No one expects what a first full day can offer us here in Galapagos. North Seymour appears to be an arid and drab island; however it holds many surprises as we land and head inland. Magnificent and great frigate birds patrol the coast as they catch updrafts of wind and search for their next meal. Razor surgeonfish swarm in schools along the coast and swallow-tailed gulls float upon the wind. Hiking inland we find a forest of apparently dead trees - however these incense trees simply await the first major rains and have a strong odor of oozing resin. Almost immediately we find a land iguana resting upon the rocks, blending in quite well as frigatebirds hover overhead. Magnificent and great frigatebirds nest on the short vegetation and croton trees and large juveniles sit upon the loosely formed nests.
Hiking inland further we find an occasional male frigatebird with an inflated gular pouch trying to attract a passing female. Blue are the feet of the boobies we find, with a pair of small male lava lizards vying for territory making a bustle of movement nearby. The volcanic origins of the island are apparent as we continuously balance ourselves over lava boulders along the path before coming to a coralline sand coastal area. Lazing Galapagos sea lions are found under vegetation, on the sand, and draped over basalt boulders, with newborns constantly looking for their mothers and the rich milk they provide. A loud reunion is heard as a mother returns from her foraging and finds her young pup. As we return to the ship most appear to be overwhelmed with the density of life found here and are eager for our next visitor site.
We face Rabida Island in the afternoon and observe the deep red coloration of the iron oxide mixed among the lava formations. We start water activities as a group kayaks along the coast, encountering pelicans and blue-footed boobies plunge diving as they feed on small fish. Snorkelers are treated to an abundance of different species. Large schools of black striped salemas surround us as we free dive, with anchovies nervously avoiding larger predators nearby. We find a marine iguana diving and feeding on a verdant diet of algae and several spiny lobsters waiting for the night under large rocks. A white-tipped reef shark slowly passes by and we notice scorpion fish completely cryptic as they rest on top of large boulders a few meters below.
As the sun dips quickly towards the horizon we land on the “red” island. Walking between the sea lions with the warmth of the sunset upon them we spot a small male vermillion flycatcher flitting among the white Palo Santo trees and salt brush. Marine iguanas and sally lightfoot crabs feed on the exposed algae with the foam of the ocean surrounding them as waves break along the coast. All will agree it has been a wonderful day here among the diversity of the Galapagos.
