
- Peter English
President of Tropical Nature
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Feb 18, 2002
Raúl,
I really enjoyed meeting you and staying at your fabulous Canopy Tower. I've been giving you lots of free advertising among my birding friends.
- Ken Rosenberg
Director, Conservation Program,
Cornell Lab of Ornithology |
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Wendy is the lady in the center, sitting down. She is a well known conservationist and birder residing in New York City. She lead a group of birders in a one week long visit to the Canopy Tower whose experiences were later written up in an article in the New York Times (click for the article). |
Feb 1st, 2002
Raúl,
Raul, what a wonderful week! Thank you for everything, for having the vision to build the Canopy Tower, for days filled with wonderful sights, for more birds and mammals than we could have imagined. I can not say what was the best part because everything was great. Please call if you and Denise visit New York
Abrazos, Wendy
For more about Wendy and her trip visit these links:
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