Longfellow wrote his last poem, 'The Bells of San Blas' here.

The San Blas City Hall on the plaza was truly the center of town.

Open air markets displayed indigenous peoples' crafts.

The butcher brought his slabs of beef to market in an open pick-up.

This stout fort overlooked the city of San Blas, and the ocean entrance to the harbor.

The cannons of the fort could reach out to sea.

The Church of the Rosario built in 1788 recalled a proud history.

This estuary allowed us eight new bird sightings.

The panga trip through the mangroves took us to the headwaters that are the water supply of the town.

This American Bittern was our first sighting.

The Great Egret patiently hunts for fish.

A little crocodile sun bathing in the mangroves.

Little crocs become big crocs.

Swimming at the headwaters of the town was a refreshing break from the heat.

This broad-billed heron type was not in our bird book.