Genovesa Island
Today we visited one of the most beautiful islands of this enchanted archipelago. This genuine jewel on the crown, known as Tower or Genovesa Island, is located in the northeastern part of the Galápagos. It is a very interesting time of the year to visit this paradise, because the weather is changing rapidly. The rainy season has started; we had some heavy but quick rains yesterday and today in the morning as well. We have been waiting for this refreshing and invigorating rain. With the arrival of the rainy season, land birds like Darwin finches, mockingbirds and Galápagos doves will have more food supply that will help them to reproduce and successfully survive. This small island (only 5.4 square miles) is slowly turning green, and we can hardly wait to see it in the coming days, the vegetation turning green and lush.
During our morning walk behind a beautiful white coralline beach, we observed many red-footed boobies. Adults, medium size chicks and also very little chicks were the delight of their observers. These colorful and peaceful-looking marine birds were favorites for many of our guests. We also observed some few male frigates starting to show their bright red gular pouches. This is the beginning of the mating season for frigates. In the afternoon, we offered many options for our visitors. Some guests went kayaking, others went snorkeling, and all had a wonderful time. Some people decided to walk on Prince Phillips’ steps located on the eastern side of the island. The geological setting was spectacular, a soft warm light enhanced the intrinsic beauty of the many Nazca boobies and the thousands of wedge-rump storm petrels found on this site of the island. We were lucky to spot several short-eared owls during the walk. Most of them were seen using binoculars, but one of them was spotted very near the trail. This sighting was great! The bird quietly observed us while we were taking pictures. A beautiful sunset marked the end of our magical day on Genovesa Island.
Today we visited one of the most beautiful islands of this enchanted archipelago. This genuine jewel on the crown, known as Tower or Genovesa Island, is located in the northeastern part of the Galápagos. It is a very interesting time of the year to visit this paradise, because the weather is changing rapidly. The rainy season has started; we had some heavy but quick rains yesterday and today in the morning as well. We have been waiting for this refreshing and invigorating rain. With the arrival of the rainy season, land birds like Darwin finches, mockingbirds and Galápagos doves will have more food supply that will help them to reproduce and successfully survive. This small island (only 5.4 square miles) is slowly turning green, and we can hardly wait to see it in the coming days, the vegetation turning green and lush.
During our morning walk behind a beautiful white coralline beach, we observed many red-footed boobies. Adults, medium size chicks and also very little chicks were the delight of their observers. These colorful and peaceful-looking marine birds were favorites for many of our guests. We also observed some few male frigates starting to show their bright red gular pouches. This is the beginning of the mating season for frigates. In the afternoon, we offered many options for our visitors. Some guests went kayaking, others went snorkeling, and all had a wonderful time. Some people decided to walk on Prince Phillips’ steps located on the eastern side of the island. The geological setting was spectacular, a soft warm light enhanced the intrinsic beauty of the many Nazca boobies and the thousands of wedge-rump storm petrels found on this site of the island. We were lucky to spot several short-eared owls during the walk. Most of them were seen using binoculars, but one of them was spotted very near the trail. This sighting was great! The bird quietly observed us while we were taking pictures. A beautiful sunset marked the end of our magical day on Genovesa Island.
