We’ve seen thousands – probably more along the lines of
millions – of animals here these past two weeks. The last few days have been an incredible finale for the
trip. While sea lions and iguanas
have been important players in the full story, we closed out the trip with
birds. And when I say birds, I mean BIRDS.
Penguins whizzed around beneath us at Bartolome and Sombrero
Chino Islands. They occasionally
came up to check us out too.
Our last full day was spent on Genovesa, a jewel of an
island on the northeast side of the archipelego. We anchored the ship inside a caldera underneath a myriad
of frigatebirds, red-footed and Nazca boobies, swallow tailed gulls and red
billed tropicbirds.
Once again we were very close to the beautiful male
frigatebirds with their inflated gular pouches.
Red footed boobies flew around us gathering nesting materals
while others sat on newly laid eggs.
We saw tenderness with a Nazca booby mom and chick and just
down the trail watched another two in an intense fight.
Coming here is something I don’t tire of. Each trip is unique….I’m already
looking forward to being back later in the year.
Ciao – for now.
