12-27-11 ISLA ESPANOLA, GALAPAGOS: After another rolling sail to Espanola during the night, we spent the morning on the beach with the sea lions and lots of flies and the marine iguanas decorated in red and green on black. We saw turtle tracks in the sand back and forth to nests high on the beach above the high tide line. Later we saw four or five rays in the surf near the shore, and then, six or eight turtles near the shore. Some of us swam and snorkeled with the turtles.
Later in the morning we went snorkeling, at two different sites, neither exceptionable, with the water sometimes clear, lots of fish, sea lions occasionally zipping through the scene. When we were all back in the zodiacs, we went into a cave with some sea lions. At the back of the cave was the bottom of a blow hole.
After lunch, we did the four km hike on the main island over weathered lava rock and boulders. The island is at sea level on the north side where we landed, gently rising to cliffs on the south side. When we landed, there were lots of sea lions, which we saw everywhere, and lots of the red and green iguanas, the juveniles are only black. The mockingbirds are totally aggressive about seeking water, pecking at water bottles tops and buzzing people drinking. We are not allowed to give them anything.
Later on the trail we saw lots of Nazca boobies, mating, nesting and with eggs and newly hatched young. Blue boobies were also there and immatures of both boobies. The excitement on the walk was the albatross, immatures, and adults in mating mode. Like the boobies, the albatross engage in beak clacking with each other after he presents her with a stick as a nest starter. The other find was two Galapagos hawks, both perched on vantage points scanning for prey. On the cliff side of the island there is a crack in the lava near the shore line that is a blowhole, performing about every sixth wave. We also saw finches and yellow warblers.
After dinner there was another pitching trip to Floreana.
Mockingbird, they are brazen and clever, one tried to open a water bottle by pecking at the top.
Baby sea lion, cute, but you're not allowed near them. If you touch them, it changes their scent and they will be rejected by their moms who rely on scent to ID their babies.
Turtles near the shore have been laying eggs above the high tide line, a multi-day process.
On land the sea lions appear ungainly and clumsy, but in the water they have the speed of torpedoes and agility of a trapeze artist.
The cave can only be entered from the water.
Marine iguana catching some rays. They warm up lying in the sun on baked rocks.
Nazca boobies are named for the tectonic plate under these island. They are also called masked boobies.
The first of two Galapagos hawks we saw.
No basic black here. On Espanola they go for Christmas colors.
The blow hole fires about every fifth or sixth wave.
Albatross in mating ritual. They are turkey-sized, but, unlike turkeys, are great fliers.
Albatross showing some of that seven-foot wing span. Too big to get it all in the frame.
The second hawk, both were perched on the highest local spot and busy scanning the neighborhood.
No comments:
Post a Comment