Isabela & Fernandina Islands
We awoke this morning in the westernmost part of the archipelago at Isabela and Fernandina, the youngest islands geologically in the Galápagos. As we sailed around the tip of Isabela, we had the unique experience of seeing the inside of one of the shield volcanoes that surrounded us, the collapsed summit or caldera of Volcan Ecuador. The ash deposits or tuff and the layers of lava from the volcano created some amazing landforms. During our panga ride along this coast we explored a cave and heard the thunderous echo of the waves crashing through a narrow fracture in these volcanic rocks. Brown noddy terns and sea lions accompanied us on our journey into the dark abyss.
Our afternoon began with a snorkelling outing where we were surrounded by sea turtles of all sizes. It was truly incredible to float above them while they grazed on the algae. Our next adventure was on shore to visit the pristine island of Fernandina. Here we encountered flightless cormorants in all stages of their life cycle, from courtship and nest building, to the incubation of eggs and the competition for food between siblings. The birthing of sea lions had also just started on this island and we were fortunate enough to see some very young pups as well as a beach master protecting his territory. While strolling across the young lava flow along the coast, a Galápagos hawk landed near us and proceeded to tear apart and devour its prey, a lava lizard. Basking on the rocks under the golden rays of the late afternoon sun were piles of marine iguanas. Galápagos penguins rested on the lava and fed in the coastal waters. This amazing combination of wildlife, spectacular volcanic scenery and the remoteness of this part of the archipelago has made this another incredible day for us!
We awoke this morning in the westernmost part of the archipelago at Isabela and Fernandina, the youngest islands geologically in the Galápagos. As we sailed around the tip of Isabela, we had the unique experience of seeing the inside of one of the shield volcanoes that surrounded us, the collapsed summit or caldera of Volcan Ecuador. The ash deposits or tuff and the layers of lava from the volcano created some amazing landforms. During our panga ride along this coast we explored a cave and heard the thunderous echo of the waves crashing through a narrow fracture in these volcanic rocks. Brown noddy terns and sea lions accompanied us on our journey into the dark abyss.
Our afternoon began with a snorkelling outing where we were surrounded by sea turtles of all sizes. It was truly incredible to float above them while they grazed on the algae. Our next adventure was on shore to visit the pristine island of Fernandina. Here we encountered flightless cormorants in all stages of their life cycle, from courtship and nest building, to the incubation of eggs and the competition for food between siblings. The birthing of sea lions had also just started on this island and we were fortunate enough to see some very young pups as well as a beach master protecting his territory. While strolling across the young lava flow along the coast, a Galápagos hawk landed near us and proceeded to tear apart and devour its prey, a lava lizard. Basking on the rocks under the golden rays of the late afternoon sun were piles of marine iguanas. Galápagos penguins rested on the lava and fed in the coastal waters. This amazing combination of wildlife, spectacular volcanic scenery and the remoteness of this part of the archipelago has made this another incredible day for us!
