Isabela Island
Isabela, the largest and tallest island in Galápagos, has so many interesting things to offer to its visitors, so we spent the entire day here for some expeditions. The first stop was Urbina Bay, in between two large active volcanoes and created by an uplift in 1954. The evidence and magnitude of the event is found everywhere; you can see coral and shells all along the inland path.
This is also a place where land iguanas live and nest; since this is the end of the rainy season and lush green vegetation typical of the tropics is all around, they are abundant.
Giant tortoises migrate here from the top of one of the volcanoes at this time of the year so we can see them walking, resting, feeding and even mating.
Birds like finches and mockingbirds are also abundant especially at this time when they are nesting. The birdlife was very active today, making everyone happy.
In the afternoon we visited Tagus Cove where we had opportunities to kayak, snorkel and hike to see a saltwater lake in the middle of a tuff cone. From the Zodiacs we saw sea lions, marine iguanas basking on the rocks, cormorants building their nests, and also Galápagos penguins standing on the rocks or catching fish in the water.
Snorkeling is so beautiful here because a large amount of animals are concentrated here due to the amount of food; we saw turtles, penguins and large schools of fish.
Sunsets are remarkable here, especially when the sun reflects on the surrounding hills, making this place a spectacular stage for pictures.
This island is one of my favorites for its landscapes and wildlife so I am very happy every time I come back here and have the opportunity to show it to everyone.
It was a great day at a great place.
