Guatemala 2008

The Fourth Guatemalan Birdwatching Roundtable brought birders from around the world to Peten, the country’s northernmost department and the site of some fantastic birding. But it isn’t just birders and other nature-types who lick their chops at the thought of northern Guatemala; this region is also the site of some of the most awe-inspiring ruins in the world, Old or New.

This hot lava was flowing slowly down the slopes of the Pacaya Volcano; there were three more active volcanoes in sight, one of them erupting spectacularly every few minutes.