Bartolomé Island
Our first full day in the Galápagos Islands began with an early outing that was full of interesting surprises. Bartolomé is one of the smallest islands of the Galápagos chain. This tiny formation is a geologist’s paradise. It has earned this reputation because it is an amazing place to find all kinds of geological features in such a small formation. A very young island, with no more than two-hundred-thousand years of age, the barren lava flows don’t have much life. It gives us the unique opportunity to understand how oceanic islands are formed. As we walked uphill, we talked about pioneer species of vegetation and the big responsibility they have to make the soil that other species will eventually use. The Tiquilia or gray matt plant and the lava cactus are slowly making the soil that will lead to the successful colonization of the newcomers. Seeing this very early process of life taking place is like being transported back in time. One of the strong animal species colonizing this place, we find a small lava lizard who faces the difficult conditions of surviving in this harsh environment. Reptiles are some of the strongest creatures and can adapt to live with very little food and almost no fresh water – in distant places they have proven to be to be strongest of all.
As we walked over the sand dunes with the bird watchers, we were surprised by a Galápagos Hawk that flew over our heads. Oyster catchers did not mind us getting very close to take pictures. The snorkelers found some interesting creatures, too—they saw a white tip reef shark and a solitary penguin drying his feathers on shore.
In the afternoon, at Santiago, James or San Salvador we were very active; some of us faced the ocean and the big swells with kayaks, what an adventure!
During the walk along the coast we talked about how Charles Darwin was able to understand the uniqueness of this place by looking at the curious mockingbirds that welcomed us on land as we started the hike. The high tide had forced the different species to pile up together in the very small dry areas of the beach giving us an incredible opportunity to witness how they can live together happily ever after, sharing habitat and not fighting.
As we walked back to the ship at sunset time, we couldn’t be more satisfied, being able to experience the equilibrium in which these creatures coexist gave us hope for the future. It is possible to live together, and humans have made a positive contribution on this fragile ecosystem. We understand that it’s important to keep it this way, not only for us to see it, but for all of the species that have made this place their home.
