happy new year from red frog beach

Sea Cloud, a lovely cruise boat that pulled in yesterday.  They use serious-looking survival craft to ferry passengers around the harbor.

Originally a private yacht built for E.F. Hutton, Sea Cloud (then Hussar II) was transferred to the Coast Guard and then to the Navy during World War II. Following the war it was returned to private ownership and served as a yacht for numerous people, including as the presidential yacht of the Rafael Trujillo. The ship currently sails in Europe and the Caribbean as part of the Sea Cloud fleet of Hamburg, Germany.

Creature of the day:  Bridled Burrfish, Chilomycterus antennatus

Photos online do not capture the cuteness of this fish.  It hovers like a small helicopter, with its pectoral fins whirring.  I saw it in the mangroves near the boat, with local fishermen out there every day.  It's in the same family as blowfishes- so probably not very good eating.

that's Panama, under those orange rain blobs.

Musicians in town for Bocas Day

what to feed cats in the tropics:

Creature of the day:  Sepioteuthis sepiodea, Caribbean Reef Squid (latest sighting)

On Saturday, we saw eight of these swimming in a line, right in the middle of a high-traffic  snorkel spot.  They are fascinating to watch- they change color as they move over different surfaces.  And the name is irresistible.