12-28-11 ISLA FLOREANA, GALAPAGOS: This morning we had a wet landing on a dark sand beach of volcanic origin. Looking down the beach, it had a greenish tint, due to particles of olivine, a basaltic mineral. At the back of the beach was a wall of tuff, volcanic ash lithified, and now weathering into coarse sand at the base of the wall and lower down the beach, the finer sand. Resident on the beach the usual herd of sea lions and a great blue heron.
Walking inland, we passed a brine lake, with a cracked mud shoreline and busy piper-like waders. This spot used to be home to the Galapagos flamingos, and we saw them on our previous trip, but the recent Pacific tsunami destroyed the habitat that the flamingos needed, krill, and they’re gone. Moving on across the neck between two volcanic hills, we came to a white, fine sand beach. About six inches down below the white sand was the coarser, darker volcanic sand. Above the tide line were turtle nests and turtle tracks leading to them and, then, back to the sea. In the surf, there were about ten turtles, frequently on the surface. Their shells are four feet long and black. We saw another blue heron on that beach.
After the hike, we snorkeled at Devils Crown, where I had snorkeled years ago. This snorkeling was excellent, zillions of fish and shear rock walls. Watching the fish, in huge schools, they would suddenly all scatter, and a moment later a sea lions would flash through the scene. The water had decent clarity and wasn’t very cold.
After lunch we had another wet landing on Post Office Bay and saw the post office barrel. It is a relic of the whaling era. Outbound ships would leave letters for home in this barrel, and home-bound ships would stop there, check out the mail and take for deliver anything addressed to their home states. The tradition continues, and we picked up mail for Hanover, NH and Thetford, VT.
Later we watched the crew of our boat play soccer against the crew of another boat, assisted by Joey and Jon. Tomorrow—Isabela.
We landed first on this dark sand beach. Can you see a greenish tinge? It's not algae, but olivine, a mineral from volcanic basalt. A volcano, inactive, is visible in the distance.
At the back of the beach is this wall, the source of the beach sand. The wall is made of layers of volcanic ash. There is coarse sand at the base of the wall and finer sand on the beach.
This lake between the two beaches used to be home to flamingos, but the tsunami flooded it and destroyed the krill that the flamingos eat. Flamingos have gone, some to Isabela.
The second beach, across a neck of land and past the lake, is a favorite of the sea turtle. This one is returning to the sea, probably after laying eggs.
Turtle trail, back and forth, to and from the nest, on the left the flipper marks slant toward the water and indicate the upward trek to the nest.
One of several turtles near the beach.
Great Blue Heron working the beach looks just like the ones at our Vermont pond.
Under the fine white sand is coarser, dark sand of basaltic origin.
Crab shoveling in the algae.
Devils Crown is the remnant of a volcanic crater and a great snorkeling spot.
A carpet of fish.
When they all suddenly disappear, look for the sea lion.
The P. O. at Post Office Bay.
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