Española Island , 7/23/2023, National Geographic Endeavour II
Aboard the
National Geographic Endeavour II
Galápagos
Arriving at Gardner Bay on the northern coast of Española, we were greeted by Galápagos sea lions lazing upon the white coralline beach. Their playful antics captivated everyone as young sea lions frolicked in the shallows. Española mockingbirds flitted about the coastal area looking for sustenance. As we entered the water graceful green sea turtles glided past, while schools of vibrant fish darted through the rocky reef area.
Venturing inland at Punta Suárez, we found ourselves amidst an avian paradise. The waved albatross, with its awe-inspiring wingspan, danced gracefully on the cliffs — reaffirming Española Island's reputation as their sole breeding ground. It was a rare privilege to witness their courtship rituals and spot a small chick.
Further inland, the island's vast seabird colonies overwhelmed us with their diversity. Blue-footed boobies performed their signature mating dance; Nazca boobies and screeching red-billed tropicbirds graced us with their presence.
As we traversed the rugged terrain, we encountered Galápagos hawks with an active nest patiently observing their surroundings. Meanwhile, marine iguanas sunbathed nonchalantly; they are unique to this island and seemed undisturbed by our presence.
As our expedition drew to a close, we couldn't help but reflect on the unique and fragile ecosystem that Española Island shelters.
Growing up in northern California, Jason was surrounded by the incomparable nature of the Pacific Northwest. While attending university there, Jason met and eventually married an Ecuadorian woman who happened to be from a small group of islands off t...
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National Geographic Endeavour II rounds the north of Isabela to reach Fernandina, the westernmost island of the Galapagos and the youngest. Still navigating, we wake up to see the majestic shield volcanoes of these islands all around us. These waters are very rich in life of all kinds, from small creatures to large. Landing on Fernandina is like visiting a zoo where animals are everywhere except that there are no walls or cages. Packs of marine iguanas bask in the sun at every step, and sea lions chill on the sand and rocks. Later, we enjoy more wildlife on Isabela. We take a Zodiac tour to observe the imposing Ecuador Volcano. We celebrate as we cross the equator at the end of another wonderful expedition day.
The first melody of our journey was orchestrated on the serene and beautiful North Seymour Island, which greeted us with a dry landing and the varied harmonies of its enchanting inhabitants. The creatures here don’t just exist; they sing the songs of the island, songs etched with secrets of timeless love and whispers of the winds. It was not a universal chorus but rather a selective symphony, where the male frigatebirds were the primary composers, inflating their radiant, red pouches and filling the air with soulful calls to attract their mates. Each call was a vibrant note in the air, echoing the unspoken tales of the island. The blue-footed boobies, the graceful dancers of the island, were harmonizing with their symphony, their feet—a brilliant reflection of the boundless blue sky—whistling to the females soaring above. This was not merely witnessing; it was like being a part of a delicate courtship dance, where every call, every flutter, every dance step was a clandestine expression of love and attraction. The land iguanas were the silent spectators to this musical. Their distinct yellow bodies basked in the warmth of the rocks, seemingly aloof from the harmonic spectacle unfolding around them. Each sunray absorbed by them seemed to whisper another secret of the island, another tale of its timeless beauty. The sea lions, playful spirits, rested beside the rocks, their silhouettes perfectly etched against the rugged beauty of the islands. Their silent presence was a gentle reminder of the playful essence of nature, of the innocent joys that reside in the simple moments. The rhythm to this island symphony was provided by the click-clack of the swallow-tailed gulls. Each sound was a beacon, guiding their partners through the sea of creatures, a rhythmic whisper in the musical air, adding another layer to the intricate symphony of North Seymour. The next chapter of our expedition unfolded on the mesmerizing Rabida Island, where we were welcomed by the unique red sands with a wet landing. The oxidation of the sands painted the island in distinctive shades, creating a stunning tapestry against the pristine azure waters and opening up a spectacle of nature’s vivid palette. Our snorkeling adventure off the beach was like plunging into a living, breathing canvas of colors, where schools of tropical fish darted around, playing games of hide and seek among the rocks, and sea lions displayed their acrobatic grace in the water, reminding us of the boundless joy residing in nature’s heart. After the aquatic dance with nature, we retreated to National Geographic Endeavour II only to be lured again by the beckoning of a hidden lagoon, a sanctuary revealing the ethereal elegance of pink and white flamingos. Observing them in their realm, existing in perfect harmony, was like witnessing the exquisite balance and grace of life. It was a dance of shadows and lights, a melody of colors and sounds, painting the silent tales of the islands. As we made our journey back, the shores were painted with the sight of sea lions returning from their expeditions and females nurturing their young, a poignant spectacle in the raw beauty of the islands. Every sight, every sound was a whisper from the islands, a secret note in the symphony of North Seymour and Rabida, etching the timeless tales of nature in our hearts.
Today we visited South Plazas to the north of Santa Cruz and Bowditch Beach on the west side of Santa Cruz. The former is home to Galapagos land iguanas, which we observed feeding on prickly pear cacti and basking on rocks. We also observed a variety of seabirds and sea lions playing on the shore. Bowditch Beach was a great place to relax and observe the beautiful scenery on our last full day in the Galapagos.
