In mid to late December the rainy season ends and summer starts. This is the dry and sometimes windy season. The last three days have been very windy indeed! It seems the winds have been stronger and have lasted longer than what I remember from other summers. I can only imagine what it is like higher up in the mountains where it tends to be much windier than down here closer to sea level.
So, it is windy and there are leaves and debris everywhere, and biking home is especially challenging against the head wind. But, there have also been some more unusual occurrences in the last couple days.
The oropendolas have made some nests in a tree in our neighborhood park. The other day I noticed that one of them was missing, one was swinging free, and the third was hung up on an neighboring branch (no worries, it had righted itself today). I can only imagine being in those nests as they swing wildly in the strong winds!
We went back later to see if we could find the fallen oropendola nest, and sure enough it was in the grass beside the road. Here Joel is holding it so you can get a sense of how very big it is. It’s interesting that these birds build these long nests with the entrance up near the top, and climb down into them to lay their eggs and care for their young. Thankfully there were no eggs or babies in this nest! The nests are fairly new so maybe they hadn’t gotten to that part yet.
Then, there was an even bigger surprise. I came home to find our big guaba tree had fallen down, partly into our yard and partly into the street.
The tree had gotten very big and I was going to have it trimmed as soon as the fruit was ready. Then we could all enjoy all the fruit that is too high up to reach.
The tree was full of fruit! Unfortunately it was no where near ready. When mature these very large, hard seed pods are full of seeds with a sweet, delicious, fluffy fruit around them. The whole neighborhood was looking forward to enjoying all this fruit.
We spent the afternoon sawing and cutting and hauling pieces to the woods behind the house. As the yard was cleared I could see that my pretty coconut tree and the plantains were damaged but should recover. I might have lost a yuca or a pineapple plant, but both are easily replaced.
This part of the side fence is going to need some repair. Everyone seems to believe the tree is too damaged and will not come up from the roots.
In any tree, there has to be at least one new and interesting bug. This one finally sat still on my camera case long enough for me to snap a decent photo.
The next day Rubin comes to the rescue. He’s not very big but he is amazingly strong.
Rubin is a master of the machete and quickly made short work of clearing the road. (Thankfully we are the last house on our side of the street, and the neighbor across the street was away so we weren’t keeping him from getting in and out).
It was amazing how much Rubin got done in a short amount of time. When I came home from my morning ride, this is what I found! If you look closely you can see some green leaves on the tree stump. These are actually a baby tree growing next to the stump so maybe all is not lost after all. If this one grows, in a few years we will have another tree.
The yard looks quite different and has much less shade, but now we have a view of the woods beyond.
I have written about the oropendolas in the past HERE. This post has some photos of the birds making nests in this very same spot. Fortunately these didn’t fall down until many months later (and unfortunately landed in the street and were destroyed by the cars). Here also is a video of one of them doing his interesting and unique display.
The guaba, also knows as the Inga or ice cream fruit, is an interesting tree. It is a nitrogen fixing tree and there are about 300 species of them, found mainly in the Amazon rain forest. Some have pods as much as a meter long! Here is another article with some good pictures of the fruit that is familiar to us here.
Oh no! Your beautiful tree full of fruit! I hate that for you. It’s been terribly windy here, too. Today I was to go to Granada for a few days to visit friends, and the ferries weren’t running. We’re stuck on the island until the wind dies down. I guess I’ll go next week. At least Carla has plenty of beer stocked in her pulperia. Aren’t those guys amazing with their machetes and hatchets? They can trim a tree in no time. Hunker down, my friend and watch those head winds while you are biking.
Thankfully there are lots of guabas in the area so I can support the others who sell it. Good luck with your winds! I didn’t think about it shutting down your ferry service. How is Carla? Tell her hi and we think of her.
Great Photos as usual. I’ll trade you, -4* F here (actual temp) and the Chill Factor about -18*F, give or take an Icicle or two. Temp should drop another few degrees before Sunrise. Yikes
Nooooo! I don’t want to hear that. We’re headed north tomorrow and I’m not looking forward to the weather. Thankfully the west coast isn’t nearly as chilly as you are there. Yikes is right
I agree about the stonger & longer winds. I thought I had just forgotten what the winds this time of year in Pedasí were like because they seem to be stronger and lasting most of the day and all through the night more than what I remember.
Hi Kris. You are correct about the winds up the mountain. Here in Boquete they have been incredible. I was talking with a man the other day that measures the winds and he is say some gusts are over 60 mph with sustained wind winds of 40 mph. Makes walking a lot more of a challenge. Have a safe trip.
Rick
How long do these winds last? Is it a temporary thing with the changing seasons or does it persist all through the dry season? I’m very interested in moving to Panama, so I’m gathering as much information as possible.
Windy days are possible anytime in the dry season. It seems though that the recent winds are stronger and lasting longer. Usually it’s just a day here and there. It will be interesting to see what the rest of the season brings.
Thanks for stopping by and for the good wishes 🙂
Do the winds bring good air quality? I know on the Oregon coast we don’t get much in the way of air pollution with our summer winds, but it makes it a bit chilly, even on sunny days. I am hoping that with David’s heat, the winds are not so cold. During the winters when the winds are not as strong, everyone is using a woodstove, so the air quality leaves a bit to be desired. I want to live someplace where one never needs to light a woodstove! Laureen in Florence, Oregon
David is quite warm and the winds are not cold. There isn’t a problem with air quality either. You never need to light a fire unless you want to cook something over a fire. You might like one for heat up in the mountains occasionally but if you are used to Oregon climate you will find David toasty warm.
The Panama Adventure 
Oh no! Your beautiful tree full of fruit! I hate that for you. It’s been terribly windy here, too. Today I was to go to Granada for a few days to visit friends, and the ferries weren’t running. We’re stuck on the island until the wind dies down. I guess I’ll go next week. At least Carla has plenty of beer stocked in her pulperia. Aren’t those guys amazing with their machetes and hatchets? They can trim a tree in no time. Hunker down, my friend and watch those head winds while you are biking.
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Thankfully there are lots of guabas in the area so I can support the others who sell it. Good luck with your winds! I didn’t think about it shutting down your ferry service. How is Carla? Tell her hi and we think of her.
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Great Photos as usual. I’ll trade you, -4* F here (actual temp) and the Chill Factor about -18*F, give or take an Icicle or two. Temp should drop another few degrees before Sunrise. Yikes
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Nooooo! I don’t want to hear that. We’re headed north tomorrow and I’m not looking forward to the weather. Thankfully the west coast isn’t nearly as chilly as you are there. Yikes is right
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I agree about the stonger & longer winds. I thought I had just forgotten what the winds this time of year in Pedasí were like because they seem to be stronger and lasting most of the day and all through the night more than what I remember.
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Ahh ok, so it’s not just me, and it seems earlier in the season too. Batten down the hatches and good luck!
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Hi Kris. You are correct about the winds up the mountain. Here in Boquete they have been incredible. I was talking with a man the other day that measures the winds and he is say some gusts are over 60 mph with sustained wind winds of 40 mph. Makes walking a lot more of a challenge. Have a safe trip.
Rick
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Wow, that is crazy windy! It looks like another day of it today too. Good luck up there!
Thanks for the comment and good wishes 🙂
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How long do these winds last? Is it a temporary thing with the changing seasons or does it persist all through the dry season? I’m very interested in moving to Panama, so I’m gathering as much information as possible.
All the best on your trip to the U.S.
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Windy days are possible anytime in the dry season. It seems though that the recent winds are stronger and lasting longer. Usually it’s just a day here and there. It will be interesting to see what the rest of the season brings.
Thanks for stopping by and for the good wishes 🙂
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Do the winds bring good air quality? I know on the Oregon coast we don’t get much in the way of air pollution with our summer winds, but it makes it a bit chilly, even on sunny days. I am hoping that with David’s heat, the winds are not so cold. During the winters when the winds are not as strong, everyone is using a woodstove, so the air quality leaves a bit to be desired. I want to live someplace where one never needs to light a woodstove! Laureen in Florence, Oregon
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David is quite warm and the winds are not cold. There isn’t a problem with air quality either. You never need to light a fire unless you want to cook something over a fire. You might like one for heat up in the mountains occasionally but if you are used to Oregon climate you will find David toasty warm.
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