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. The soft morning light reveals termite tunnels leading up tree trunks to giant, high-altitude nests. Red land crabs and lizards scamper on intertwined aerial roots of red mangroves. It s too early to see the larger reptiles.