And then the show really began. We left the dark mangrove channels and entered a large brackish lake. A huge island with towering trees had a few flocks of herons and egrets flying towards it and landing on the branches. But within moments after getting there, flock after flock of Scarlet ibis came in! At first a few dozen, but soon flocks of 50 or more began to arrive. The green wall of tall trees soon looked as if decorated by Christmas ornaments! By the time we needed to head back, the island had no less that 3,000 birds. It was astounding. At one point the birds spooked and flew up and around, eventually alighting back onto the island. All this with the towering pink clouds behind them as a result of a superb sunset. The low light from the setting sun appeared to make the ibis glow from within to a rich velvet red.
