To the north of the large island of Santa Cruz and far from the inhabited part is Dragon Hill, with remarkable variety in both flora and fauna.
After a wet landing on a rocky terrain we come across a white sandy beach surrounded by black basaltic rock. All of this combined with the greens and reds of the plants give the place an outstanding mosaic of color. Of course this area is also inhabited by animals like sea birds, marine iguanas, lava lizards, shore birds among others including fish in tide pools.
Behind the beach we encountered a brackish water lagoon in which flamingoes find the favorite food, a microscopic shrimp called Artemia Salina which gives them the remarkable pink color on their feathers. Here they share with other birds likes ducks, stilts and occasionally waders and shore birds.
A red trail, due to presence of iron on the rocks, takes us through a Palo Santo forest which is without leaves at this time due to lack of rain and looks gray. Finally we reach Dragon Hill where land iguanas can be seen at any time of the year. Large iguanas mostly yellow in color are the highlight of the excursion here.
After coming back onboard we get ready for the new adventure, this time along the walls of a small island called Guy Fawkes for snorkeling. Here live different types of fish, sea lions, sharks and sometimes rays.
In the afternoon we move to a different island called Eden to go on a Zodiac ride along the coast for animals like birds or marine life in the mangroves growing along the shore. Turtles and baby sharks, rays and sea lions inhabit these areas.
To conclude this lovely day we navigate around the island of Daphne Major where science found the perfect scenario for the studies of finches over some decades.
The sun sets behind the island, with birds and other animals around. We see another fantastic day come to an end.
