Urbina Bay and Tagus Cove
Today we’re on Isabela, the largest Island of the Galápagos archipelago; as we did our morning hike inland, the expedition led us to the very essence of this place, the most interesting terrain we could have ever imagined. Isabela was formed out of six volcanoes that have joined together over time. Here, five species of tortoises have radiated from a common ancestor and have become species on their own. The prehistoric-looking land iguanas and the giant tortoises roam among the green vegetation found on the lower areas of the volcanoes. As we hiked this morning, we enjoyed several giant tortoises that have come down to the lower areas where they share habitat with the colorful land iguanas that were warming in the sun along the trail.
A big area of the coast of Urbina Bay was uplifted in 1959, created by the shifting of the lava flows underground. This type of event is not all that rare in oceanic archipelagos, and results in some interesting characteristics: giant brain coral and the remains of the marine life are today fossils found on land, part of the sedimentary rocks that form the coastline of the island.
After lunch we visited Tagus Cove, where the H.M.S Beagle had anchored in 1835, with the young naturalist Charles Darwin on board. We walked up to observe Darwin’s Lake, a brackish water lagoon. It is a beautiful formation in the heart of a tuff cone.
Later we snorkeled with penguins and sea turtles. The waters here are filled with life; productivity is high due to the presence of nutrients in the water, caused by upwellings from the oceanic submarine Cromwell Current. Later on, as we took a Zodiac ride, we again were able to realize the impressive life found everywhere!
At the end of the day, at sunset time, we headed back to the ship… we realize that these islands deserve to be conserved, not only for us humans to visit but for all of the wonderful creatures that have made this place their home…
