Santa Cruz and North Seymour Islands
Our journey began today in the early morning on Santa Cruz Island the second largest island in the archipelago and the one that has the largest human population. This morning we took buses to the highlands where we explored a section of a territory right in the way of the giant tortoise’s migratory path towards their breeding grounds.Soon the mating season will start for these animals as the warm season is beginning, this is important for their survival and especially for the incubation of their eggs. After mating these females tortoises will go to the low lands where they can lay as many as 26 eggs once this process is over they will never see again their eggs and youngsters.
We encountered several males and females and even a couple underneath a bush still sleeping. Others were already feeding on the green lush vegetation, while some were heading towards a little fresh water pond where white-cheeked pintail ducks were feeding.
After looking for tortoises we explored a lava tunnel and had a great time looking into it. Once we reached the end of it we got to the restaurant and a delicious breakfast reloaded us with energy for visiting and shopping in the town of Puerto Ayora.This afternoon was very special and we got on to North Seymour Island which was full of wild life. We encountered several groups of baby Galápagos sea lions that were waiting for their mothers just like in a nursery. Galápagos marine iguanas were observed on top of some bushes while other males were on the lava rocks displaying their colors and aggressive behavior, and in this way looking more attractive to females. Some male blue-footed boobies were also seen trying to find mates, displaying their courting dance everywhere; same story with magnificent frigate bird males and their red gular sacs.
After a thrilling day we came aboard to enjoy our recaps and talked about the highlights.
Our journey began today in the early morning on Santa Cruz Island the second largest island in the archipelago and the one that has the largest human population. This morning we took buses to the highlands where we explored a section of a territory right in the way of the giant tortoise’s migratory path towards their breeding grounds.Soon the mating season will start for these animals as the warm season is beginning, this is important for their survival and especially for the incubation of their eggs. After mating these females tortoises will go to the low lands where they can lay as many as 26 eggs once this process is over they will never see again their eggs and youngsters.
We encountered several males and females and even a couple underneath a bush still sleeping. Others were already feeding on the green lush vegetation, while some were heading towards a little fresh water pond where white-cheeked pintail ducks were feeding.
After looking for tortoises we explored a lava tunnel and had a great time looking into it. Once we reached the end of it we got to the restaurant and a delicious breakfast reloaded us with energy for visiting and shopping in the town of Puerto Ayora.This afternoon was very special and we got on to North Seymour Island which was full of wild life. We encountered several groups of baby Galápagos sea lions that were waiting for their mothers just like in a nursery. Galápagos marine iguanas were observed on top of some bushes while other males were on the lava rocks displaying their colors and aggressive behavior, and in this way looking more attractive to females. Some male blue-footed boobies were also seen trying to find mates, displaying their courting dance everywhere; same story with magnificent frigate bird males and their red gular sacs.
After a thrilling day we came aboard to enjoy our recaps and talked about the highlights.
