Santa Cruz Island
Coming back to Santa Cruz after a few weeks off is always a delight. After visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station we better understand the great efforts that this institution, along with the Galapagos National Park Service, make to carry out various conservation programs. It is their hope that one day they will achieve an ecological restoration of these islands. The captive tortoise rearing and breeding program, which we concentrated on today, began in 1965. Since then the number of small tortoises that have been repatriated to the different islands is simply remarkable. This of course does not mean that we only saw tortoises at the Darwin Station – we also saw them in the wild, yes sir, we surely did!
During our visit to the highlands in the afternoon we admired these wonderful ancient creatures. But the highlands of Santa Cruz are not only an attraction because of the tortoises. This is area were we have the opportunity to identify many different plants!
Both in the morning and in the afternoon there were many varieties that ranged from endemic to native to introduced species. Although the early settlers introduced many of these plants, the beauty of their flowers, even if introduced, is not diminished by this fact. Today’s photo demonstrates this.
The passion flower is one of the most attractive flowers found here. The name given to this flower goes back to the 16th century. The Spanish explorers were startled by the beauty of this vine and they thought of it as a symbol of the elements of the crucifixion. The crown represented Christ’s crown of thorns; the three stigmas, which receive the pollen, were the nails piercing His hands and feet; the stamens were His wounds; and the ten petals represented the Apostles (leaving Peter and Judas out for denying and betraying Him).
While exploring the Americas the Spanish discovered the presence of these vines in the southern part of the United States. Native Indians used the leaves to heal wounds. Today people have found a different use for this plant and think of it as a sort of an aphrodisiac. But be careful if you eat too much of the fruit because, instead of cheering you up, it may put you to sleep. In the late 19th century an herbalist found it to be a sedative.
Coming back to Santa Cruz after a few weeks off is always a delight. After visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station we better understand the great efforts that this institution, along with the Galapagos National Park Service, make to carry out various conservation programs. It is their hope that one day they will achieve an ecological restoration of these islands. The captive tortoise rearing and breeding program, which we concentrated on today, began in 1965. Since then the number of small tortoises that have been repatriated to the different islands is simply remarkable. This of course does not mean that we only saw tortoises at the Darwin Station – we also saw them in the wild, yes sir, we surely did!
During our visit to the highlands in the afternoon we admired these wonderful ancient creatures. But the highlands of Santa Cruz are not only an attraction because of the tortoises. This is area were we have the opportunity to identify many different plants!
Both in the morning and in the afternoon there were many varieties that ranged from endemic to native to introduced species. Although the early settlers introduced many of these plants, the beauty of their flowers, even if introduced, is not diminished by this fact. Today’s photo demonstrates this.
The passion flower is one of the most attractive flowers found here. The name given to this flower goes back to the 16th century. The Spanish explorers were startled by the beauty of this vine and they thought of it as a symbol of the elements of the crucifixion. The crown represented Christ’s crown of thorns; the three stigmas, which receive the pollen, were the nails piercing His hands and feet; the stamens were His wounds; and the ten petals represented the Apostles (leaving Peter and Judas out for denying and betraying Him).
While exploring the Americas the Spanish discovered the presence of these vines in the southern part of the United States. Native Indians used the leaves to heal wounds. Today people have found a different use for this plant and think of it as a sort of an aphrodisiac. But be careful if you eat too much of the fruit because, instead of cheering you up, it may put you to sleep. In the late 19th century an herbalist found it to be a sedative.
