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| Baby Booby |
Last night the seas were pretty rough as we sailed to Hispanola Island. Our boat is a motor cat so even though it was noisy as it bounded through the waves, the rocking motion seemed rough, but nothing slid from the bed tables on to the floor. We were glad to sleep in our beds while the crew tended the boat.
We awoke this morning anchored of Hispanola Island. Our group took a walk around the island form 8:00 to 11:00. It was hot, sunny, and humid. The walk was not long, but the morning dragged on in the heat. There is very little shade on any of these islands, and I started looking at my watch wondering how long we had to endure.
We saw some new marine iguanas today that are red, green and red and green.
Our guide Andres called these the Christmas Iguana. We watched the females digging holes for their nests and fighting one another for nesting territory, as the sweat rolled down o
ur faces and backs. Even the Iguana were seeking shade under the rocks.
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| Christmas Iguana Meets Godzilla |
Our guide Andres called these the Christmas Iguana. We watched the females digging holes for their nests and fighting one another for nesting territory, as the sweat rolled down o
ur faces and backs. Even the Iguana were seeking shade under the rocks.
The primary reason for coming to this island is to see birds, specifically the Galapagos Albatross. We saw some black footed Boobies, Galapagos doves,
mocking birds, warblers, and one or more of the 15 species of finch.
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| Black Footed Booby |
mocking birds, warblers, and one or more of the 15 species of finch.
The male albatross come usually in March and early April to find a nesting location for his female mate. We hiked to the area known as the landing strip where we expected to see hundreds of male albatross and saw nothing! Our guide said the birds were unusually late this year...climate change, El Nino? He told us about the birds, and how if the eggs get too warm in the hot sun, the Albatross know the egg is not viable and will abandon the egg.
By the time we reached the far side of the island, we finally spotted a couple of male Albatross.
Their wing span is 2-3 meters. When wings are folded they look quite bulky. The first male we saw looked a little bewildered by the absence of other birds of his feather. He finally tired of sitting on what he thought might be an appropriate nest, stretched his wings, and jumped over the cliff to soar away.
Their wing span is 2-3 meters. When wings are folded they look quite bulky. The first male we saw looked a little bewildered by the absence of other birds of his feather. He finally tired of sitting on what he thought might be an appropriate nest, stretched his wings, and jumped over the cliff to soar away.
We returned to the boat at 11:00. Russ and I stripped off our steamy, sweaty clothing, and jumped in a cold shower.
After lunch and siesta, we went snorkeling in an area called Gardners cove. What a terrific deep water snorkel we had today. We saw sea turtles, rays, giant parrot fish, Mexican Hogg fish, giant blue damsels, and two reef shark.
Our snorkel was on a rocky island, with caves. We were able to swim into one of the caves and the variety and volume of fish in the shade of the cave was impressive!
Our snorkel was on a rocky island, with caves. We were able to swim into one of the caves and the variety and volume of fish in the shade of the cave was impressive!
After our morning in the sun, and our snorkel in the sun, Russ and I opted out of beach time and stayed on board to do laundry and read in the late afternoon.
We leave tonight in a little while for San Cristabol Island where we hope to see some red footed boobies tomorrow. Tomorrow will be our last full day on Galapagos as we will be leaving on Sunday and returning to Quito for a couple of days before returning to stateside.
All is Well with the Worrall Travel Rs in the Galapagos Islands
