Floreana Island
We have been expectant since last night when we were told about the Post Office Barrel. The inherent necessity humans have for communicating triggered some fantasies about old sailors and ancient sagas. So, we had fun at the barrel re-enacting human historical episodes of the islands.
After a wholesome breakfast, we went to Champion Islet for snorkeling. In a matter of minutes we were surrounded by sea lions. Playful as ever with those huge sheepish looking eyes, capable of tendering our hearts and making us feel at home while encouraging us to practice our free diving skills. It was difficult to leave them behind but the show must continue and we have to keep going to our next adventure, to find one of the rarest birds in the world; the Charles Island mockingbird.
In the afternoon the visit to Punta Cormorant made us felt more than accomplished. We found that the flamingos are mating and we witnessed it happening. Some other flamingos decided to enrich our experience by flying over our heads to show off their beauty. Still we were to experience the struggle for survival in the animal world, when a flock of frigates were ravaging a turtle nest. On the other hand we were delighted by the spreading strategies displayed by mangroves; while they are known to be “viviparous plants”. Today we have been able to see the cardinal points of nature expressed on the islands. We saw how life begins its cycle when the flamingos were mating. In the opposite direction the pressure existing in natural environments was shown when the frigates were eating, and how efficiently!
“To be a naturalist is better than to be a king.”
William Beebe
We have been expectant since last night when we were told about the Post Office Barrel. The inherent necessity humans have for communicating triggered some fantasies about old sailors and ancient sagas. So, we had fun at the barrel re-enacting human historical episodes of the islands.
After a wholesome breakfast, we went to Champion Islet for snorkeling. In a matter of minutes we were surrounded by sea lions. Playful as ever with those huge sheepish looking eyes, capable of tendering our hearts and making us feel at home while encouraging us to practice our free diving skills. It was difficult to leave them behind but the show must continue and we have to keep going to our next adventure, to find one of the rarest birds in the world; the Charles Island mockingbird.
In the afternoon the visit to Punta Cormorant made us felt more than accomplished. We found that the flamingos are mating and we witnessed it happening. Some other flamingos decided to enrich our experience by flying over our heads to show off their beauty. Still we were to experience the struggle for survival in the animal world, when a flock of frigates were ravaging a turtle nest. On the other hand we were delighted by the spreading strategies displayed by mangroves; while they are known to be “viviparous plants”. Today we have been able to see the cardinal points of nature expressed on the islands. We saw how life begins its cycle when the flamingos were mating. In the opposite direction the pressure existing in natural environments was shown when the frigates were eating, and how efficiently!
“To be a naturalist is better than to be a king.”
William Beebe
