Southern Isabela Island
Our morning was very pleasant and full of new experiences. Even though it was early in the morning when we disembarked, the sun was already strong and therefore it made the air temperature rise quite fast. By the time we were taking our walk the humidity was very high, but none of the above really mattered because the island looked splendorous and ready to show us its best!
Part of the island was uplifted as recent as the nineteen-fifties, and we could observe clearly the remnants of this geological event when walking along the coastline and observing mountains of coral reefs that were once underwater. As we were strolling along the path, we could find several land iguanas ready to mate. Bright orange colors distinguished them from the non-breeding ones and we even had a “show” from a couple of iguanas, ready to show us how the mating is performed!
Once back on the beach a group of juvenile Galápagos Hawks filled up the sky, patiently waiting for the baby sea turtles to come out of their nests. In a meantime, some of them decided to interact with some of our guests and crew, landing very close to where people was sitting or even on top of a stick that our Expedition Leader put up high!
The afternoon walk was truly an adventure since most of it involved sorting broken lava flows that were disguising mini-lagoons full of wildlife. Sunken portions of lava flows had created natural shelters for plants and migrant species, creating incredible mini-ecosystems. Even flamingoes were seen feeding in the lagoons, while other shore birds species were flapping around this oasis of life.
At the end of the day we all were filled with the feeling of exploration, which is what matter the most in this incredible world of ours!
Our morning was very pleasant and full of new experiences. Even though it was early in the morning when we disembarked, the sun was already strong and therefore it made the air temperature rise quite fast. By the time we were taking our walk the humidity was very high, but none of the above really mattered because the island looked splendorous and ready to show us its best!
Part of the island was uplifted as recent as the nineteen-fifties, and we could observe clearly the remnants of this geological event when walking along the coastline and observing mountains of coral reefs that were once underwater. As we were strolling along the path, we could find several land iguanas ready to mate. Bright orange colors distinguished them from the non-breeding ones and we even had a “show” from a couple of iguanas, ready to show us how the mating is performed!
Once back on the beach a group of juvenile Galápagos Hawks filled up the sky, patiently waiting for the baby sea turtles to come out of their nests. In a meantime, some of them decided to interact with some of our guests and crew, landing very close to where people was sitting or even on top of a stick that our Expedition Leader put up high!
The afternoon walk was truly an adventure since most of it involved sorting broken lava flows that were disguising mini-lagoons full of wildlife. Sunken portions of lava flows had created natural shelters for plants and migrant species, creating incredible mini-ecosystems. Even flamingoes were seen feeding in the lagoons, while other shore birds species were flapping around this oasis of life.
At the end of the day we all were filled with the feeling of exploration, which is what matter the most in this incredible world of ours!
