An incredibly strong equatorial sun broke the calmness of the horizon as we awakened on Gardner Bay at Española Island. This low lying island appears to be dry and drab, however we quickly learned that it holds many surprises as we started our exploration. Early morning kayakers paddled along the coast, and as they approach the seashore, life appears in many forms. Large opuntia prickly pear trees towered on the coastal cliffs, anchored to the basalt bed by a shallow root system. Española mockingbirds flitted about, making their lyrical calls, and the occasional Pacific green sea turtle slowly broke the ocean surface to take a breath of crisp cool air. Once the kayakers had returned, we had a hearty breakfast before heading back out to explore the undersea world. Snorkelers headed to Gardner Islet to encounter large schools of razor surgeonfish and white salemas. Halfway through our outing, young Galapagos sea lion pups decided that we might make excellent play mates, and they started to blow bubbles at us and grabbed some of our fins. We eventually ended our morning at one of the most pristine beaches on earth, surrounded by a sparkly turquoise sea.
A short navigation brought us to Punta Suarez and one of the densest wildlife sites in the Galapagos archipelago. A trail of basalt boulders lined our path, and we came across wildlife at every turn. Marine iguanas appeared out of the “primordial soup” as they sunned themselves along the coast, digesting their diet of algae. Galapagos hawks perched upon the highest points, waiting for an opportunity to obtain subsistence. Small Darwin finches crossed our path at every turn and Galapagos doves wandered through the low lying mesquite brush. As we reached the southern cliffs of Española, the waved albatross made an incredible entrance, gliding in just above our heads. Majestic albatross went about their mating dance, jousting with their beaks, swaying their necks from side to side and clacking their bills towards the sky as to exclaim “here I am …” As another day came to a close, and the sun dipped and disappeared into the ether, we reflected on the day. We truthfully witnessed the incredible struggle for life and the future existence for all that breaths, soars, grows, advances, and survives.
