An afternoon flight allowed us to spend the morning in Metropolitan Natural Park in the center of Panama City in what used to be the Canal Zone. 573 acres of forest and trails held 50 some species of birds, seen or heard, while joggers and walkers passed us wondering what we were looking at. There were mammals too: agoutis, coatis, titi and howler monkeys, and even a white-tailed deer! Amazing to see how productive a tract of land in an urban center can be for wildlife.

By 11:00 the heat had built up and the forest quieted. We headed back to the hotel for lunch and the shuttle to the airport.

Our late afternoon flight to David was delayed but only took 45 minutes. We're now in Western Panama, quite close to the Costa Rican border. From David a two-hour drive, half on gravel roads, brought us up to Mount Totumas Lodge (6300 ft). You'd never find this place if you didn't know it was here. We arrived in the dark for a late dinner, and settled into our upstairs "suite" in the main building. There are only five guest rooms in this building plus the kitchen and dining area. Owned and operated by an American family, it's cozy and inviting. The rooms are paneled in wood harvested from the property. We have a balcony tucked into the eaves off our room. It's much cooler at this elevation and tonight we are listening to the wind howling outsude. And wait a minute, as I write this something scurried above our heads. On the roof? Between the ceiling and the roof? Sounded bigger than mice…..