Subject: [Tweeters] American Bittern in Panama
Date: Jan 10 12:37:41 2006
From: Bob Whitney - rlw at cablespeed.com


It's been 37 years ago. I was in the Army stationed in the Canal Zone
working at the jungle warfare center. A class has just ended and I had a
few days off. I had bought a dugout canoe from the local Kuna native people
for $15, very nicely made. With help I loaded the canoe into the back of
an army deuce and a half truck. I had a friend drive me to the Chagres
river mouth where the old Spanish fort sits.
This is where the French tried unsuccessfully to build a sea level canal
across the isthmus.
I started up the river. After several hours of paddling, I saw a Caiman
sunning on the bank of the river. I paddled closer for a better look.
There in the overhanging tree stood the Bittern looking to the sky. I
watched the bird and the Caiman for several minutes and paddled on.