forest inside El Rosario National Park on the eastern side of Sayaxché; elevation about 125m, (410 ft); the thatch roof is of a shelter in the park's primitive campground, formed with cohune fronds
In this area people call this palm's drupe-type fruit coyol, and eat them. The ones in my hand are too old an hard to eat. "You eat them when they're younger," I was told. "Then they're softer inside. You put sugar on the nuts and they're good to suck on."
partially cleared area beside ruin in Parque Arqueologico El Ceibal, about 15kms east of Sayaxché; elevation ~225m (~740ft); picture features an inflorescence bent to the ground, where a young palm arises
along woodland trail through the extensive Maya ruins in Seibal Archaeological Park about 15kms east of Sayaxché; trees losing leaves at end of dry season; ground heavily littered with fallen fruits, one of which is shown
Sick or injured in some way. No visible external injuries but it let me get very close and had trouble flying away, could only get a few feet off the ground for a few seconds.