Copan Ruins in Honduras Central America

I am not a birder, but I love watching the little creatures, especially in their native habitat. Imagine then, how happy I was to discover Macaw Mountain Bird Park and Nature Reserve just outside of Copan, Honduras.

The facility boasts native Honduran macaws, breeds from South America like the blue and gold, and green winged macaws, a variety of parrots, and several varieties of the colorful toucan.

Some of these birds were former pets donated to the park. Others were living in the wild, but in danger of being killed by upset farmers for eating their crops. Many Wagner, a North American and conservationist, began the project in the 1980s.

The park is an amazing experience. Trails weave through a tropical landscape of old growth forest with lush local flora and fauna. The area is actually a canyon formed by Sesesmil Creek that provides water to the town.

Most of the birds are kept in large eco-friendly aviaries where the birds can fly freely and climb branches. The first aviary I encountered had 10 or more scarlet macaws, the national bird of Honduras. It was exhilarating to be so close to these colorful, magnificent creatures.

They were only an appetizer for my bird feasting eyes. After passing by other species, like the green wing and blue macaws native to South America, and local birds of prey such as hawks and owls, I came upon the main course, an open area where dozens of macaws, parrots and toucans perched for tourists’ delight.

I had always wanted to see a toucan in the wild and there it was! Not only one, but two colorful, large beaked toucans. My dream had come true. I was up close and personal with a wild toucan.

All of the birds in this observation area are friendly. The macaws perch on visitors’ arms with the assistance of a handler. The other parrots, fluffed and preened, squawked and whistled.

This was a photographer and bird lover’s paradise. I snapped away, grateful that my camera was a digital one with lots of space, and not film.

Macaw Mountain Bird Park and Nature Reserve is a labor of love. To help preserve these magnificent birds is truly a gift to the next generation, not to mention the current one.

To lean more about Macaw Mountain Bird Park and Nature Reserve, visit their website at: www.macawmountain.com

By GLORIA J. MASCHMEYER

A conference on Honduras 2010 will take place in Copan during October 14-16, 2010 at the Municipal Conference Center beside the town’s central plaza.

The event will be sponsored by Special Missions Foundation of Georgetown, Texas. The focus of the conference is education, health care (including HIV/AIDS and clean water), and community building (including micro-credit and caring for orphaned children). The aim is to present and exchange information on current and proposed grassroots projects to empower the people of Honduras. The goal is to improve and expand these efforts, as well as inspire people to go out and get involved.

Casa de Todo is homebase for the Conference on Honduras in Copan. It is located two blocks from the Municipal Conference Center, where the conference is held. Casa de Todo is owned and managed by Sandra Guerra, who is the director of the conference in town.

Reservations should be made at least two months in advance of the conference.

Learn about the Mayan ruins of Copan, Honduras, in this informative video. This is episode 1 in the 17-week series that will showcase the variety of tourism offerings in Honduras. (This video was filmed in July 2009.)

Click for video

Nestled in western Honduras are the Maya ruins of Copan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this video, you’ll learn about this incredible site and how its artistic details differentiate it from other Maya cities…Click the link to see the Copan Ruins Video.

When you go:

You’ll want to set aside about 3 hours to explore the main archaeological park, and up to one more hour for the sculpture museum. Spend the extra money and hire one of the friendly guides – who speak a wide variety of languages.

The landscape in Copan is dry and brown in March and April. For lush scenery, visit during the rainy season, particularly in the fall. Rain showers are common in the afternoon, though.

Beat the heat and start your tour when the park opens at 8am.

(This video was filmed at the Copan ruins in July 2009, in conjunction with the Honduras Institute of Tourism,)

During my recent Christmas escape to Copan Ruinas, I stumbled across a refreshing new alternative: fresh home cheese made right here, in Copan Ruinas.

Cafe San Rafael, a pleasant cafe and coffee store located almost across Carnitas Nia Lola, a couple of blocks from Central Park offers outstanding, gourmet coffee grown in the mountains around Copan Ruinas…Read article by John Dupuis