Southern Isabela Island
After a great night’s sleep, without motion of the ship at all, we were ready this morning to observe, and to explore the jagged shoreline of Urbina Bay at the base of the western flanks of Alcedo volcano. We were delighted by the presence of large flocks of small ground finches feeding – on who knows what – in the tidal pools. We also found huge marine iguanas, as well as a few colorful land iguanas that roamed through the drying vegetation.
It is hard to believe how rapidly vegetation has taken over this uplifted area that was once part of the sea floor. We were intrigued by several huge coral heads that stood out in this scenery; irrefutable evidence of the uplift that occurred here half a century ago. Many smaller corals and decaying marine creatures can be seen here and there all the way along the coast. Once back at the landing beach many of our guests took a refreshing dip off the black sand volcanic beach. This beach is a favorite nesting site for sea turtles and the flat upper section of the beach was riddled with their nests.
In the afternoon our Captain, Carlos Garcia, repositioned the ship to Punta Moreno further south on the same island of Isabela. Here we went out for a lava hike. This is a vast pahoehoe lava flows and is one of the largest found in the Archipelago. Hiking along with miles of lava stretching in all directions gives you an appreciation of how difficult and harsh this volcanic landscape is for plants and animals that managed to arrive and colonize these islands place hundreds of thousands of years ago. We came upon three brackish lagoons in the midst of the lava and were surprised and pleased to find frigates bathing and several brilliant pink flamingoes.
A group of guests chose to take the alternate outing: a panga ride with Ruben and Celso. They had a fabulous time and encountered a cormorant attempting to swallow a large octopus, two huge marbled sting rays, and many gigantic, basking marine iguanas and adorable penguins.
After a great night’s sleep, without motion of the ship at all, we were ready this morning to observe, and to explore the jagged shoreline of Urbina Bay at the base of the western flanks of Alcedo volcano. We were delighted by the presence of large flocks of small ground finches feeding – on who knows what – in the tidal pools. We also found huge marine iguanas, as well as a few colorful land iguanas that roamed through the drying vegetation.
It is hard to believe how rapidly vegetation has taken over this uplifted area that was once part of the sea floor. We were intrigued by several huge coral heads that stood out in this scenery; irrefutable evidence of the uplift that occurred here half a century ago. Many smaller corals and decaying marine creatures can be seen here and there all the way along the coast. Once back at the landing beach many of our guests took a refreshing dip off the black sand volcanic beach. This beach is a favorite nesting site for sea turtles and the flat upper section of the beach was riddled with their nests.
In the afternoon our Captain, Carlos Garcia, repositioned the ship to Punta Moreno further south on the same island of Isabela. Here we went out for a lava hike. This is a vast pahoehoe lava flows and is one of the largest found in the Archipelago. Hiking along with miles of lava stretching in all directions gives you an appreciation of how difficult and harsh this volcanic landscape is for plants and animals that managed to arrive and colonize these islands place hundreds of thousands of years ago. We came upon three brackish lagoons in the midst of the lava and were surprised and pleased to find frigates bathing and several brilliant pink flamingoes.
A group of guests chose to take the alternate outing: a panga ride with Ruben and Celso. They had a fabulous time and encountered a cormorant attempting to swallow a large octopus, two huge marbled sting rays, and many gigantic, basking marine iguanas and adorable penguins.
