Española Island
This morning we disembarked on one of the world’s most beautiful beaches (without a hotel on it). Numerous sea lions were sprawled and resting on the fine white sand. Others played in the surf, nursed and wrestled. The endemic mockingbirds hopped among us and pecked curiously at our backpacks. Our snorkelers and kayakers greatly enjoyed their respective outings and soon joined us on the beach. We had a couple of hours to stroll, relax, swim and watch the amusing antics of the most loveable inhabitants of the islands, the sea lion pups. Honestly, I don’t know who had more fun in the water this morning, the human or pinniped youngsters!
After lunch and siesta, we gathered in the lounge for a third and final discussion on evolution led by the Williams College lecturer, John Chandler. Meanwhile Naturalist Graciela assisted the dozen kids we have on board this week with their journal entries and illustrations. Later, the afternoon’s walk was fabulous; several guests commented that we had “saved the best for last!”
Grasping the helping hand of one of our trusty pangueros, we stepped out of the Zodiacs onto a cement dock at Punta Suarez. Brilliant Sally light foot crabs, snoozing sea lions and gaudy reddish marine iguanas were going about their everyday business scattered on the rocks and beaches. They totally ignored our presence. Even though we have been disregarded by the fearless wildlife all week long, we are not yet jaded, and it is quite a thrill to walk among the birds, reptiles and mammals of Española Island without disturbing them.
We followed the rocky trail through Nazca booby colonies, to an overlook of a blasting blowhole, and onto the flat rocky plateau where the waved albatross breed. We were delighted to see three fluffy grey chicks and dancing adults. A trio of birds, seemingly very intent on the courtship dance and trying to sort out their relationship, were the object of dozens of photos, comments and chuckles. What a wonderful final day in the magical Galápagos Islands!
This morning we disembarked on one of the world’s most beautiful beaches (without a hotel on it). Numerous sea lions were sprawled and resting on the fine white sand. Others played in the surf, nursed and wrestled. The endemic mockingbirds hopped among us and pecked curiously at our backpacks. Our snorkelers and kayakers greatly enjoyed their respective outings and soon joined us on the beach. We had a couple of hours to stroll, relax, swim and watch the amusing antics of the most loveable inhabitants of the islands, the sea lion pups. Honestly, I don’t know who had more fun in the water this morning, the human or pinniped youngsters!
After lunch and siesta, we gathered in the lounge for a third and final discussion on evolution led by the Williams College lecturer, John Chandler. Meanwhile Naturalist Graciela assisted the dozen kids we have on board this week with their journal entries and illustrations. Later, the afternoon’s walk was fabulous; several guests commented that we had “saved the best for last!”
Grasping the helping hand of one of our trusty pangueros, we stepped out of the Zodiacs onto a cement dock at Punta Suarez. Brilliant Sally light foot crabs, snoozing sea lions and gaudy reddish marine iguanas were going about their everyday business scattered on the rocks and beaches. They totally ignored our presence. Even though we have been disregarded by the fearless wildlife all week long, we are not yet jaded, and it is quite a thrill to walk among the birds, reptiles and mammals of Española Island without disturbing them.
We followed the rocky trail through Nazca booby colonies, to an overlook of a blasting blowhole, and onto the flat rocky plateau where the waved albatross breed. We were delighted to see three fluffy grey chicks and dancing adults. A trio of birds, seemingly very intent on the courtship dance and trying to sort out their relationship, were the object of dozens of photos, comments and chuckles. What a wonderful final day in the magical Galápagos Islands!
