North Seymour and Rabida Islands
Everybody has some type of expectations when coming to the Galápagos. Some of us associate the islands with blue-footed boobies, others with giant tortoises, and others with frigatebirds and so many other animals that have become icons of this wonderful place. We hear the stories and see videos about the animals being so close to people, but it is not until we set foot on these islands that we realize how lucky we are to be immersed in this magical world.
This morning our naturalists were very clear that we needed to stay on the trail at all times, but as we moved along the visitor site we had to walk around many blue-footed boobies that were courting, nesting and resting right in the middle of the trail, totally oblivious to our presence! The courtship dance— with the male whistling and the female responding with a nasal honk— filled the island with singular noises that captured our attention most of the visit.
The frigates, perching with their brilliant red pouches, also captured everyone’s attention; they definitely are great subjects for photography with their black plumage, bright red pouches and greenish back feathers that glow as the sun strikes them. It was such a great treat to see the pouches, but also to see the different stages of the juveniles that sat on their precarious nests waiting for mama to come back with some food.
After the walk we thought that nothing could get better, but the snorkeling was just as outstanding: clear water, large schools of yellow-tailed razor fish, white-tipped sharks, huge parrot fish eating the corals and so many fish that swam with us like we were part of their realm.
In the afternoon we repositioned to visit Rábida, the red island. Here, the contrast between the colors is breathtaking; the island is red, the ocean turquoise and the blue sky and the green salt bushes that decorate the beach make the best composition for incomparable pictures and great memories. From the kayaks we enjoyed the peace and quiet of the island; from the snorkeling area we loved the colorful fish and the playful sea lions; and from land we observed Darwin’s finches that once more were oblivious to our presence.
This was our first complete day in the Galápagos and now we know that there is no other place on earth like these magical islands.
