The tower culminates in a platform more than forty meters above the ground in the spreading canopy branches of a giant Kapok tree. On the metal staircase I counted 97 steps up and I'm not sure if this is what made me breathless or if it was the view. So much to see up here. For a start this wonderful Great Potoo was sleeping on a branch of the kapok right by the platform, looking for all the world like it was a part of the tree. After some time it moved its head to one side, giving me the chance of a profile shot. It reminded me of a character from a sci-fi film but I can't quite recall which one. What a great bird, and we were right up close. |

This juvenile Rufescent Tiger Heron clearly shows where the name comes from. However the adults lose all those spots and stripes and they look quite different.