Three sites that I have visited in times past but never cease to amaze me were North Seymour Island, with its nesting areas for the great and magnificent frigatebirds, Fernandina Island, where we watched two flightless cormorants performing their mating ritual, and Santiago Island with its numerous tidal pools and marine iguanas.
From the zodiacs off Isabela Island, we watched sea lions catch fish and brown pelicans competing to take them from the sea lions at the water’s surface.
New places included a hike from Tagus Cove on Isabela Island to a hilltop to look “Darwin’s Lake.” During a snorkel at Buccaneer Cove off Santiago Island, we saw three manta rays and several sharks.
Our last full day was spent at San Cristobal Island. A beautiful beach at Point Pitt was the starting point for a hike up to a lookout filled with Sesuvium portulacastrum that was a vibrant red. Speaking of red, this was also where I saw my first red-footed booby in the distance. Such odd looking creatures they are! One of our destinations next week should have numerous of these birds so I’m hoping to have images of them soon.
We ended the day with a snorkel at Leon Dormido, a striking islet offshore. This area had golden rays, lots of Pacific green sea turtles as well as numerous hammerheads and Galapagos sharks.
I'm often amazed at my continued amazement of this unique place and all the life that it holds. As passengers head for home, I am reminded how fortunate I am to be staying one more week. More to come....
