Galeta - My New Office!

2/5/12

I have been in Panama for almost a week now and have hardly put out any posts, my apologies things have been a little hectic to say the least!

However now I have a free evening to write to you all and most importantly share some pictures.

Whilst here we are working with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) and is one of the leading research institutions of tropical biodiversity with people studying all walks of biological life from fish to trees and most importantly of course wasps!

They have a numbers of field stations throughout the county but we are based at one called Galeta. It is primarily a Marine Laboratory found on the Carribbean Coast (tough I know but some one has to work here!)

This peninsular was a once a key plea for defending the Carribbean entrance to the infamous Panama Canal in Colon Province with many abandoned ex-military bases dotted around.

It became a field laboratory in the 1960s and recently it also became a great location for environmental and conservation education with many groups of visits and school visiting to learn about the area - they are often very intrigued by what we are dong with wasps.

This a friend I have made at the field station!

Although it may look beautiful the Carribbean postcard picture is not always true the and today we were provided with a  proper tropical storm with torrential rain

Nevertheless at least some days are finished off with beautiful sunsets!