North Seymour & Rabida Island
Today it was our turn to visit the Island of North Seymour. At the landing site, it was very active: schools of different types of fish, brown pelicans fishing, with brown noddy’s hoping to steal something from their catch.
We also saw Galápagos sea lion pups playing in their nursery along the coast line and having fun with each other. Once we set foot on the island our guests were overwhelmed with the barrenness of the place; it looked like it had never rained here. But it only looks like this; this appearance is due to the cool dry season which is almost over. But NOAA has just predicted the phenomenon la Niña, which brings cold water to the eastern Pacific, creating an area of high pressure which brings draught everywhere.
So for this year and the season ahead, it looks like the finches are going to suffer, especially the ones with smaller beaks. This is survival of the fittest. While we walked through Seymour, we had the opportunity to see both species of frigatebirds – magnificent and great – the males with red pouches doing some courtship display. Both species had chicks and they were also nesting
We also saw the land iguanas, blue-footed boobies, lava lizards, sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs, and more.
While we were having a delicious lunch, the National Geographic Endeavour cruised toward the island of Rábida. There we had all the different activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, glass-bottom boating and swimming at the beach.
Later we went ashore and had a wonderful exploration of the island, its gorgeous red sand with the always beautiful sea lions laying on it. Tomorrow will be another great day in paradise.
