Cerro Dragon, Santa Cruz Island
And so the day was rounded up by taking Zodiac rides close into shore along the rocky, barren lava of Venecia islet. But totally devoid of life it wasn’t. In this area, serious efforts by the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park have successfully allowed the resident population of land iguanas to establish themselves. Threats by introduced cats and dogs had this small population on the northwestern corner of Santa Cruz Island living on the brink of survival, however, the iguanas are doing well at this time.
What caught our attention dramatically during the boat ride was the presence of over 20 white-tipped reef sharks relaxing (until we came along) in very shallow water, on a light-colored sandy bottom. Clear as can be, beautiful, and harmless to us, even if we should be so lucky as to snorkel with them in the future!
And so the day was rounded up by taking Zodiac rides close into shore along the rocky, barren lava of Venecia islet. But totally devoid of life it wasn’t. In this area, serious efforts by the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park have successfully allowed the resident population of land iguanas to establish themselves. Threats by introduced cats and dogs had this small population on the northwestern corner of Santa Cruz Island living on the brink of survival, however, the iguanas are doing well at this time.
What caught our attention dramatically during the boat ride was the presence of over 20 white-tipped reef sharks relaxing (until we came along) in very shallow water, on a light-colored sandy bottom. Clear as can be, beautiful, and harmless to us, even if we should be so lucky as to snorkel with them in the future!
