Men’s Journal does Stand-Up Paddling Boarding on the Rio Cangregal!

Not the smartest thing to do, but they somehow convinced Udo, the owner from Omega Tours on the Rio Cangregal, to let them Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP)  down the Rio Cangregal.  There are Class V rapids there you know!

http://www.mensjournal.com/adventure/watersports/standing-up-on-hondurass-wild-rapids-20131120

The Rio Cangregal is a frequent destination pre- or post-Utila for some amazing relaxation in the jungle, horse-back riding, or rafting on the river.

There are some amazing cabins and accommodations on the river from

Villas Pico Bonito and their awesome infinity pool that looks out onto the mountain range:

View from the beautiful infinity pool

Omega Lodge and many more

Jumping into the river-fed pool!

Look at the amazing reflection in the lagoon…

Kayaking through the lagoon…

Another great topside activity of Utila, if you’re not into the bar or party scene.

Kayaking or Stand-Up Paddle Boarding

through Utila’s many lagoon systems.  It’s so tranquil.

East end Lagoon System

A great flipside to the night scene in Utila!

We’ve got crabs!

But it’s okay. They’re the good kind!

This was HUGE!

More diversity!

We’ve got land crabs and water crabs.  Sea crabs and fresh water crabs.

There’s probably other types of crabs here too, but let’s not talk about them!

A great Utilian dish is land crabs in coconut milk!  Mmmmmmmmmmm!

The land crabs are out in the hundreds when it’s raining like today, as

their homes get flooded!

Ruby Throated Hummingbirds – Are feeders bad?

Making their nests in the strangest places!

One of the beautiful residents of Utila

Hummingbirds make their nests in the oddest places.  This little Mamma took a hanging rope used for drying laundry and made her nest.  She has repeatedly used the same nest several times.  Mamma bird simply tops off the nest to make it deeper and deeper, and tops it off to reach her eggs.  There are always two eggs.  

There are a few types of hummingbirds in Utila, and this is probably the most beautiful one.  The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, or Colibri in spanish.

I had taken the feeders down when I heard they are not healthy.  But have discovered after investigating, that as long as there is no red dye in the feeder, they are okay!  I had to move it however, because the Mamma bird’s nest was too close to this feeder for her comfort.  It would stress her out when other birds would come to feed.

This feeder also brings out the bats!  If I don’t bring in the feeder, the bats can drink the entire syrup in one night!