South Plaza & Santa Fe Islands
The Galápagos Islands are a very hostile environment, especially during the dry season. Most of the vegetation will lose its leaves and wait patiently for the rain of the next season. Few species are able to survive this environment, but reptiles are masters of survival. They can last for several months without any food or water.
Today we saw two of the three species of land iguanas that live in Galápagos: Conolophus subcristatus or Galápagos land iguana lives in South Plaza and Conolophus pallidus or Santa Fe land iguana, which is endemic to Santa Fe Island.
South Plaza is a small islet full of life! Land iguanas of course, but we saw as well many lava lizards and sea lions during our visit in the morning; the winds blowing from the south are very well appreciated by seabirds such as: Swallow-tailed gulls, blue-footed bobbies, frigate birds, and tropicbirds.
Snorkeling in Santa Fe was one of our highlights! Sharks and rays were spotted, sea turtles were the stars! Our kayakers enjoyed of blue-footed boobies diving and an outstanding view. To close our day on our hike we found the cutest rat in the world! The Santa Fe rice rat!
Today we saw many new species, that’s the magic of the Galápagos: every island is a world unto itself.
