The thing I miss most, as Expedition Leader on board Polaris, is the opportunity to jump into this crystal blue water, and be immersed amongst the spectacular wildlife the Galapagos Marine Reserve has to offer. Being on board as Naturalist allowed me to lead one of our deep-water snorkeling groups today, in what is probably the most awe-inspiring snorkeling experience the Galapagos Archipelago has to offer.
The small eroded cinder cone that makes up Champion Islet is bathed in the most amazing marine life, as the steep cliffs offer walls covered in black coral, that are home to myriads of reef fish, sharks, rays and turtles. The water conditions are close to perfect this time of year, with temperatures approaching 80°F, great visibility and virtually no currents.
Champion is home to large colonies of the Galapagos subspecies of the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus); and what better time of the year to catch these amazingly playful marine mammals than their equivalent to teenage years, about 5 to 6 months old? Just like adolescents of virtually every other animal species on this planet, they demonstrate an incredibly gregarious nature at this stage of their development, as well as an insatiable curiosity when it comes to strange creatures such as us, Homo sapiens, immersed in their environment.
The fact that they hang out in large numbers increases their boldness, and their favorite trick is to swim full-speed towards the oblivious snorkeler, in a rather aggressive fashion, before turning away at the very last moment. No matter that one is forewarned of this propensity, it still constitutes a heart-stopping experience, and one can just imagine the hilarity amongst the sea lion gang as they later on compare notes on our terrified facial expressions!
It was truly a joy to come once again face to face with these adorable animals, in an inter-specific interaction that could never, ever, become tedious or boring. Is it a wonder that one becomes addicted to the "Enchanted Islands"?
