Española Island
The oldest of the Galápagos chain at 4-5 million years old, Española is only sixty square kilometres. This small island contains over fifteen different species of seabirds and land birds.
The entire breeding population of waved albatross visit Española to mate and reproduce. Today we were met by some of the chicks that were on the island while their parents went fishing. An interesting feature of the albatross, according to scientific research, is that they are one of the few species of seabirds that can sleep while in flight. The variation in temperature of the changing winds wakes them up as they approach land.
After the traditional Ecuadorian buffet and a short siesta, we started activities. Glass bottom boat groups went first, after them we departed for our deep water snorkel. It was absolutely superb; schools of black stripe salemas, razor surgeon fish, scorpion fish and a couple of big beautiful spotted eagle rays filled our afternoon with surprises. For some of us it was the first time seeing a shark get scared of us, instead of the other way around.
We ended our busy afternoon with a pleasant walk on the beach of Gardner Bay!
The oldest of the Galápagos chain at 4-5 million years old, Española is only sixty square kilometres. This small island contains over fifteen different species of seabirds and land birds.
The entire breeding population of waved albatross visit Española to mate and reproduce. Today we were met by some of the chicks that were on the island while their parents went fishing. An interesting feature of the albatross, according to scientific research, is that they are one of the few species of seabirds that can sleep while in flight. The variation in temperature of the changing winds wakes them up as they approach land.
After the traditional Ecuadorian buffet and a short siesta, we started activities. Glass bottom boat groups went first, after them we departed for our deep water snorkel. It was absolutely superb; schools of black stripe salemas, razor surgeon fish, scorpion fish and a couple of big beautiful spotted eagle rays filled our afternoon with surprises. For some of us it was the first time seeing a shark get scared of us, instead of the other way around.
We ended our busy afternoon with a pleasant walk on the beach of Gardner Bay!
