If conditions are just right, where these meet the sea a wonderful world of mangrove forests and estuaries forms. I ve been among the mangroves during the day and evening hours, and they are fascinating at that time, but early morning is when we find most activity. Roosting birds start their breakfast hunt. Multitudes of crustaceans scurry to see what goodies the night tide has washed in. Monkeys clamor about, searching for fresh blossoms to munch.
Insects embark on their daily quest for food.
Everyone is up and active with daybreak to accomplish their chores before the tropical sun rises too far into the bright, equatorial sky. A ride through a mangrove forest with a sharp-eyed guide reveals more animal life than one can comfortably imagine. Water birds abound, sitting on branches overhanging the water. White ibis, roseate spoonbills, egrets and green herons are common. Muscovy ducks stop here on their migrations.