Guatemala Day Five. My Exploration Of the Jungle And Tikal Ruins Continues
I followed my same routine when I awoke on Tuesday morning during my recent visit to the Tikal National Park in remote northern Guatemala. I was up before the sun, eager to again explore the many trails and the Mayan ruins in the national park. I hoped to see more birds and wildlife then I did on my first four days at the park. I was anxious to continue my search, enjoying every minute walking in the dense jungle that surrounded the ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Tikal. 
I left my hotel and walked to the entrance 0f the park. Once again I was there before the crowds that arrive later. 
I hiked under the large trees on the road that led to the ruins and decided to again hike out on the remote trail to Temple VI.. This was my best chance to see some wildlife and maybe even a jaguar. 
Unfortunately, it was quiet again in the jungle. I heard no animals or birds until I heard and saw this familiar bird, a wood thrush. I love hearing their haunting songs in the woodland of Northeastern Pennsylvania. I had seen dozens here in Guatemala. They migrate here to leave the cold and dark Winter back home. I don’t blame them. I dread the northern Winters too. 
I also saw this sepia capped flycatcher another lifer for me.
I didn’t see many other birds hiking to Temple VI. I didn’t see or hear any spider or howler monkeys either. I hiked on in the quiet as the early rays of the sun began to filter through the trees. 
I hiked out about a mile to Temple VI and then hiked on the Mendez Causeway toward the Grand Plaza. 
The jungle was thick here, 
and I began to see and hear some bird activity. I was finally able to get a photo of a long billed ant wren. I had seen a few of these on my previous hikes but they rarely sit still long enough to photograph. 
I also saw an olivaceous wood creeper , and, a
red throated ant tanager. I have seen both of these birds a few times on my hikes in the national park.
I also saw this pale billed woodpecker. 
The causeway took me to Group G and the ruins of Acanaladuras Palace, which I explored on a previous hike. It is associated with Yik’in a Mayan reigned from 734 AD to 746 AD. 
I then followed another remote trail through the dense jungle to Temple V.
I enjoyed the trail that was covered with exposed routes,
and took me past many structures still covered in the thick jungle vegetation. It would be a great place to see wildlife I though but again it was quiet. 
I did see some more wild mushrooms growing along the trail. 
The trail took me to Temple V , the second tallest structure in Tikal, which I visited the day before. 
This time I walked over to the Plaza of the Seven Temples, as it’s name indicates is a plaza surrounded by seven small temples. 
It was a very scenic area and there were a few small tours exploring the plaza. I did too, crawling up the ruins and imaging what it was like 1000 years ago when Tikal was at it’s peak. 
As I was leaving the plaza I noticed a pair of collared aracari feeding on the fruit of a palm tree growing in the plaza. 
The birds did not mind me watching,
as they feed on the fruit of the palms. They are beautiful birds. 
I left the Plaza of the Seven Temple and made my way to the Grand Plaza. This was my third visit but there is still so much to see and explore.I took in the magestic view of the two large temples before starting on my hike back to the Tikal Inn so I could get to breakfast by 11 a.m. 
I made it back a little early so I decided to explore the campground near the hotel. 
Here I saw a couple of beautiful birds, a female summer tanager,
and this social flycatcher. 
I also saw a few plain chachalaca a sort of Central American wild chicken. I finished my 5 1/4 mile hike just in time to have another hearty breakfast at the Inn. I was once again a little disappointed in not seeing more birds and wildlife on my hike but I still enjoyed exploring the jungle and the Mayan ruins. 
Well I was a little luckier on my afternoon hike. Like the day before I edited photos during the intense heat of the afternoo, but as the sun was getting lower after 3 p.m. I took anothe hike on the trail near the Inn that lead to the pond with the boat-billed herons. 
As I began my hike I noticed another roadside hawk perched in a tree along the trail, near where I saw on on my first day in Tikal.
I hiked out to the pond, a
nd sure enough there was a dozen of the noisy boat-billed herons in the trees along the ponds. There were still no crocodiles near the pond and I was sttarting not to believe the warning sign.near the pond. 
I watched the herons carry on with their loud calls for a little while before walking back.
On the way I saw another collared aracari and
a few more red throated ant tanagers. 
And, I was surprised to see this rufous tailed jacamar singing loudly on a branch along the trail. These birds are not only colofrul they have a cheerful song that reminds me of the cheerful song of the Carolina wrens back home.
I walked bak to the campgrounds I visited earlier where I saw a flock of ocellated turkeys,
andplain chachalaca. Here is a link to a gallery on my blog website with some more photos of the birds I saw on my hike. Guatemala Day Five: Tikal hikes birds November 12 2024. 
It ws getting dark when I returned to the Inn and I showered and rested a bit before heading to the dining room for another early dinner shortly after 6 p.m. I had pasta dish,
with a large salad, another wholesome meal. Here is a link to a gallery on my blog website with some more photos of the birds I saw on my hike. Guatemala Day Five: Tikal hikes November 12 2024. 
After dinner I enjoyed the moonlight tropical skies for awhile, before returning to my room, editing some photos and fall asleep anxious to spend another day exploring this remote and magical tropical jungle and the Mayan ruins. 
Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventures.” – Lovelle Drachman
Recent Comments