Española Island

This morning we went to Española Island, one of the oldest islands in the archipelago. There we saw, you guessed it, MORE BIRDS. The 3rd largest boobie nesting area is there, where the Nazca boobies were by the 1000s. These have white bodies with a black mask across their eyes. Then we went to one of my favorite spots that we’ll see this week (you’ll probably hear me say that multiple times – they’re all true). This is the only island in the world were the waved albatross nests. They are absolutely beautiful, both on land and in flight.

Our first day here

After a very long trip to Guayaquil, Ecuador and a short nap upon our arrival, 80 very tired people arrived in the Galapagos Islands yesterday! It seems that plane delays are pretty routine these days, but being on island time makes all of those worries seem years away. As we landed on the island of Baltra that morning, I was reminded of how much I love this place. It truly is magical. The day was hotter than I remember from this time last year, but by the time we were on our first excursion (to North Seymour Island) the day had cooled down and a gentle breeze was blowing. There are so many birds on this island! Swallow-tailed gulls, great and magnificent frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies dominate the area. Of course there’s the token sea lion and crab, but the birds stole the show today. It’s mating season for the frigates, with their bright red pouches inflated on their chest and blue-footed boobies, who have a great dance and whistle to woo the ladies and show up the other males.

male great frigatebird