Isabela & Fernandina Island
This morning we navigated alongside Isabela Island’s volcanoes. The panoramic view was spectacular because the lava flows of this island are particularly young (only a few years old) and it completely dominates the landscape. Isabela and Fernandina are sitting over the hot spot in Galápagos and it is well known that every four or five years an eruption occurs.
In general the Galápagos Islands are a dream to geologists, biologists and naturalists in general, because it is here where one can see clear and simple the evolution process of the unique species of flora and fauna, as well as the natural geological changes of volcanic islands.
One of the main examples of this evolution process is the adaptation of two flightless species of birds, the flightless cormorant and the penguins. We were very impressed to see how the cormorants’ body has changed into a more hydrodynamic shape, almost loosing all the feathers in their wings. If the evolution pattern of this bird goes in the same direction as penguins, then eventually these “wings” would transform into penguin-like flippers. Our guests had the opportunity to se how this bird, instead of flying, was walking and hoping over the lava rocks.
During the afternoon we had a nice and relaxing walk over the island of Fernandina; almost every step of the way we saw an endemic animal! Our guests were fascinated with the giant colonies of marine iguanas we encountered, and nobody could resist takeing another shot of the sea lions, especially when we encountered a cute baby only a few months old!
We all came back on board after a great time, and as we observed the horizon, we noticed the whales’ spout high in the air. Too bad the sun was setting when we saw them, but even then the view couldn’t get any better!
This morning we navigated alongside Isabela Island’s volcanoes. The panoramic view was spectacular because the lava flows of this island are particularly young (only a few years old) and it completely dominates the landscape. Isabela and Fernandina are sitting over the hot spot in Galápagos and it is well known that every four or five years an eruption occurs.
In general the Galápagos Islands are a dream to geologists, biologists and naturalists in general, because it is here where one can see clear and simple the evolution process of the unique species of flora and fauna, as well as the natural geological changes of volcanic islands.
One of the main examples of this evolution process is the adaptation of two flightless species of birds, the flightless cormorant and the penguins. We were very impressed to see how the cormorants’ body has changed into a more hydrodynamic shape, almost loosing all the feathers in their wings. If the evolution pattern of this bird goes in the same direction as penguins, then eventually these “wings” would transform into penguin-like flippers. Our guests had the opportunity to se how this bird, instead of flying, was walking and hoping over the lava rocks.
During the afternoon we had a nice and relaxing walk over the island of Fernandina; almost every step of the way we saw an endemic animal! Our guests were fascinated with the giant colonies of marine iguanas we encountered, and nobody could resist takeing another shot of the sea lions, especially when we encountered a cute baby only a few months old!
We all came back on board after a great time, and as we observed the horizon, we noticed the whales’ spout high in the air. Too bad the sun was setting when we saw them, but even then the view couldn’t get any better!
