While still navigating, we enjoy breakfast. Then, we celebrate the crossing of the Equator! After this, we find ourselves north of Isabela Island in a place called Punta Vicente Roca, named in honor of a former Ecuadorian President. Here we get ready and then take a Zodiac ride along the Ecuador Volcano shoreline. There, we were able to find many different species: Brown Noddies, Blue Footed Booby, Great Frigate Birds, Penguins, Marine Iguanas, Sea Lions and Flightless Cormorants. What a ride we had! Then we headed back to the National Geographic Islander so our guests could get ready for the snorkeling activity. Our explorers found different species of fish, but they especially enjoyed the Green Turtles and some Galapagos Penguins.
Once back onboard, the Captain pulled the anchor and began to navigate to our next destination, Fernandina Island. It is about 70 thousand years old and one of the active volcanoes of the Galapagos. It’s a very pristine island and there are no introduced animals.
After our guests enjoyed the view from the sky deck, we arrived to Fernandina. We got ready and went to explore this place. We had a dry landing on a pier made by the National Park Service, which is covered with red mangroves but clear enough that we can get comfortably through it. Along the hike we found hundreds of the largest endemic Marine Iguanas that have adapted in different ways to feeding underwater. We also found Sea Lions, some Flightless Cormorants and more Iguanas. We also got to see a Galapagos Hawk that was perching on a rock surrounded by Marine Iguanas (the hawk’s main source of food), but was not interested at all. However, the poor Marine Iguanas were very stressed about its presence.
We also found a couple of Flightless Cormorants nesting. The female was incubating the eggs she laid and the male next to her was providing company at that moment. It is very important for both of them to take care of the nesting because overheating could be a disaster. They need to alternate so they can cool down and feed themselves. If they follow this they are going to have a happy life.
There goes another day on the unique Galapagos Islands, where we got to find very unique landscapes, fauna and flora that have adapted to these conditions. As the sun sets and we find ourselves back on the National Geographic Islander. The night arrives and our great expedition leader is briefing our guests about the adventures that await tomorrow.
