Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos
Today our expedition exploring the Galápagos Islands makes a brief return to civilization with a visit to Santa Cruz Island. After breakfast we go ashore at Puerto Ayora, the capitol of the Galápagos and home to 15,000 inhabitants. Here we make a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station for a chance to meet the endangered giant Galápagos tortoises, and also hear about the important research programs and conservation projects conducted by the Station. We spend time photographing these amazing creatures at close range within their enclosures. Perhaps not surprisingly, the photo workshop guests among the group had to tear themselves away from Lonesome George and the other charismatic tortoises in order to make it to our special lunch ashore in time.
During the afternoon we have the opportunity to explore the highlands of the island. The “do-it-all” explorers first hike through the forest on the pit craters trail, then meet up with the rest of the group for the tortoise search down on the ranch. A few intrepid explorers also explore a short lava tube hidden in the forest. Our efforts are rewarded as we discover dozens of tortoises happily grazing in the open meadows. Naturally, everyone with a camera took photo after photo of the tortoises at very close range. And one of the groups is treated to an appearance by the colorful vermilion flycatcher.
But what is most amazing about the day is having the extraordinary opportunity to sit still, watching and listening to animals in their natural habitat. It’s moments like this that make the Galápagos so special, with memories that will last a lifetime.
Today our expedition exploring the Galápagos Islands makes a brief return to civilization with a visit to Santa Cruz Island. After breakfast we go ashore at Puerto Ayora, the capitol of the Galápagos and home to 15,000 inhabitants. Here we make a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station for a chance to meet the endangered giant Galápagos tortoises, and also hear about the important research programs and conservation projects conducted by the Station. We spend time photographing these amazing creatures at close range within their enclosures. Perhaps not surprisingly, the photo workshop guests among the group had to tear themselves away from Lonesome George and the other charismatic tortoises in order to make it to our special lunch ashore in time.
During the afternoon we have the opportunity to explore the highlands of the island. The “do-it-all” explorers first hike through the forest on the pit craters trail, then meet up with the rest of the group for the tortoise search down on the ranch. A few intrepid explorers also explore a short lava tube hidden in the forest. Our efforts are rewarded as we discover dozens of tortoises happily grazing in the open meadows. Naturally, everyone with a camera took photo after photo of the tortoises at very close range. And one of the groups is treated to an appearance by the colorful vermilion flycatcher.
But what is most amazing about the day is having the extraordinary opportunity to sit still, watching and listening to animals in their natural habitat. It’s moments like this that make the Galápagos so special, with memories that will last a lifetime.
